10023631-Feasibility Study for an African Railway Competence Centre

Rail transport is a key driver of economic development in Africa, addressing logistical and mobility challenges across long distances and underdeveloped infrastructure. It supports inner-city, regional, and long-distance transport - especially freight - by creating jobs, promoting economic growth along corridors, and connecting landlocked countries to seaports for international market access. Historically focused on raw material transport, modern projects now prioritize regional integration, boosting intra-African trade and economic development. Shifting from road to rail reduces costs, enhances competitiveness, and lowers CO2 emissions, fostering regional value chains. To sustain this growth, training centers are essential. The African Development Bank"s (AfDB) 2024-2033 strategy emphasizes investing in youth skills, TVET, and leadership to transform demographic growth into economic productivity, aligning with regional integration, gender equality, and climate-resilient infrastructure. For rail, this means locally tailored, skills-based training to support technical and managerial expertise, aligning with AfCFTA and industrialization goals. GIZ"s "Transforming Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) Just Mobility" promotes sustainable mobility for economic and social development on behalf of BMZ and co-financed by the EU. It advises cities on climate-friendly transport, improves mobility in Yaoundé and Costa Rica, and supports urban mobility strategies via the MobiliseYourCity alliance. TUMI integrates gender equality and inclusion, ensuring equitable access to skills, employment, and private-sector cooperation in rail, addressing structural barriers. GIZ and AfDB collaborate to build inclusive training capacities in rail transport, focusing on increasing participation of women and underrepresented groups. African countries often lack trained personnel for rail construction, operation, and management, risking dependence on foreign expertise. Rail Competence Centres, often with international partners, provide specialized training (e.g., for train drivers, technicians, and managers), ensuring local expertise for infrastructure longevity and efficiency. A strong and growing rail sector on the African continent represents an opportunity for European companies. European companies cover the entire value chain, from large-scale turnkey projects to specialised suppliers. An industry dialogue will serve as a sounding board for this study and create dedicated business-oriented platforms for structured exchange between European and African public and private stakeholders. This study addresses a particularly pressing challenge in the development and sustainability of railways in Africa. Specifically, this involves the implementation of - A feasibility study on the establishment of rail transport competence centres in Africa - the development and piloting of initial training courses on the subject of rail transport