Several nations are moving forward with ambitious railroad construction projects, some of which are in collaboration with China, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. The projects in the regions of North Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Iran could be integrated into an extended Oasis Plan as proposed by Schiller Institute founder Helga Zepp-LaRouche in April 2026, for peaceful economic development throughout that portion of the world.
•Egypt—the Egyptian National Railways is the oldest railway system in Africa, and currently the Egyptian government has launched a major project for a high-speed rail system to further integrate the country, often called ‘the Suez Canal on rails’.
•Ethiopia—China built the Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway (a 752 km electrified transnational railway), and recently handed over operations to local authorities.
•Kenya—China funded and built the Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
•Morocco—Planning and engineering continue to advance for the 240 km Marrakesh–Agadir high-speed rail extension (designed for speeds up to 320 km/h).
•Nigeria—China is funding and supporting railway lines, such as the 1,315 km project running from Kano to Lagos.
•Tanzania—Tabora–Kigoma Line—financing came from the African Development Bank and nine international/regional banks.
•Zambia—Zambia-Angola Lobito Railway Corridor. The U.S. government is partnering with Angola, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the European Union, and the Africa Finance Corporation on the Lobito Corridor Railway.
China’s role in the development of railroads is critical, due to its expertise in building railroads in the desert, such as the Taklamakan Desert in northwestern China. Numerous technologies and railroad designs have been developed to manage building such infrastructure on shifting sands.
Saudi Arabia is also involved, not only in building its own high-speed rail through the desert, but also working with nations such as Egypt, Ghana, and Italy on various rail projects.
Iran and Russia’s parliamentary bodies have officially ratified construction of the Rasht-Astara railway, completing a critical 162-kilometer missing link in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). This long-awaited section will directly connect Iran’s rail network to Azerbaijan and, from there, to Russia, allowing the entire route to be tested, coordinated, and prepared for full operation.
For engineers and trade planners, this is a major milestone. More than two decades in the making, the INSTC is designed to create a continuous transportation corridor stretching from Moscow to Mumbai. Once fully developed, it will provide a faster and more efficient rail and shipping connection between Russia, Iran, India, and other countries along the route.
Such projects, led by the Global South, could not only bring stability and prosperity to billions of human beings, but also create the foundations for solving other tremendous technological challenges, such as that posed by the future colonization of Mars. The dust and sand on Mars is extremely fine and highly static, capable of clinging to spacesuits, machinery and other equipment needed on Mars. Rapid and efficient transport of people and goods is not only essential, but is already being researched by scientists, who are optimistically planning for humanity’s needs as we move out into the solar system.
