CTBL-WATCH AFRICA ISSUE 19 | JULY 2015

CMA CGM GROUP CONNECTING TO THE WORLD! Full Story On Page 5

TMEA, UNCTAD Ink Pact To Uganda: Northern Corridor World Bank Clears US$100M Boost East African Trade 09Integration Projects 21For Ivorian Trade Corridor 23 CTBL-WATCH AFRICA ISSUE 19 | JULY 2015

Contents

03 | Corridor Review

05 | African Group News

Group Offers Weekly Connections To - From Zambia / Suspension Of CTBL Services To Northern Mali / Zimbabwe: Consignment-Based Conformity [CBCA] Program To Commence

09 | Eastern & Southern Africa

Regional: TMEA, UNCTAD Ink Pact To Boost East African Trade / Northern Corridor Transport & Transit Cargo Tracking System Botswana: Heavy-Haul Study Nearly Complete Ethiopia: Modjo-Hawassa Highway Project Kenya: Dongo Kundu Bypass To Link Mombasa Port / Construction Of 4-Lane Arusha-Holili-Taveta Road Commences : Government To Open Nacala Corridor In August / Malawi Nets US$1 Billion In Prospective Investments At Trade Forum : Trans-Orange Corridor Revival Gathers Steam Rwanda: Rwanda Targets US$1.2 Billion Foreign Investment In 2015 / Private Sector Bodies To Strengthen Ties Tanzania: Dar-Kigali Cargo Moving Faster / Deal Signed To Ease Cross-Border Road Transport / Border Posts Law Endorsed / Optimism High As Holili/Taveta OSBP Opens / Transport Sector Support Program - Tabora Koga Mpanda Road / Upgrading Of Mtwara-Newala-Masasi Road / Tanzania Adopts Import Levy To Finance Railway Projects South Africa: R298 Road Section Rehabilitation Begins / Transnet In R2.8 Billion Deal With Germany’s KfW / Transnet Seeking Investors After Securing Deals / Construction Of Gauteng Rolling Stock Factory / African Rail Exhibition / Transnet Aims To Lease Branch Lines To Private Sector Uganda: Northern Corridor Integration Projects - New Standard Gauge Railway Zambia: Tanzanian Port Authority Opens Liaison Office In Lusaka / ZAMBRA Monitors Nakonde Border / -Mchinji Line To Be Linked To TAZARA / Grindrod To Fund Rail Link

23 | Western Africa

Angola: Regains Status As Vital Corridor Cote d’Ivoire: World Bank Clears US$100 Million For Trade Corridor / Bloléquin-Toulépleu - Tabou-Prollo Road - Mano River Union / NRE Locomotives Arrive In Abidjan / Abidjan Metro Line 1 Gambia: US$46.3 Million For Laminkoto-Passimas Road Liberia: Somalia Drive Road Project Resumes After Ebola : High-Speed Line To Open Spring 2018 / Africa’s First High Speed Train Delivered Nigeria: Fourth Mainland Bridge Proposed To Lagos Deep Seaport / Plans To Construct 10-Lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway / Rehabilitation Works On The Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

1 CMA CGM Marseille Head Offi ce The African Inland Freight Report 4, Quai d’Arenc 13235 Marseille cedex 02 France Brought to you by CMA CGM / DELMAS Marketing Tel : +33 (0)4 88 91 90 00 www.cmacgm.com Website: www.delmas.com Email: [email protected] Disclaimer of Liability Tweet: @DelmasWeDeliver CMA CGM / DELMAS make every effort to providep and maintain usable, and timely information in this report. No responsibilityp is accepted for the accuracy, completeness, or relevance too the user’s purpose, of the information. Accordingly Delmas denies any liability for any direct, direct indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a Rachel Bennett Dominic Rawle result of relying on any published information. Conclusions drawn from, or actions undertaken on the basis of, such data and information are the sole responsibility of the reader.

Events Diary

July 2015 22-24 FESPA Africa / Africa Print (Johannesburg, South Africa) http://www.fespa.com/calendar/fespa-events/fespa-africa-2015.html

27-28 6th Mozambique Coal Conference (Maputo, Mozambique) http://www.informa-resources.com August 2015 3-5 African Ports Forum (, South Africa) http://www.dredgingtoday.com News Briefs

Western Africa Eastern & Southern Africa

BENIN BOTSWANA - Premier African Minerals has been awarded new - Shumba Coal announced plans to develop a solar power exploration tenements in central Benin with rights held station to produce up to 200MW in NW where copper by its 100%-owned subsidiary G&B African Resources mines are sprouting up. Benin SARL. LESOTHO CONGO - Diamond development company Paragon Diamonds has - Potash company Elemental Minerals has completed a entered into a share purchase agreement with Canada’s A$4.98m private placement to fund a bankable feasibility Lucara Diamond Corp for the $8.5m buy-out of its study at its Kola project and a prefeasibility study at its interest in the Mothae kimberlite resource. Dougou potash project. NAMIBIA NIGER - Namibia Rare Earths has started work on an - Niger has won backing of US$83.51m to relocate people environmental-impact assessment for the Lofdal project. from proposed hydroelectric dam site - Kandadji project - underway since 2008, but work stalled after a dispute TANZANIA with the original partner. The project is now set to be - China Shandong Electric Power Construction No 2 completed in 2017. Company held 1st in a series of in-country meetings into the workings of Edenville Energy’s coal-to-power project. NIGERIA Sepco2 is a potential partner to the project. - The BTG Group Nigeria Limited to construct a large scale precast factory to help develop Nigeria housing market - ZAMBIA in Onitsha, Anambra State. It has already placed an order - A new hydropower plant to be built on the Luapula River of precast machinery from Weiber GmbH; a Germany by Zambia & DRC to help boost power generation. based engineering and manufacturing company for the precast concrete industry. ZIMBABWE - Chinese Mortal Investments Manufacturing Company SIERRA LEONE is to construct a cement manufacturing plant worth - 30 Dutch companies completed a 3-day trade mission US$10m in Redcliff. to Sierra Leone organized by the Ministry of Trade and - Yakushuku Manufacturing has showed interest in Industry in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Investment the construction of a US$25m cotton ginning and and Export Promotion Agency (SLIEPA). manufacturing plant in the Redcliff region.

2 CTBL AFRICA CORRIDOR REVIEW

Eastern & Southern Africa

Corridor Current Situation 1 ● Kenya-Great Lakes/S. Sudan The rail line between Kampala and Mombasa is running well with an estimated transit of 10 days.

