Chinese-built railway links landlocked Ethiopia, one of the world’s fastest growing economies, to the sea

With Chinese conductors at the helm, a fleet of new trains began plying a new route from the Ethiopian capital to neighbouring Djibouti yesterday, in a major boost to both economies.

The 750km railway, built by two Chinese companies, will link Addis Ababa to the strategic Red Sea port of Djibouti in about 10 hours, a far cry from the present multi-day trip along a congested, potholed road.

He Wenping, from the Institute of West-Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the line would open the door to more Chinese investment in the region.

“It would be an example for future railway projects in Africa … and facilitate Chinese exports of rail equipment and machinery,” He said, adding that Chinese firms could also build housing projects along the line.