The African Union Commission’s (AUC) Department of Infrastructure and Energy (DIE) is set to introduce a series of initiatives designed to increase capacity in the railway sector across the African continent.
The initiatives are supported by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), which contributes to the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (Pida).
One of the main goals is the establishment of a continental framework for technology transfer. This initiative aligns with the goals of the Global Just Transition Initiative, which aims to develop comprehensive railway development guidelines. These guidelines will be adapted to an African context and aim to improve the technical and policy aspects of railway development.
The Railway Development Guidelines for Africa will include technical and policy considerations and a range of other issues - from evaluating railways within intermodal transport systems to procurement processes and project implementation.
Collaboration with the International Union of Railways (UIC) to implement a roadmap for an African Continental Railway Market is also on the table.
The roadmap, inspired by the 3rd session of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee on Transport, Transcontinental and Interregional Infrastructure and Energy hosted in June 2022, includes ten actions with goals to revive the railway sector on the continent.
The collaboration between the AUC and UIC will result in a range of improvements, including the inauguration of a collaborative continental railway development platform, the rejuvenation of the African Union of Railways to oversee the implementation of continental railway standards, and assistance in the creation of a railway regulatory framework in Africa.
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