Rail traffic is set to play an increasing role in the growth and sustainable development of the African continent over the next few decades. Many countries have adopted master plans for the development of the railway sector, the implementation of which has already successfully started in some places.

Investments in the railway sector cost a great deal of money, which is either not available or only available to a limited extent in the national budgets of most countries in the continent. Chinese companies have been pioneers in this sector in recent years, and now European companies are gradually winning contracts and bringing a great deal of sector know-how to the continent with the necessary infrastructure and technology.

Discussion points:

– Case study: Dar es Salaam – Morogoro Railway project (Imagery credit: Yapi Merkezi)

– Experiences, assessments, impressions and forecasts on the development of the rail sector

– Challenges and possible solutions for the implementation of demanding projects in this sector

Speakers:

– Karin Mulder, Vice President, Origination & Structuring, Infrastructure, KfW IPEX Bank (Moderator)

– Dr. Noanne Botha, Chief Operating Officer, Thelo DB Pty Ltd

– Mark Gerber, Manager Project & Export Finance Africa, Alstom

– Ibrahim Karahan, Project Finance Director, Yapi Merkezi Construction and Industry Inc.

– Sylvia Sedlacek, Director, Origination & Structuring, Mobility & Transport, KfW IPEX Bank