We offer extensive CTBL services throughout Kenya backed by a deal negotiated with Rift Valley Railways [RVR], the operator of the Kenya-Uganda Railways, we are able to offer very competitive and reduced rates to the ICD Embakasi, Nairobi from Mombasa port, Kenya. However due to numerous derailments between Mombasa and ICD Embakasi, RVR has stopped containers with 10% and more imbalance of cargo - can proceed with a survey and the rebalance of cargo.

Our ASEA KENYA service, providing direct weekly services from Asia to Mombasa, enhances our inland solutions to domestic Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, eastern DRC. We also offer routes to the North Kivu region in eastern DRC and new connections through Mombasa port to Beni, Butembo and Kisangani, towns all lying on the main national route N4.

A New reefer solution is available from Nairobi to Mombasa by road. 2 ● Tanzania-Great Lakes With a new improved ASEA TANZANIA service we offer direct weekly service from Asia to Dar Es Salaam enhancing inland solutions to the heart of DRC, Burundi, Rwanda. Roads from Dar Es Salaam to North Rwanda and DRC [Goma / Bukavu / Uvira are in good condition.

Bookings to Burundi have reopened following political tensions. We can offer a road service to Bujumbura via the port of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania in around 22 days. Be advised additional charges may apply as a result of tensions and instability pre/post the presidential elections [now postponed to 21st July]. We anticipate further delays during this time. These costs will be on the account of the shipper. 3 ● Tanzania-Copper Belt Roads through Mbeya offer an alternative to the train to Ndola. We are the only line to have an owned office in Lubumbashi which closely monitors the local situation. The corridor from Dar Es Salaam to Lusaka, Copper belt & Lubumbashi is safe and offers competitive rates and transit times.

Our local agent is working with local hauliers to further improve this. With an improved ASEA TANZANIA service we offer direct weekly service from Asia to Dar Es Salaam enhancing inland solutions to Malawi and Zambia. 4 ● Mozambique Nacala Corridor The corridor is running well offering excellent transit times and no congestion. 5 ● Mozambique Beira Corridor New rail solution in place Beira-Harare. CMA CGM will indemnify client from further liability should any port storage incur on the units to be railed. 6 ● Mozambique Maputo Corridor Competitive solutions available to Zimbabwe by rail from Maputo-Hwange. There is no port storage invoiced if shortage of wagons in Maputo. 7 ● S. Africa Durban New competitive rates available to Lusaka & Copperbelt [Zambia], Lubumbashi [DRC] and Gaborone [Botswana]. We have extended our South African inland reefer service from/to the port of Durban to Johannesburg. Extension of all other over border trucking rates. 8 ● Namibia Walvis Bay We can offer a routing solution for export CTBL cargo from Zambia to Namibia. The route along the Trans-Caprivi Corridor links Zambia with the Port of Walvis Bay via the Katima Mulilo bridge border crossing. Export solutions are available from DRC and Zambia to Walvis Bay for dry and reefer equipment. The corridor to Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola & Lubumbashi in south DRC are running well. We also offer !

3 Western Africa

Corridor Current Situation 1 ● Senegal-Mali We are only able to accept cargo for Southern Mali destinations. For safety reasons traffic to Northern Mali [Kignan, Ségou, Mopti, Sevaré, Gao, Kidal, Menaka, Ansongou, Tessalit, Timbuktu] via Dakar are temporarily suspended. 2 ● Senegal-Guinea Bissau The corridor remains open but due to the Ebola crisis the border process and status will be checked on a case by case basis before booking. 3 ● Cote d’Ivoire-Burkina/Mali The rail service from Abidjan is running well offering excellent transit times and no congestion. We also recommend the road option. Furthermore the Group is to launch a new reefer service from Abidjan to many new inland destinations. 4 ● Ghana-Burkina Tema-Ouagadougou service is now available as an additional option. The Tema corridor to Burkina is now the most competitive pricewise, with excellent transit time from Asia with AFEX service. Our expert TBL team is now in place and fully involved for all your booking requests. 5 ● Togo-Burkina/Niger Service is running well. Thanks to good volumes and on-going negotiations with suppliers we have decreased our Ouagadougou rates from Lome. We can also offer excellent solutions from Asia on our AFEX service. Please note that the port of Lome is strict on enforcing weight regulations for trucks. 6 ● Cameroon-Chad Rail delays faced as CAMRAIL, the operator, is experiencing congestion in Douala & N’Gaoundere stations. We suggest cargo is moved via our road TBL service. 7 ● Cameroon-CAR Douala-Bangui is open on a case by case basis with agreement from our local Douala Agency. Political security is not 100% on this corridor. 8 ● Gabon Corridor From Libreville, we serve domestic destinations by road to Franceville, Lambarene, Mouila, Bitam, Moanda, Mitzicand Makokou. 9 ● Congo Corridor Pointe Noire- corridor is REOPENED on a request basis. 10 ● DRC Corridor Matadi-Kinshasa service is slow due to congestion and delays at Pointe Noire.

4 CMA CGM / DELMAS AFRICAN GROUP NEWS

Group Offers Weekly Connections To / From Zambia CMA CGM / DELMAS connects all continents to landlocked Zambia on a weekly basis. We provide an extensive coverage of Zambia through 4 main corridors: Beira [Mozambique], Dar Es Salaam [Tanzania], Durban [RSA] and Walvis Bay [Namibia]. These services provide flexibility of routings to avoid congestion and maximise transit times. We can offer secured door delivery by truck to Lusaka, Livingstone, Kitwe, Ndola, Solwezi, Chipata and many other small cities (Chingola, Kabwe, Kaoma, Kapiri Mposhi, Mansa, Petauke, Siavonga, etc). Dar Es Salaam New Routing Solution Now Available Via Walvis Bay

Following negotiations with service providers we opened our new routing solution for export CTBL cargo from Zambia to Walvis Bay, Namibia, in May 2015. The route along the Trans-Caprivi Solwezi Chipata Corridor links Zambia with the Walvis Bay port Ndola Kitwe via the Katima Mulilo bridge border crossing. The Port is operated by the Namibian Port Lusaka Authority [Namport] and serves as a gateway linking Southern Africa’s major trading regions to international markets. Through this new service Livingstone we are able to provide integrated and customized logistics solutions for all your cargo needs. Beira Total Transport Solutions For XXL, Out Of Gauge Cargo, Walvis Bay Break Bulk & Project Cargo

