Railway transport is a mature industry in the developed world, which is experiencing a remarkable comeback after a period of decline. The rediscovered allure of railways is underpinned by its capacity to move huge volumes of freight or passengers in an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly way. Nevertheless, in many countries railways are still struggling to transform themselves from subsidy dependant legacy companies to more efficient commercial undertakings.
With a few exceptions (mainly in the RSA and Northern Africa), African railways clearly lag behind those of most other regions in the world. Rail transport has faced the same constraints and challenges as elsewhere. But, poor economic, technological and institutional conditions have further aggraveted the situation in Africa. The result is outdated infrastructure, sometimes approaching a point of no return. The operations are clearly below international standards.
The transport sector can accelerate and intensify trade in Africa. Rail transport in particular, as a result of its energy efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower cost per ton kilometer, is expected to play an increasingly important role in the conveyance of freight over long distances. In comparison to other means of transportation, railways are particularly useful in mass transit systems for both inter-city and urban settings.
However, according to a research conducted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the current condition of existing railways infrastructure and rolling stock is poor in many African countries. This shortfall has undermined the potential of the rail systems to play a strong contributing role in economic development. In fact, rail transport market share in most countries on the continent is below 20% of the total volume of freight transport. Two of the major reasons, cited to account for this situation, are: the lack of investment in infrastructure and the absence of a supporting institutional framework. Rail transport is inevitably critical to supporting economic development and, unless this mode of transport is developed, Africa may not realize its full potential in exploiting its abundant natural resources and wealth.
As compared to other African countries Ethiopia has made a great leap in terms of railway transport developments both in the capital and other transport lines of the country. It has built the 756 kilometers long railway which links Addis Ababa with Djibouti, and the Addis Ababa Light Railway which is connecting different corners of the capital to the center and transporting thousands every hour. There are also other huge projects on the pipeline both in the capital and other areas of the country as part of the country’s endeavor to boost the share of railway in addressing the ever increasing need for mobility.
Among others, the Addis Ababa Light Railway Transport (AALRT) has attracted attentions of different African countries with the vision to develop the same in their respective countries and capitals. Being the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa, the AALRT has so far gathered Africans from the diplomatic, academic and other corners envisaging different purposes. From the inception of the construction to its current status of service provision, it has become the only symbol of knowledge and skill transfer for Africans aspiring to make the same technology and infrastructure in their countries.
A delegation led by President of Madagascar, Hery Martial Rajaonarimampianina Rakotoarimanana, arrived here in Addis to visit the AALRT in Jan. 2018, as one of the participants of the global green growth week participants hosted by Addis. After having a glimpse at the different parts of the light railway, the president commented that it can be taken as a symbol to countries who endeavor to have a similar climate friendly infrastructure. He also appreciated the role it is playing in easing business in the ever-expanding capital by transporting laborers from far outskirts of the capital both within a short span of time and fair cost. Together with the President were Madagascar’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Prof. Djacoba Alain Tehindrazanarivelo, and Foreign Minister, Henry Rabary-Njaka. They indicated that the overall installation, operation and service supply system of the AALRT, which is emission free, can be exemplary in terms building transport that is compatible with green growth both at continental and global levels.
The AALRT is also hosting researchers from different African countries attending trainings in academic fields related to railway development in particular and mechanical engineering in general at the Addis Ababa Institute of Technology. These students have benefited from drawing tangible knowledge and skill during the overall operation of the light railway transit system. Visitors from Eritrea, Kenya, Djibouti and other Eastern African countries have also arrived recently for the same purpose. They unanimously admired the impact the light railway transit has brought on the overall image of the city and lives of dwellers who travel from longer distances that are hardly accessible to other means of transport.
High level Sudan officials led by General Abdulraheem Mohamed Hussein, Mayor of Khartoum City, also have visited the Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Service recently. They visited the transit center and expressed that they have taken many lessons to be useful as an input during the implementation of a similar project in their country.
The 34 kilometers long railway with 39 stations for passengers to board and take off, has now escalators, lifts and stairs that are easily accessible for people with disabilities, old age and other limitations. It has also maintenance centers situated at Ayat and Kaliti, areas in the outskirts of the capital where the railway traverses. The maintenance center is responsible to ensure sound functioning of all components of the AALRT and the maintenance of rolling stocks, construction vehicles, signaling and communication equipment, ensure normal operation of automation and network equipment. Passengers can travel up to 8 kilometers only with 2 birr. The tickets could be bought in any of the stations and the payment system is expected to be electronic in the near future.
The light railway is already playing a role in the development of areas far from the center of capital not only by easing mobility but also by fostering trade and other economic exchanges between the center and the periphery. These and other positive roles played by the AALRT, coupled with the expansion of railway lines that have the potential to interconnect other areas of the country and with other neighboring countries, have made Ethiopia become one of the centers for Africans from where knowledge, experience and skill needed for the commencement of similar projects can be taken.
Taking advantage of its expanding hydropower and other renewable energy capacity, Ethiopia is building an extensive system of electric railways to ease urban traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions and pollution. The government says that without the new railways, overall carbon dioxide emissions from transport would grow by 800 percent to 40 tons a year by 2030. The country’s new overall rail capacity will reduce road traffic enough to cut expected annual greenhouse gas emissions from transport to just under 9 tons by 2030. These and other aspirations of Ethiopia to develop climate resilient green economy have attracted other Africans longing for the same.
The Addis Ababa light railway could be taken as one of the most successful joint Ethio-China ventures that need to be expanded to other urban corners of Africa. Success in this venture is also getting more reflected also via the Addis–Djibouti railway, connecting the landlocked country to the maritime trade routes of the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
Many visitors from Africa said that the light railway system in Addis Ababa provides unusual scenery, a unique example of mass public transport in sub-Saharan Africa. Financed by a Chinese loan, constructed by a Chinese company, and operated with China-made trams, the light rail project is truly a symbol of enhanced China-Africa cooperation. Lagos, Nairobi and Lusaka are among the capitals that are planning to implement the same project soon, following the footsteps of Addis Ababa.
Undoubtedly, China has built much-needed transport infrastructure that can increase connectivity within the capital, and which in turn can contribute to a higher level of integration into the national economy. This urban rail has also started to attract investments close to the lines. Apartments, malls, businesses, and condos are being built, changing the landscape and revitalizing entire districts and helping small businesses, as well. This is not surprising as such a major infrastructure project can frequently function as core or pole of development encouraging other sectors to boost.
African cities and megacities will have to find a solution to their growing challenges deriving from rapid urbanization. The Addis Ababa light railway case can serve as an example of how such investments can change the outlook of a city. As the first historic metro system in sub-Saharan Africa, it is going to attract more attention from other countries that have a vision to reap the benefits of such infrastructure in the near future.
In a nutshell, the newly opened urban metro has changed the way many people in Ethiopia's capital get to work. One would not imagine having such an infrastructure in a sub-Saharan city like Addis. The tangible positive effects that it has brought on the lives and daily working activities of people and positive other socio-economic impacts witnessed from the outset have compelled many Africans to turn their eyes and draw important lessons helpful to make the same real in their urban centers. With more railway lines on the pipeline to connect more corners of the capital, the seat of the African Union and many other international organizations is going to an exemplary spot for other Africans to follow its footsteps.