Railways Africa NewsXpress: Week 04:2024
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2024 Business Forecast: Tech-Driven Optimism Meets Rising Geopolitical Challenges
Despite the challenges of 2023 and escalating geopolitical tensions, business leaders remain surprisingly optimistic for 2024, according to new research from Economist Impact and DP World – unveiled during the World Economic Forum. Great insight is offered in the report regarding African trade, as well as logistics and the continued trend toward greener more sustainable transport.
Dakar Electric Buses And Next Steps For TER
On Sunday, January 14, the Senegalese capital celebrated the commissioning of its electric Bus Rapid Transit (e-BRT) network. SYSTRA reports that it has been involved in this project since the preliminary stages, acting as project management assistant to the Dakar Urban Transport Executive Council (CETUD).
The entire journey now takes 45 minutes, compared with more than twice that time previously. It’s an ambitious project, but also an inclusive one, since the stations are adapted for people with reduced mobility (PRM) and protected from traffic flows, to ensure passenger safety. An estimated 300,000 passengers are expected to make use of the system daily.
The Senegalese authorities’ next step towards sustainable transport is the restructuring of Dakar’s network of 32 feeder bus routes, again with SYSTRA, to reorganise services around the BRT and the TER -regional express train, to encourage modal interconnections.
SYSTRA has supported the creation of phase 1 of the TER in 2021, equipped with the most modern systems (ERTMS 2 signalling, dual diesel-electric engines, etc.), followed by the e-BRT network from 2018 to 2024.
Inauguration Of Six New Stations For The Cairo Metro
The Cairo Metro Line 3 has undergone significant expansion with the inauguration of six new stations and a new terminus, with SYSTRA’s contribution. This extension, funded by the European Investment Bank (EIB), extends the line to the Ring Road encircling the city. It now serves the densely populated Imbaba district, providing fast and direct access to Cairo’s historic city centre, international airport, and other metro lines.
Faiçal Chaabane, Senior Vice President of Egypt & North Africa Executive Director, expressed pride in this development milestone. The Cairo Metro, used by nearly 4 million passengers daily, is a crucial mode of transport in the Egyptian capital. These new stations are expected to alleviate surface car traffic and improve life for local residents.
Since 2016, SYSTRA has been the General Consultant for Phase 3 of Line 3. Their role included reviewing execution studies and supervising the entire project, encompassing civil engineering, system installations, and the commissioning of rolling stock.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board Completes the Third Review under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement for the Republic of Mozambique
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the Third Review under Mozambique’s three-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. The Executive Board’s decision allows for an immediate disbursement of SDR 45.44 million (about US$60.7 million), usable for budget support, bringing Mozambique’s total disbursements under the ECF arrangement to SDR 204.48 million (about US$273 million). The three-year ECF arrangement aims to support Mozambique’s economic recovery and reduce public debt and financing vulnerabilities while fostering higher and more inclusive growth through structural reforms.
International: Request For Expression Of Interest To Be Part Of A Possible Large-Scale Testing Of 100 DAC Pre-Deployment Trains In Europe (2026-2028)
Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail) invites the European Rail Freight Sector, its Customers and other stakeholders to openly express their interest to be part of the needed phase of large-scale testing of DAC technology (Digital Automatic Coupling for freight trains incl. DAC based applications) in 100 pre-deployment trains according to the DAC General Master Plan.
World Bank Group Statement On Debt Restructuring Agreement For Ghana
The World Bank Group welcomes the agreement in principle on the key parameters of the proposed debt restructuring for Ghana reached by the Official Creditors’ Committee under the G20 Common Framework. This agreement, which is consistent with the Joint WB-IMF Debt Sustainability Framework, represents a critical milestone toward restoring debt sustainability in this country.
“This agreement will help unlock financial support by international financial institutions, including a US$300 million budget support operation supported by IDA, which will be considered by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors next week. This will help Ghana in its recovery, attracting investments and restoring a sustainable growth path,” said Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for Western and Central Africa.
The Resilient Recovery Development Policy Operation is the first in a series of three operations totalling US$900 million and part of a broad World Bank engagement in support of crisis response and resilience in Ghana. The country implements US$ 4.3 billion in commitments from the World Bank through national and regional projects focused on private sector development and jobs, inclusive service delivery and sustainable resilient development.
Africa Global Logistics Kenya Secures Strategic Land Allocation At Naivasha Special Economic Zone
Africa Global Logistics (AGL), a prominent player in Africa’s transport and logistics sector, has recently been allocated 20 acres of land at the Naivasha Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by the Government of Kenya. In an event presided over by the President of Kenya, H.E William Ruto, saw the issuance of Special Economic Zone licenses to AGL and other investors.
This strategic initiative by the government emphasizes the crucial role that Special Economic Zones play in catalysing industrialisation and fostering the development of domestic supply chains. The move is geared towards promoting and facilitating international trade by simplifying customs procedures and encouraging seamless intra–intra–Africa trade.
Qalaa Holdings Not Building Railway Lines in Africa
Following recent media reports that Egypt’s Citadel (Qalaa Holding), would be implementing a railway line between Tanzania’s Dar Al-Salaam Port and Burundi, passing through Rwanda’s Kigali, as well as, a line between Kenya’s Mombasa Port and Uganda. The company has responded officially saying that Qalaa had invested in a railway project in Kenya & Uganda but exited that investment several years ago. Qalaa will follow the disclosure requirements, as it always does, if and when it decides to reinvest in that field.
Lucchini South Africa Welcomes 2024 Learners: A Commitment to Empowerment and Skills Development
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