CMA CGM/DELMAS can offer total transport solutions for XXL, Out of Gauge Cargo [OOG], Break Bulk and Project cargo. We have been a renowned African specialist handler for many years and as such we offer Durban the technical expertise, secure handling and knowledge to help you move your project cargo safely and efficiently. We can move anything from spare parts to bulky factory components, massive turbines to cable reels. We have decades of working in close contact with ship planners, stevedoring companies and independent surveyors. To optimize space utilization we rely on our expert ship planners to produce optimized stowing plans and our team works closely with freight forwarders and shippers to provide flexible, tailored made solutions and personalized customer service at all stages. Group Attends Zambian ZIMEC Exhibition

On June 18-19th CMA CGM/DELMAS participated in the 5th edition of the Zambia International Mining & Energy Conference & Exhibition [ZIMEC] in Lusaka, Zambia. Alongside 300 exhibitors, our local expert team manned our booth, presenting commercial export/import lines to/from Zambia as well services for the transport of goods and mineral ores. This exhibition provided an opportunity to strengthen CMA CGM/DELMAS ties with regional customers such as Konkola Copper Mines, Mopani Copper Mines, Zesco and Greenroad, as well as to make contact with new potential clients.

5 Advice: Zambian Inspection Rules - Verification of Conformity PVoC

SGS and Bureau Veritas/BIVAC were appointed by the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) for the pre-export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) of products before shipment and according to 3-routes of verification:

- Route A - applicable to any good and any trader - Route B - for frequent traders of homogeneous goods that have been registered by Bureau Veritas - Route C - for manufacturers who had their goods licensed for Zambia

The aim of the program is to establish a quality import inspection regime that is in harmony with member states of the East African Community [EAC].

Contacts

SGS Inspection Service Ltd Flat No 2 of Plot No 32254, Thabo Mbeki Road, Lusaka, Zambia Tel: +256 966 999 459 / E-mail: [email protected] Datasheet: http://www.sgs.co.uk/~/media/Global/Documents/Technical%20Documents/Technical%20Datasheets/ SGS-PCA-ZM-Datasheet-A4-EN-12.pdf

Bureau Veritas/BIVAC Plot 35991 - Thabo Mbeki Rd, Mass Media - Lusaka, Zambia Phone: +260 976 280 288 / +260 961 280 280

6 CMA CGM / DELMAS AFRICAN GROUP NEWS

Suspension Of CTBL Services To Northern Mali For safety reasons all intermodal CTBL traffic to Northern Mali [Kignan, Ségou, Mopti, Sevaré, Gao, Kidal, Menaka, Ansongou, Tessalit, Timbuktu] via Dakar is temporarily suspended. Bookings remain open to the destinations in Southern Mali. We offer transit times of around 12 days by road from Dakar port in Senegal. For further information, please contact your usual local agent.

Tessalit Kidal

Timbuktu Gao Menaka Dakar Fana Diolla Mopti Ansongou Sevaré Koulikoro Kita Ségou Koutiala Bamako Karangana Bougouni Sikasso Koumantou Morila Kignan

Zimbabwe Consignment-Based Conformity [CBCA] Program To Commence

The Zimbabwe Government had signed on 16th March 2015 a 4-year Consignment-Based Conformity [CBCA] contract with a French global company, Bureau Veritas. The contract is for the provision of pre-shipment services of the listed products in the country of export and issuance of certificates of conformity based on the national and international quality, safety, health and environment standards in line with the World Trade Organisation [WTO] agreements.

After some delay the pre-inspection on all imports will now commence on 27th July 2015 for a transitional period with full implementation on 1st November 2015. All consignments will have to be verified prior to being shipped to Zimbabwe. Any consignment on the category list not accompanied with the required CBCA certificate will be refused from entering the country. [Government 16/07/15]

7 Come And Visit Us! Mozambique: FACIM 2015 Come and visit us at our stand at the 51th edition of FACIM from August 31st to September 6th 2015 at the SOGEX Showground, Maputo, Mozambique. FACIM, Feira Internacional de Maputo, is a multi-sectorial trade fair held in Mozambique organized by the Institute for the Promotion of Exports [IPEX]. The event is the largest trade show in the country and seeks to facilitate contact with international exhibitors and stimulate consumption and economic integration across the Mozambique economy.

8 EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA CORRIDOR NEWS

East Africa TMEA, UNCTAD Ink Pact To Boost East African Trade

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development [UNCTAD] and TradeMark East Africa [TMEA] have signed a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] to boost trade in East Africa. The MoU signed in Geneva, Switzerland, will help to boost regional trade through collaboration trade and gender, trade facilitation, including customs automation and trade portals and improving port infrastructure. The partnership reinforces UNCTAD capacity to assist East Africa in the implementation of trade enhancing reforms.

Currently, East Africa’s trade corridors are characterised by long transit times and high costs. Freight costs per kilometre are more than 50% higher than costs in the United States and Europe and for the landlocked countries, transport costs can be as high as 45% of the value of exports. [Daily News 03/07/15]

Northern Corridor Transport & Transit Cargo Tracking System

The African Development Bank [AfDB] in partnership with the Northern Corridor Transport and Transit Coordinating Authority is inviting consultants to study the implementation of Regional Cargo Tracking System [RECTS] on the Northern Corridor to enhance trade facilitation through improved transit management. The study over 4-months commencing August 2015, will enable member states, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC], Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, to have a clear roadmap on implementation of the RECTS taking into consideration transit and transport challenges faced by the region.

The study will include analysis of the existing national electronic cargo tracking systems to evaluate their effectiveness and how the development of RECTS could leverage these. It will look at the possibility of interfacing the same for the purpose of a continuous cargo tracking from first port of entry to destination and review current transit and border management approaches and recommend how the RECTS could address such challenges. The study will recommend a suitable Information Communication technology solution to be used by the region for cargo tracking including legal and governance frameworks and provide an operational modalities, cost estimate, a roadmap for implementation and propose a sustainable financing model for its implementation. [AfDB 06/07/15]

9 Malawi Government To Open Nacala Corridor In August

The 1,200 km line that connects to the Central East African Railway (CEAR) rail will officially open in August. Minister of Transport, Francis Kasaira, noted technical engineers have conducted a test on the railway and have submitted the findings to stakeholders. government is expected to export and import 4 million MT of goods on the railway from Nacala port in Mozambique. The gauge line extends from the Zambian border at Mchinji in the west via Lilongwe to Blantyre and Makhanga in the south. At Nkaya Junction it links with the Nacala Corridor line going east via Nayuchi to Mozambique’s deep water port at Nacala on the Indian Ocean. [Malawi 24 09/07/15] Malawi Nets US$1 Billion In Prospective Investments At Trade Forum

