Ethiopian 2,516 km rail project starts

[John Ashworth]

ETHIOPIAN 2,516KM PROJECT STARTS

Railways Africa on March 29, 2011 in Ethiopia

Transport minister Deriba Kuma has told the Ethiopian House of Representatives Transport Committee that engineering and design activity has commenced on the 2,516km railway construction project, which is expected to take five years to build. Work is being undertaken by both local and foreign contractors.

In addition, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with China Railways Group Limited (CREC) to build a 36.5km light rail line in Addis Abeba. About 85% of a loan will be secured from the Chinese Exim Bank, the balance to be funded by the Ethiopian government.