In the past week, evidence of international coordination of the development of a new trade route— namely the modern standard gauge railroad in eastern Africa— has emerged, in another example of Africans solving African problems.
The emergence of an integrated rail transport system linking Kenya, Uganda, Burundei, DR Congo, and Tanzania has been reported in these pages, as the rail projects now under construction near completion. As the lines approach each other, an important difference between them has become evident: The Tanzanian line is electrified while the Kenyan line is not.
That difference is now reportedly being worked out, as Kenya has decided to electrify their line, and is in consultation with the Turkish construction firm Yapi Merkezi on the topic. According to Construction Review, Yapi Merkezi is also the lead contractor (along with China Civil Engineering Corp) for both the Ugandan and the Tanzanian lines. The move would require Kenya to completely replace its rolling stock— not a small matter— but the prospect of becoming an isolated system would cost them more in the end.
Finances for the various extensions and segments is not yet completely secured, but is being worked out, with Tanzania securing a $2.2 billion loan from Standard and Chartered.