Malawi’s first ever investment forum netted more than US$1 billion in prospective investments with officials hoping the amount would rise to US$10 billion once all proposed deals were concluded. The forum, which attracted 150 international investors from the United States, Asia and Europe. Projects include the construction of a highway from Blantyre Central Business District (CBD) to Chileka International Airport via Mbayani, Chemusa, Chirimba and Kameza Townships amongst others. Malawi, is trying to move away from dependence on Western donors who are withholding budget support following revelations of corruption in 2012. The country is dependent on tobacco as its main foreign exchange earner but the global anti-smoking lobby is hurting its earnings and crippling the fragile economy. [Reuters 02/07/15]

10 EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA CORRIDOR NEWS

Namibia Trans-Orange Corridor Revival Gathers Steam

The revitalisation of the Trans-Orange Corridor by Namport in collaboration with the Walvis Bay Corridor is gathering steam. Namport held a meeting with stakeholders at Keetmanshoop to highlight the importance of the corridor in line with the 4th National Development Plan [NDP4] in making logistics and transport and their spin-offs of the major industries in Namibia. Plans to expand the Lüderitz port are in progress. Talks with a manganese company based in the Northern Cape province of South Africa to export its minerals through the port are also progressing well. Namport is in discussion with the private sector to secure funding for the port expansion and talks with the ministry of environment to acquire land for the port expansion is also progressing well. [Namibian 02/07/15] Rwanda Rwanda Targets US$1.2 Billion Foreign Investment In 2015

Rwanda aims to increase foreign direct investment in 2015 to US$1.2 billion and to grow that annually by 20%. This ambitious target is a fourfold jump on 2013 levels [US$257 million] but is helped by a new investment code that offers tax breaks and other incentives.

World Bank rankings show Rwanda is one of the easiest places to do business in Africa, after Mauritius and South Africa, but the country has struggled to meet past investment targets. While setting up a new business is simple, running an operation can soon prove challenging, investors say. Some complain that state-backed firms squeeze out competition.

Rwanda has been aiming for double digit economic growth. Although it has not attained that level, the economy managed 7% in 2014. Rwanda published a new investment code in the official gazette in May, outlining incentives that included a 7-year corporate tax holiday to firms investing at least US$50 million, of which 30% was equity in strategic sectors. These include manufacturing, tourism, health, information technology, other export- oriented industry and energy projects. [Reuters 02/07/15] Private Sector Bodies To Strengthen Ties

The Private Sector Federation [PSF] and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry [KNCCI] agreed to strengthen trade co-operation to spur economic growth between the 2-countries. Both will work on co-operation modalities especially to take advantage of the regional market to promote trade and investment. Private sector representatives from Rwanda and Kenya are also expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] that will foster accountability, enhance collaboration and trade partnerships between firms. Both moves should boost Rwanda’s export volumes. Rwanda’s exports to the EAC reached US$131.6 million in revenues in 2014 an increase of 7% on 2013. Main exports are dominated by tea, hides and skins, coffee and horticultural products. Rwanda imported US$546 million in 2014 up 5.9% from US$516.39 million in 2013.

A forum is due to take place this month to facilitate business-to-business [B2B] engagements, while taking advantage of available trade and investment opportunities within the East African Community [EAC]. The meeting, in Kigali, is expected to attract 200 business leaders, experts and policy-makers providing an opportunity to resolve barriers to trade and exploit opportunities presented by regional integration. [New Times 03/07/15]

11 Tanzania Dar-Kigali Cargo Moving Faster

Transit cargo from Tanzania to Rwanda is now taking 3-4 days down from almost 10-days, following the installation of Weigh-in-Motion [MIN] technology at Vigwaza, in Coast Region which allows the weighing of a truck while it is in motion. The technology has many advantages in terms of utility and efficiency over the traditional approach of static weighing. The government is planning to install and operate other scales at Mikese in Morogoro region, Manyoni in Singida and at Nyakanazi in Kagera. It is also planning to reduce the number of weighbridges from 9 to only 3 on the 1,267 km Dar es Salaam-Rusumo route on the Tanzania-Rwanda border. [Daily News 02/07/15] Deal Signed To Ease Cross-Border Road Transport

On June 20th Tanzania and Zambia signed 2-bilateral agreements to facilitate cross- border road transportation. Tanzania’s Finance Minister Saada Mkuya and Zambia’s Minister for Transport, Works, Supply and Communication Yamfwa Mukanga signed the agreements on regulation of cross border trade and the other on passengers road transport, and promised a smooth transport environment between Dar es Salaam and Lusaka.

The new agreements are aligned to the Southern African Development Community [SADC] model road transport agreements and replace one signed in 1999 with the aim of overcoming the bottlenecks of road transport also called non-tariff barriers.

The agreements seek to improve efficiency of permit issuance, border control procedures and the operation and maintenance of transport and trade databases. They will set up a framework for granting road carriers the right to carry goods between and/or in transit through the two countries in accordance with the laws and regulations. The agreements will also safeguard against abuse of road transport infrastructure and to recover infrastructure costs.

Dar es Salaam port is the gateway into East and Central Africa through the central corridor of transport that connects Tanzania with Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC], Uganda and Kenya. The road transport agreements aim at facilitating trade through Tunduma/Nakonde, the busiest border in Tanzania in terms of traffic from Dar es Salaam port to landlocked countries. In 2013/14, Zambia transported 1.86 million tons of cargo through Dar es Salaam port and Tunduma border. [Xinhua 21/06/15]

12 EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA CORRIDOR NEWS

Zambia Tanzanian Port Authority Opens Liaison Office In Lusaka

The Tanzania Ports Authority [TPA] have launched a liaison office in Lusaka to serve the Zambian business community using the Dar es Salaam port. The office is located at the Tanzania High Commission complex. The Zambian business community will be able to solve their queries in Lusaka instead of travelling to Dar es Salaam. Benefits include localised online cargo tracking and tracing, issuance of bills, payment of charges and trucking services under the Tanzania Truck Owners Association [TATOA]. [Guardian 02/07/15] ZAMBRA Monitors Nakonde Border

The Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority [ZAMRA] has opened an office in Nakonde in Muchinga Province to help curb the importation of sub-standard drugs. The decision is aimed at protecting citizens from fake drugs that are imported through the Tunduma-Nakonde border. [Daily Mail 07/07/15]

13 EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA DRY PORTS & OSBP

Tanzania Border Posts Law Endorsed

The Tanzanian National Assembly has endorsed the One- Stop Border Posts Bill 2015 with a view to enhancing cooperation in border control operations and to expedite movement of goods and people at border posts. The law, once approved, will apply both in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. The move makes provision for the establishment of One-Stop Border Posts [OSBP] through agreements entered into between Tanzania and neighbouring states. It also makes various provisions for operations of OSBP’s, including operations of control zones and exclusive use areas, mandating powers to take action against offences which have occurred outside Tanzania and within the control zone.

