A new era of Railways: Ethiopia's path to interconnectivity and economic growth
Ethiopia, steeped in history, has a rich legacy in modern transport. The Chemin de fer Djibouti-Ethiopian (CDE), a meter-gauge line spanning 781 km, was built between 1897 and 1917, demonstrating the country’s early engagement with railway infrastructure. Its locomotives have evolved from coal-powered to diesel, mirroring the country’s progression.
After a long hiatus, the Ethiopian government re-established the railway sector, marking the dawn of a new era. Established on November 28, 2007, the Ethiopian Railways Corporation (ERC) is tasked with developing railway infrastructure, providing passenger and freight rail transport services in Ethiopia, and engaging in related activities crucial for its objectives.
Engineer Hilina Belachew, the CEO of the Ethiopian Railways Corporation, emphasized the crucial role of railway network development in the nation’s progression and prosperity during the recently held Continental Workshop for the Africa Integrated High-Speed Railways Network (AIHSRN). Belachew stated, “For Ethiopia, the development of a high-speed railway network is both very timely and important. It will alleviate the burdens of our people and solve many of the logistical problems we face daily. As we all understand, the logistic cost for developing countries is very high. Our recent study estimated that the cost for logistical activities alone is nearly 45%, which directly increases the cost of commodities for end-users. I believe that rail can connect the entire continent. I believe that together, we can.”
Under the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP I& II), the ERC has planned an ambitious national railway network expansion. From the existing 650 km Standard Gauge Railways (SGR), the ERC aims to expand the network to 3999 km within the next decade. The original plan envisaged eight routes emanating from the center of the country, spanning 5060 km.
The new network is strategically planned to interconnect developmental economic corridors, integrate regional governments with the central government, link potential agricultural, industrial, and mining centers with market centers, and connect the country to neighbouring countries and ports. This development aligns with various African railway transport master plans and is part of the One Belt, One Road initiative.
Project Progress
Completed & Operational Projects:
Addis Ababa/Sebeta-Meiso-Dewanle Railway project Addis Ababa Light Rail
Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Project
The Addis Ababa/Sebeta-Meiso-Dewanle Railway project has been fully operational since January 2018. It was contracted to two Chinese companies, China Railway Group Ltd (CREC) and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), in an EPC/Turnkey model. The project cost amounts to 1,841,000,000.00 USD for the CREC contract (317 km with 10 stations) and 1,401,800,000.00 USD for the CCECC contract (339 km with 6 stations).
The operational performance of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti SGR has shown a marked improvement in passenger and freight transportation since the Covid pandemic.
The Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit Project began in January 2012 and was completed on December 31, 2015. Commercial operations started in January 2016. The project, spanning 34 km with 39 stations, was executed at a contract amount of 475m USD. Passenger transportation has shown steady growth from 2016 to 2022.
On-Going Projects:
Awash-Kombolch-Hara Gebeya/Woldia Railway project Hara Gebeya/Woldia-Mekelle Railway project Awash oil Depot unloading facility & Connection
ERC is at the forefront of Ethiopia’s rail development efforts, spearheading several large-scale ongoing construction projects.
Among these is the Awash-Kombolcha-Hara Gebeya/Woldia railway project. Contracted to the Turkish company YAPI Merkezi Construction & Industry Inc., this 392 km railway promises to significantly enhance regional connectivity. Despite some delays, the project has progressed considerably, with the first phase nearing completion and the second phase showing substantial progress, having achieved 92.83% of its completion.
The second ongoing project is the Hara Gebeya/Woldia-Mekelle railway project, led by China Communication Construction Company (CCCC). Despite some setbacks, this 220 km rail line project has reached 57% completion. These ongoing projects underline Ethiopia’s commitment to developing an effective, modern, and efficient railway network.
Near-Future Projects
The Ministry of Transport has plans for four ambitious projects aimed at connecting Ethiopia to its neighboring ports. These upcoming projects underscore Ethiopia’s strategic intent to bolster its export capabilities and improve its access to international markets.
The first project is the Weldiya-Wereta-Gonder-Metema-Galabat-Gadarif-Kassala-Haiya-and-to-the-Port-of-Sudan railway. With a detailed bankable feasibility study already complete, this 1512km railway will span two countries and provide Ethiopia with a crucial trade route to the Port of Sudan. The alignment then passes through the towns of KulfAmba, Istayish, Gashena, Filakit, DebeZebit, Debre Tabor, Wereta, Addis Zemen, Azezo (south of Gondar), Sereba, Maganan and finally Matemma on the Ethiopian side, covering about 594km. On the Sudanese side, the alignment begins at the Gallabat border crossing town and runs parallel to Highway 21 between Gallabat and Al Qadarif, passing through the towns of Doka, Humra, and Kassala to Port Sudan, covering 918km. The detailed bankable feasibility study has been completed with finance granted from AfDB.
The second project, the Modjo-Bulbula-Shashemene-Hawassa-Sodo-Arbaminch-Konso-Moyale railway, is expected to extend 1701km to connect Ethiopia’s central regions to the Kenyan port of Lamu. Once completed, this railway will significantly enhance the trade potential of the Southern, Sidama, Southwest, and Oromia regional States of Ethiopia. A pre-feasibility study has been conducted and the ERC is awaiting a detailed bankable feasibility study. The length of track on the Ethiopian side is 873km, and it is 828km for Kenya.
The third project is the Diredawa–Harar-Jigjiga-Togo Chale (Ethio-Somali Border) – Hargessa- Port Berbera railway, with a total length of 425km. The ERC is already communicating with stakeholders in order to move forward as it is considered a “quick” project – 200km on the Ethiopian side and 225km for Somali. Pre-feasibility studies have been completed.
The fourth project is the Hara Gebeya-Mile-Semera-Bure railway to Port Assab in Eritrea, with a total length of 500km. The port has seven deep sea berths with an overall length of 1025m, offering additional strategic routes to seaports.
These projects represent not only significant milestones in Ethiopia’s infrastructure development but also underscore the country’s determination to foster regional integration and economic cooperation.”
Capacity Building Initiatives
In addition to significant infrastructural development, the ERC is investing in human capital through capacity-building initiatives. The corporation is establishing a fully-fledged Railway Academy aimed at fostering talent and advancing research in the railway sector. This academy represents an ambitious drive to cultivate local expertise and reduce dependency on foreign skills in railway operations and maintenance.
Overseas scholarships have been offered to Ethiopian students for higher education in countries such as Russia, China, and the UK, demonstrating the global scope of these capacity-building initiatives. Furthermore, the ERC’s partnership with institutions like Beijing Jiaotong University signals a profound commitment to nurturing a new generation of railway engineers and technicians, thereby securing the future of Ethiopia’s railway sector.
Conclusion
Ethiopia’s railway network has come a long way since the Chemin de fer Djibouti-Ethiopian of the early 20th century. The country’s rail infrastructure has evolved considerably, transitioning from the age of coal and diesel locomotives to the era of electric-powered Standard Gauge Railways.
With its strategic plans and ongoing initiatives, Ethiopia is clearly on a transformative journey to becoming a regional hub for railway transport. The ambitious projects undertaken by the Ethiopian Railways Corporation reflect not only Ethiopia’s vision of an interconnected national network, but also its commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and fostering economic growth.
Indeed, the railway is not just about transport. It’s about connecting people, cultures, and markets and contributing significantly to economic growth.
