A groundbreaking initiative to construct a 73,500-kilometer freight railway system spanning 40 Sub-Saharan African countries has been announced, aiming to accelerate the continent’s shift toward cleaner energy and deeper economic integration.
Dubbed a “virtual pipeline,” the railway corridor will play a central role in transporting natural gas to landlocked regions, offering a sustainable alternative to wood fuel, which currently accounts for 91% of domestic energy use in the region. The project is expected to significantly reduce deforestation and indoor pollution, while promoting access to cleaner, more reliable energy sources.
African Union’s Agenda 2063
The ambitious plan aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its High-Speed Railway Network strategy. It also complements the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), targeting key challenges such as energy poverty, fragmented trade routes, and environmental degradation.
Battery-powered electric locomotives are slated for deployment on the railway, supporting the continent’s push for net-zero emissions. In addition to energy delivery, the corridor is expected to unlock new opportunities for agro-industrial growth, mineral processing, and employment across the participating nations.
Mr. Musa Ibrahim Kuchi, Project Development Coordinator at Insight Dynamic Resources, led the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining a detailed implementation roadmap. According to the developers, the project could contribute up to $29 trillion to Africa’s cumulative GDP in the coming decades.
A high-level summit is scheduled for July 2025 in Addis Ababa, where leaders from the 40 participating countries, development agencies, and private investors will convene to discuss next steps and secure support for the initiative. The summit will also focus on broader themes of climate action and sustainable development across the continent.