The border posts under the operations of this law include Namanga, Holili, Rusumo, Mutukula, Horohoro and Kabanga. These posts will become efficient as customs and immigration checks, among other border operations, will be conducted in a ‘common control zone’ that would eliminate the current practice that involves checks on both sides of a border between 2-states.

East African member states have already enacted The East African Community [EAC] One-Stop Border Posts Act, 2013, which provides the legal framework for the operation of border posts of 2-partner states under one roof. Tanzania has also entered into agreements with non-EAC states Malawi and Zambia to establish OSBP, but the agreements could not be implemented due to lack of legal guidelines to oversee the proposed posts. The proposed bill provides for general provisions including those relating to OSBP’s established pursuant to the EAC One-Stop Border Post Act, 2013. [Daily News 27/06/15] Optimism High As Holili/Taveta OSBP Opens

Cross-border traders between Tanzania and Kenya sigh with relief as crossing the border at Holili and Taveta posts has been simplified after opening of One Stop Border Post [OSBP] arrangement in early June. Though trade volume has not yet increased since the facility began operation the volume is expected to pick up with the onset of the harvest season in northern highland regions of Tanzania and completion of construction of a 110 km Voi-Taveta Road which links Kenya to northern Tanzania expected in 2017. The road is part of the Mombasa-Voi-Taveta-Arusha road which is one of the alternative transport corridors in the East African Community region, linking the Northern Corridor at Voi, 160 km East of Mombasa, to the Central Corridor at Dodoma and Singida via Arusha.

The OSBP working hours will be reviewed for 24 hr operations which will lead to a reduction in the total average time it takes to clear cargo at the border post by 30% as well as reducing regional transport costs. According to a baseline study of 2011 it takes an average of 27 hours to clear a cargo truck from Kenya at the Taveta border post. The OSBP project will reduce this to 19 hours. The same study showed it takes 6 hours and 40 minutes to clear a truck from Tanzania at the Holili post. Under the project, the time will be reduced to 4 hours.

Under the OSBP model, traffic crossing the border need only to stop at one post where all border agencies are brought together under one roof for improved efficiency through streamlined, coordinated and harmonised operations. Trucks from Kenya bypass the border post facility in the Kenyan side and go to the one in Tanzania’s side to clear exit and entry procedures. The same applies to trucks from Tanzania which bypass the facility at the Tanzania’s side and clear exit and entry arrangements on the Kenyan side. Holili and Taveta border posts are part of 13 facilities constructed by TradeMark East Africa. The multi-donor funded organisation also support operationalisation of 15 OSBP in East Africa. [Daily News 30/06/15]

14 EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA ROAD

Ethiopia Modjo-Hawassa Highway Project

The Ethiopian Roads Authority [ERA] has invited bidders for the procurement of design and build of Modjo-Hawassa Highway Project; phase II: Zeway-Hawassa, Lot II: Arsi Negele-Hawassa Section. The project is located in Central part of Ethiopia in Oromia regional state and starts from Arsi Negele, 224km southeast of Addis Ababa, the capital. The works contract will comprise the detailed engineering design and construction of main freeway from Arsi Negele-Hawassa town, construction of roundabouts, overpass and underpasses. The entire project will be implemented in 42 months after contract signing. [UKTI 15/06/15] Kenya Dongo Kundu Bypass To Link Mombasa Port

According to the Kenya National Highways Authority [KeNHA] the ground-breaking ceremony of the US$40 million Dongo Kundu bypass which links Miritini to the Mombasa port will be done soon and construction works to commence thereafter over 36 months. On completion the road will ease the movement of cargoes from Mombasa port and provide the necessary infrastructure to develop the Mombasa free trade zone. It will run 2km west of Moi International Airport in Mombasa and connect the Likoni- Diani and the Mombasa-Nairobi highways.

Construction will be divided into 3-phases - 10km stretch from Miritini to Kipevu, linking the port with the Mombasa- Nairobi highway / Mwache to Dongo Kundu, which includes building of long-span bridges / Dongo Kundu to Kibundani to join Likoni-Lunga Lunga road. [CR 26/06/15] Construction Of 4-Lane Arusha-Holili-Taveta Road Commences

Works on the 4-lane Arusha-Holili-Taveta road that is expected to link Sakina section with Tengeru Township in Arusha, Tanzania has commenced. This will see the traffic along Arusha-Moshi highway decongest and help improve road connectivity between Tanzania and Kenya as part of the East African road network.

Phase 1 started with the construction of the highway from Sakina suburb to Tengeru Township along the busiest Arusha-Moshi highway. Phase 2 will involve construction of a road section from Tengeru to Usa River area which is about 8.1 km, and thereafter rehabilitation of Usa River-Holili road [93.9 km] as well as the construction of the road to Kilimanjaro International Airport [5.8 km]. A 2-track motorway will be part of the construction and is expected to extend into Kenya and join the Taveta-Voi road project under the East African Community [EAC].

The Arusha-Holili-Taveta road which is anticipated to be complete by October 2016 is being undertaken by a South Korean-based construction firm, Hanil- Jiangsu JV, and its consultant engineer, Cheil Engineering Company [Korea]. A Tanzanian construction firm, Doch Limited will give a helping hand to the Korean company.

