Minister of Infrastructure, Equipment, and Social Housing of Burundi, Mr. Dieudonné DUKUNDANE (Photo: Railways Africa / Craig Dean)
In contributing to the panel discussion, African Railway Development and Intermodal Solutions – Outlook for African Railways with Modal Shift from Roads to Rail, at the AfDB Transport Forum 2024, the Minister of Infrastructure, Equipment, and Social Housing of Burundi, Mr. Dieudonné DUKUNDANE- highlighted the critical importance of railway development for Africa’s economic future. His input focused on several key points, reinforcing the continent’s need to invest in rail infrastructure and emphasising the role of proper financing mechanisms to make this vision a reality.
Railways: An Undebatable Necessity
The Minister began by making it clear that the debate over the importance of railway infrastructure in Africa is over. For him, the answer to whether railways are needed is a resounding “yes.” He noted that the common belief that building railways would harm business opportunities for road transport is unfounded. Instead, railways, particularly for long-distance transport, would complement road networks by creating economies of scale. He stressed the need for a multimodal transport solution, as railways alone cannot reach every marketplace or tourist destination.
Africa’s unique geographical context, which differs significantly from regions like Europe and Asia. Unlike these continents, Africa’s transport demand is not confined to coastal areas or seaports. Instead, industrial parks, mining sites and agricultural zones are scattered across the interior. As he pointed out, transporting goods over vast distances, such as from Dakar to Addis Ababa, using trucks is not only inefficient but also environmentally unsustainable due to high fuel consumption. This geographical reality makes railway development crucial for the continent’s economic sustainability.
The Minister outlined the economic toll that the absence of railway infrastructure imposes. For Burundi, this cost amounts to nearly $100 million per year, a staggering figure that reflects the financial consequences of relying solely on road transport. He argued that this loss implies a benefit to other sectors, particularly the truck industry, which is easier to invest in than rail. However, for long-term economic sustainability, countries must invest in rail infrastructure. He stressed that accepting these yearly losses is not building for the future.
Call for Proper Financing Mechanisms
The Minister called on the AfDB and other partners to focus on securing dedicated financing for railway projects. He emphasised that while investment in railways may seem challenging, the long-term benefits—including cost savings, environmental sustainability, and economic growth—would eventually outweigh the initial expenditures. He reiterated that the discussion must explore proper financing mechanisms, as investing in railways will pay off in the long run.
A Model for Regional Railway Collaboration
Burundi’s ongoing regional railway project with Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Before starting feasibility studies, the countries involved came together to establish a joint operational agreement. The tripartite agreement ensures seamless operations across borders, eliminating potential bottlenecks and non-tariff barriers that typically hinder road transport.
By setting up this framework from the start, the countries involved aim to avoid operational challenges that could arise later. The Minister suggested this collaborative model could serve as a reference for other countries, encouraging the use of customised, seamless agreements to ensure effective cross-border railway operations.
Railways Building for the Future
In closing, the Minister stressed that investing in railways is essential for Africa’s future. He appealed to the African Development Bank and other partners to engage in deeper discussions on financing mechanisms that could support the continent’s railway ambitions.
His call to action aligns with the broader sentiment of the AfDB Transport Forum: the future of Africa’s transport lies in an integrated, multimodal network where railways play a pivotal role.
Source link : https://www.railwaysafrica.com/news/african-railway-development-and-intermodal-solutions-outlook-for-african-railways-with-modal-shift-from-roads-to-rail-burundis-perspective
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Publish date : 2024-10-04 12:17:30
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