Investing in Africa's Railways for sustainable development
The Southern African Railways Association (SARA) is pleased to announce the forthcoming annual Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for 20-23 August 2024 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg. This year’s event, themed “Boosting Continental Trade via Rail: Investments in African Railways for the Sustainable Development of the Continent,” aims to spotlight the critical role of railways in driving economic growth, enhancing trade, and promoting sustainable development across Africa.
Africa’s vast and diverse landscape presents unique challenges and opportunities for trade and development. The continent’s economic vitality and cross-border unity are significantly dependent on efficient trade mechanisms, which are currently hampered by logistical and infrastructural challenges. The 2024 conference theme underscores the importance of railways not just as a mode of transport but as a fundamental backbone for continental trade and development.
Railways offer a transformative solution to reduce transportation costs, enhance market accessibility, unlock competitiveness, and lower the environmental footprint of trade logistics. Investment in rail infrastructure, technology, and services represents a commitment not only to the physical tracks and trains but to fostering economic growth, regional integration, and a sustainable future for Africa.
The event will highlight how such investments provide unparalleled opportunities for landlocked nations, support the creation of economic communities, and contribute towards achieving the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This initiative aims to unite the 55 countries of the African Union and eight Regional Economic Communities in creating a single market, thereby enabling the free movement of goods and services across the continent.
A key focus will be on the ongoing development of the Southern African Trade and Transit Programme, including the Southern African Regional Railway Master Plan. This strategic initiative seeks to strengthen the region’s trade and transportation framework, showcasing the railway sector’s role as a foundational pillar for development.
The conference and exhibition will serve as a prime platform for showcasing the latest in railway technology, new projects, and significant procurement opportunities. These initiatives are set to link the region and reshape its transport network, highlighting the potential of rail to boost continental trade and contribute to Africa’s sustainable development.
SARA extends an invitation to businesses to strategically position themselves in what is currently the continent’s fastest-growing sector. This presents a unique opportunity to build, maintain, finance, manufacture, and supply to a sector with the largest global order book for rolling stock and new rail builds.