Once the four-lane Arusha-Holili-Taveta road is complete, the construction of the Arusha-bypass road section will begin and it is expected to cost nearly US$ 70m. [CR 15/06/15]

15 South Africa R298 Road Section Rehabilitation Begins

The R298 road section located on the R43 which is between Worcester and Wyzersdrift in the Western Cape is currently being rehabilitated at a cost of US$18.27 million. Rehabilitation by the Department of Transport and Public Works [DTPW] will include the widening of the Breede river bridge and repair works and is expected to be complete by 2017. Other projects that the DTPW has started working on include the rehabilitation and resurfacing of the R230 and R231 both of which are in the Moorreesburg region with the inclusion of road signs and markings expected to be complete early 2017. [CR 15/06/15]

Tanzania Transport Sector Support Program - Tabora Koga Mpanda Road

The Tanzanian Government intends to upgrade the 342.9km Tabora [Pangale]-Koga -Mpanda [TKM] road which runs through the regions of Tabora and Katavi as well as the 67km Mbinga-Mbamba Bay road in Ruvuma region, which passes through Mbinga and Nyasa Districts to bitumen standard. [AfDB 26/06/15] Upgrading Of Mtwara-Newala-Masasi Road

The Tanzania National Road Agency is seeking an eligible consultant to supervise the upgrading of Mtwara- Newala - Masasi Road [210km] in the Southern part of Tanzania to bitumen standard including the Mwiti Bridge. [UKTI 17/06/15]

16 EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA RAIL

Botswana South Africa Heavy-Haul Study Nearly Complete

Transnet is close to completing a study on a new heavy-haul railway which would enable Botswana to export its coal reserves through the South African port of Richards Bay. A pre-feasibility study for the link from the existing Transnet Freight Rail [TFR] railhead at Lephalale to the coalfields of south-eastern Botswana is due to be completed in July. The project would require the construction of a 3-4km bridge across the Limpopo river, but Transnet says the link would stimulate the economies of Botswana and South Africa’s Limpopo province, estimating that up to 100 million tonnes of coal per year could potentially cross the border by rail.

The line would ultimately be part of a new 560km heavy-haul railway linking Botswana and South Africa’s Waterberg coalfield with Lothair, near Ermelo, where it would meet the planned 146km Swazilink line. This would create a new route via Swaziland for coal traffic and general freight to both Richard’s Bay and Maputo in Mozambique. Botswana is sitting on massive and as yet largely-untapped coal deposits. Extractable reserves at Mmamabula near Mahalapye, in the area which would be served by the new railway, are estimated at 1.5 billion tonnes.

Transnet is planning a massive expansion of its heavy-haul rail network, which will grow from 2103 km to 4438 km by 2030, with capacity forecast to almost double from 155 million tonnes per year to 307 million tonnes. Other projects at the planning stage include upgrading of the 1200 km north-south Hotazel - Kimberley - De Aar - Coega line to heavy-haul standards for export of manganese. This would be implemented in 3-phases with axle loads ultimately being ramped up to 26 tonnes and maximum train lengths increasing to 225 wagons. All projects are at an advanced stage of planning with a commitment in terms of capital expenditure. [International Railway Journal 22/06/15]

17 South Africa Transnet In R2.8 Billion Deal With Germany’s KfW

Transport and freight logistics giant Transnet has signed a R2.8 billion loan deal with Germany’s KfW Development Bank to fund part of its locomotives acquisition programme. Transnet is to use the loan to fund the acquisition of 240 electric locomotives. The locomotives would be built by Bombardier at Transnet’s manufacturing facilities in Durban as part of the state-owned company’s 1,064 locomotives acquisition programme.

Transnet’s latest transaction comes in the wake of a R30bn loan agreement it signed with the China Development Bank to fund its long-term programme aimed at renewing its ageing locomotives. The loan is be used to fund the 232 diesel and 359 electric locomotives it was building with China North Rail [CNR] and China South Rail [CSR] respectively.

Transnet awarded CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive and Bombardier Transportation contracts to build 599 electric locomotives, while General Electric Technologies and CNR Rolling Stock would build 465 diesel locomotives. The deals are part of Transnet’s ambitious programme to expand its railway infrastructure to create capacity and to increase cargo volumes. [Business Report 23/06/15] Transnet Seeking Investors After Securing Deals

Transnet is due to embark on a road show to woo international investors after the release of its annual results next month. This comes after it secured R3bn in funding from Germany’s KfW Development Bank. Transnet became the first state-owned firm to secure significant financing from China this month, when it signed a 15-year, R30bn loan agreement with China Development Bank. Transnet also raised R6bn this year from South African banks at a reduced cost after it obtained a guarantee for the loans from the US Export-Import Bank to finance the locomotives that GE will build. Transnet is embarking on its biggest recapitalisation programme to date as part of its R300bn market demand strategy. The road show will see Transnet updating investors on its operations, performance and “recent executive developments. [Business Day 24/06/15] Construction Of Gauteng Rolling Stock Factory

Construction of a rolling stock manufacturing plant at Dunnottar is to begin in Q3 2015, the Gibela joint venture of [61%] New Africa Rail [9%] and Ubumbano Rail [30%] has confirmed. The plant to the southeast of Johannesburg will produce 580 of the 600 X’Trapolis Mega commuter electric multiple-units which Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa ordered from Gibela; the initial 20 are to be supplied from Alstom’s Lapa plant in Brazil, with first scheduled to arrive in South Africa in November. The R51bn order signed in October 2013 covers a total of 3 600 EMU cars in four and six-car sets. The 85 000 m2 Dunnottar site will be able to produce 62 trainsets per year. Production will run for 10 years, and the site will provide technical support and supply spare parts for 18 years. [Railway Gazette 02/07/15] African Rail Exhibition

Africa Rail 2015, an exhibition of African rail, ports, harbour, aviation as well as transport security and safety, was held in Johannesburg on June 30th hosting some 5,000 attendees. Seminar discussions included opportunities in the transport sector in Africa, ways of financing transport infrastructure, investment opportunities as well as new inventions and technology in the transport industry. [Xinhua 01/07/15]

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Transnet Aims To Lease Branch Lines To Private Sector

Transnet, the state-owned freight and logistics entity, is preparing to concession more branch lines to private business and boost its road-to-rail tonnage by 18.9-million tonnes this year from transporting coal, steel, cement, iron-ore and manganese. Transnet moved 210-million tonnes in 2014. It is looking to move more than 350-million tonnes of cargo a year by 2019. This would be done by shifting goods from road to rail and through its R300bn market demand strategy. It plans to spend R200bn on infrastructure. Earlier this month, Transnet became the first state-owned company to secure significant financing from China. It signed a R30bn loan agreement over 15 years with the China Development Bank to fund its locomotive build programme and has embarked on its biggest recapitalisation to date, including a R50bn programme to procure 1,064 locomotives. Last month, Transnet made the first call for proposals for one of its branch lines linking Kimberley and De Aar in the Northern Cape and would investigate further concessioning branch lines to promote bulk movement of agricultural products. Plans include the purchase of road railer engines, which can be operated on both road and rail. Furthermore 150 locomotives have arrived to supplement the ageing fleet. [BD Live 18/06/15]

