Ethiopia set for new rail network

1 July 2012

Government officials in Ethiopia have announced that the country has agreed a deal with Chinese and Turkish firms to help finance an impressive new rail system in the country, the Sudan Tribute reports.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Ethiopian Railway Corporation is to use the money to construct 5,000 km of railway lines by 2020.

The new rail network should prove to be a major boost for the local economy, easing the movement of people and goods throughout the country.

Allied to investment from Turkish firm Yapi Merkezi and China Communications Construction Company, it has been confirmed that the Indian government will help to finance part of the ambitious infrastructure project.

By 2015, as much as 1,808km will have already been completed and Ethiopians can expect to see a noticeable improvement even by that stage.

The transport upgrades form part of the government's plan to initiate accelerated economic growth in the country.