19 Tanzania Tanzania Adopts Import Levy To Finance Railway Projects

Tanzania has introduced a 1.5% infrastructure development levy on imports to assist the government with raising US$14.2 billion to finance new rail projects and improve existing lines over the next 5-years. A similar levy was introduced in other East Africa Community [EAC] countries - Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda - in 2014. The new levy is pegged on the cost, insurance and transport of imported goods. Tanzania has already approved the development of 3-standard gauge railway projects including the 2561km line linking the capital Dar es Salaam with neighbouring Rwanda and Burundi at a cost of US$7.6 billion and a 1000km line linking the iron and coal mines in southern Tanzania to the port of Mtwara at an estimated cost of US$1.4 billion. It has selected global financial group Rothschild as the project’s financial advisor. [IRJ 17/06/15]

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Uganda Rail Focus Northern Corridor Integration Projects - New Standard Gauge Railway

In order to exploit the abundant resources, reduce the cost of doing business, increase regional connectivity, foster industrialization, employment and enhance regional integration, the Governments of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan are committed to the development of a US$13.5 billion seamless railway transport system within the framework of the Northern Corridor Integration Projects [NCIP] regional initiative.

The Government of Uganda, represented by the Ministry of Works and Transport, has engaged China Harbour Engineering Company Limited [CHEC] to develop the Eastern and Northern routes. The contract was signed on 30th March 2015 in Beijing, China. The 10th Northern Corridor Integration Projects summit was held on 5th June in Intensive sensitization has been done by Government at a Kampala, Uganda. The meeting saw host President Yoweri Museveni joined by subregional level and now at a sub county to village level his counterparts President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta and along the SGR route the Eastern route then to be followed President Salva Kiir of South Sudan. Delegates reviewed progress made on all soon by the same detailed sensitization on the Northern projects to facilitate regional trade and development and set up a Northern Corridor Implementation Authority to expedite and follow-up implementation of projects. route. The Contractor has already started the detailed engineering investigations including Geotechnical drilling, test pit excavations and survey for the Eastern route.

The project requires a lot of land as the Jinja to Mityana section of the SGR Corridor will be 130m wide while the remainder will be 100m wide. This is to cater for the current and future needs of the SGR and other infrastructure. The SGR will be developed for both freight and passenger traffic with the following salient features:

Eastern Route To run from Tororo to Kampala through, Iganga, Jinja [261km]. Major stations to include Kampala City, Kampala East, Jinja, Tororo and minor stations will include Nagongera, Budumba, Busembatia, Iganga, Magamaga, Bulamagi and Lugazi Northern Route To start from Tororo through Gulu to Nimule [476km] with a spur to Pakwach [117km]. Major stations include Mbale, Soroti, Lira and Gulu. Minor stations include Magodes, Manafwa, Kachumbala, Bukedea, Kumi Mukura, Okunguro, Achuna, Aloi, Otwal, Patiri, Bwobo, Aparanga, Lolim, Pachwach East Termainal, Atiak and Nimule.

Benefits of the SGR - Each freight train will have a payload capacity of 216 TEU containers Nimule - Travel at a max speed of 100kph - Rail capacity will be > 10 trains simultaneously and 40 trains per day. - Transit time will be 4-day from Mombasa to Kampala. - Passenger trains to have a capacity of 960 passengers and will travel at a Pakwach maximum speed of 120kph Gulu - Modern electrified railway system - State of the art stations - Railway designed to be environmentally friendly.

Economic Benefits of the SGR - Reduced cost of transportation in the region making it an attractive investment destination from current 16 US cents per tonne-km [Road] to 5 US cents per Kampala tonne-km [Rail]. Tororo - Accelerated industrialization through easier and cheaper transport to world markets - Reduced wear and tear on the roads - Development and growth of cities and towns along the SGR route - Harnessed local potential in agriculture, mining, oil and gas, tourism, trade and industry.

21 Zambia Chipata-Mchinji Line To Be Linked To TAZARA

The Chipata-Mchinji Railway line is to be soon linked to the Tanzania Zambia Railway (TAZARA). President Lungu noted positive strides have been made and that the contractor will soon embark on works. He appealed to the private sector to take advantage of the existing infrastructure in the 2-countries to develop partnerships and joint ventures to exploit this potential. [Times of Zambia 08/07/15] Grindrod To Fund Rail Link

Zambia’s Northwest Rail has secured US$500 million [R6.07 billion] for the first phase of a railway linking Zambia’s copperbelt to the Angolan border, in a project that aims to extend the line to ’s coast. South Africa’s Grindrod and other shareholders are to put up the equity, and several banks would provide the larger debt portion.

Grindrod was contracted to build, operate and maintain the 590km railway in February 2014 by Northwest Rail, which won exclusive rights from the state to develop the line for use in exporting copper from Zambia. Grindrod is talking to the government and should start building the line this year once the concession tenure is agreed.

The first phase of the rail link would connect Zambia’s old Chingola copper fields to the newer mines at Kansanshi, Lumwana and Kalumbila. The second phase also estimated to cost $500m, will open a direct corridor to the Angolan port of Lobito allowing landlocked Zambia to export copper and import oil from Africa’s second-largest oil producer. [Reuters 22/06/15]

22 WESTERN AFRICA CORRIDOR NEWS

Angola Malanje Regains Status As Vital Corridor

With the airport and railway reopened, and new roads being built, Malanje is on track to becoming one of Angola’s main transport, logistics and industrials hubs with revenues generated from Angola’s oil and mineral resources. With the establishment of the Malanje Corridor and the decision by the government to make Malanje Province a strategically placed transport, logistics and industrial hub, it is one of the priority areas for infrastructure rebuilding and development. In the last few years, the airport and railway have reopened and new roads built. The private sector has strongly supported these efforts: companies from Angola, Brazil and China are behind the development of much of the transport infrastructure.

The reopening of the Luanda-Malanje railway in 2011, after 18 years, now operates as a support hub for the eastern provinces. A new plan has been drafted to further improve circulation, reduce travel time and increase the use of the line. The construction and renovation of roads and bridges are a priority under the Southern African Development Community’s [SADC’s] Malanje Corridor program, which entails the rehabilitation of the corridor and onward to Province and DR Congo. [USA Today]

Cote d’Ivoire World Bank Clears US$100 Million For Trade Corridor

The World Bank in a first-time move is clearing US$100 million to help Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast reduce mutual trade and transport costs on the key Abidjan-Ouagadougou corridor. It is the first time that the World Bank is providing budget support to more than one country on a regional basis. Trade amounts to US$438 million a year, most of it Ivorian exports to Burkina. Landlocked Burkina Faso, Africa’s top cotton producer, for its part uses the port of Abidjan both for its imports and exports. The trade and transport project aims to help reduce the high costs of cargo handling and port charges in Abidjan while modernising border crossings, customs procedures and upgrading the trucking industry. [AFP 25/06/15]

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Cote d’Ivoire Bloléquin-Toulépleu / Tabou-Prollo Road - Mano River Union

The Ivorian Government has received a loan from the African Development Fund [ADF] to cover the cost of the program of development of roads and transport facilitation within the Mano River union and intends to use a portion of the proceeds for development and tarring of the Bloléquin-Toulépleu road and the Tabou-Prollo road to the border Liberia. [AfDB 20/06/15] Gambia US$46.3 Million For Laminkoto-Passimas Road

Members of the National Assembly ratified a US$46.3 million financing agreement for the construction of 121 km Laminkoto-Passimas road project. The project is co-financed by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, and OPEC Fund for International Development. Another US$30 million is yet to be signed with the Saudi Fund for Development and Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa. [The Point 07/07/15] Liberia Somalia Drive Road Project Resumes After Ebola

The Japanese contractors of the US$50 million Somalia Drive road project in Liberia are to resume construction works after the project was stalled due to Ebola outbreak. The project is under the implementation and supervision of the Japan International Corporation Agency [JICA] after a contract agreement was made in June 2013. [CR 26/06/15]

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Nigeria Fourth Mainland Bridge Proposed To Lagos Deep Seaport

The Lagos State Government and stakeholders of the fourth mainland bridge project in Nigeria have proposed the construction of a bridge to link the multi-billion naira Lagos deep seaport which is currently under construction at Lekki, off the Lagos- Expressway highway. The US$1.6 billion Lagos deep seaport project is being built on a tripartite arrangement.

The partners are the Federal Government of Nigeria represented by the Nigerian Ports Authority [NPA] with a 20% shareholding followed by the Lagos State Government [18.5%] and the Tolaram Group of Singapore being the main stake holder [61.85%].

Once the bridge is linked to the Lekki seaport evacuation of cargo from the terminals will be easy compared to what is experienced at the Apapa seaport. Chief Kunle Folarin, the Port Consultative Council [PCC] Chairman, proposed 11 dual carriageway lanes, beginning from the port connecting with the fourth mainland bridge to ease traffic congestion all the way to Lagos metropolis.

The port is scheduled for completion in 41 months and expected to be commissioned in the next 4-years. The facility will be capable to accommodate 10,000 container vessels equivalent to 1.5 million tonnes. With this advancement the port will also be designed to handle 16.7 million of tonnes of containers containing liquid and 40 million tonnes of dry bulk cargo per year. [Construction Review 23/06/15]

Plans To Construct 10-Lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway

The State Governor of Lagos, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, noted the Government has plans to construct a 10-lane Lagos-Badagry expressway from Ikorodu axis in Lagos passing through the Itoikin, Epe to Ijebu Ode in Ogun State. [Construction Review 01/07/15] Rehabilitation Works On The Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

The rehabilitation works on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway has commenced undertaken by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency [FERMA]. The expressway requires serious drainage works which are over 30 years old making them insufficient to deal with the gradually growing population which is causing work delays. The repair along the Abule Egba section has already finished. [CR 19/06/15]

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Cote d’Ivoire NRE Locomotives Arrive In Abidjan

The first two of six GT26 diesel locomotives supplied from the USA by NRE were unloaded at Abidjan Port on June 24th. The remaining four are scheduled to arrive by August. Bolloré Africa Logistics subsidiary Sitarail holds the concession to operate the 1,260 km metre gauge network linking Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. It operates 40 freight and 12 passenger trains a week, totalling 910,000 tonne-km and 300,000 passenger-km a year. The additional locomotives will provide a boost in capacity to meet the constantly growing customer demand. [Railway Gazette 04/07/15]

Abidjan Metro Line 1

The Ivorian government signed a concession agreement on July 6th with France’s Bouygues and Keolis and South Korean firms Hyundai Rotem and Dongsan Engineering to build and operate a US$1 billion urban passenger rail line - Metro line 1 - Abidjan. The build-operate-transfer agreement will see the construction of the 37km line passing through the city centre from Abidjan’s northern suburbs to the international airport in the south.

DTP Terrassement and Bouygues Travaux Publics, both units of French industrial group Bouygues, will hold a 33% stake in the consortium, as will Hyundai Rotem. Keolis, 70% owned by French State rail operator SNCF, will hold 25%, with the remaining 9% belonging to Dongsan Engineering. Preparatory work on the project will cost around US$40 million. Construction is expected to last 5.5-years. The first phase of the rail line is expected to be completed in 2019 and the entire project operational a year later. [Engineering News 07/07/15]

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Morocco High-Speed Line To Open Spring 2018

Moroccan National Railways [ONCF] has confirmed that Africa’s first high-speed line will open in spring 2018, 2.5 years later than originally scheduled. The 183 km - line has been delayed due to difficulties in completing land acquisition, while costs for the €1.8bn project have risen 10-15% above the original budget. The overall project is now estimated to be 70% complete. Civil engineering is 80% complete and work on equipping the line is scheduled to start in December 2015. The maintenance depot is 88% complete, and will have 14 tracks totalling 10km with capacity for 30 trains. Alstom has delivered the first pre-production trains which are now being tested. Assembly of the remaining 12 trains is underway and is now 62% complete. The maximum operating speed on the new line will be 320km/h. Official acceptance of the high-speed line is scheduled for December 2016. This will be followed by final commissioning allowing the line to open in March or April 2018. A Tangiers- journey time of 2hr 10min is envisaged, compared with 4hr 45min today. [IRJ 08/07/15] Africa’s First High Speed Train Delivered

The first of 12 Alstom Duplex high speed trainsets for national railway ONCF was unloaded at the Port of on June 29th. Worth almost €400 million the contract was signed by ONCF and Alstom in December 2010. The trainsets are to be maintained by Société Marocaine de Maintenance des Rames à Grande Vitesse, a 60:40 joint venture of ONCF and SNCF under a separate 15-year deal worth €175 million. The units had been shipped from the Port of La Pallice near La Rochelle in France onboard Ville de Bordeaux, a roll-on roll-off vessel custom-built to carry Airbus A380 aircraft sections. The units are to be used on Tangier-Casablanca services, using a 320 km route including a 183 km high speed line between Tanger and Kénitra which is being built for operation at up to 320 km/h. [Railway Gazette 01/07/15]

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