Railways in Africa
Algeria has an extensive network of railway lines in the north of the country. Train travel in Algeria is a good way to explore the country – modern trains connect the largest cities in the north of the country. There are a total more of 4,560 km standard gauge lines, many of them are used …
Train travel in Senegal is limited to suburban trains. The first railway in the present day Senegal was opened in 1924. It was railway line from Dakar to Bamako, known as Chemin de Fer Dakar-Niger. Senegal and Mali gained their independence in 1960 and railway line was divided between two countries. Within Senegal lies about …
In Mozambique, as in most African countries, the railway plays a significant role in freight transport, while passenger trains run rarely and only on few routes. In 2017, Caminhos de ferro do Moçambique purchased diesel multiple units from New Zealand, which are used in suburban services around Maputo. Last update: 29.01.2024 The first railway in …
Train travel in Mali is limited to only one passenger train. Railway line from Kayes to Dakar was built in colonial era, when present day Mali was a part of French Western Africa. In 1880s there was a plan to build a line from Kayes to Bamako. The line 596 km in length reached Bamako …
The first railway line in Togo, opened on 18 July 1905, connected the administrative center of German protectorate of Togoland Lomé with coastal town of Aného (44 km). The railway line initially was used for transport of goods from port to inland. On 15 May 1906 was officially introduced timetable for passenger trains, although passengers …
The first railway in present-day Malawi connected Port Herald (Nsanje) and Chiromo. It was opened in 1904 and four years later was extended northwards to Blantyre and in 1912 southwards to Mutarara, present-day Mozambique. Last update: 29.01.2024 During colonial era trains were operated by Nyasaland Railways. After Malawi gained his indenpendence Nyasaland Railways changed its …
Burkina Faso has one international railway line connecting the country with the largest city in Côte d’Ivoire – Abidjan and domestic line to Kaya with freight traffic only. Construction of the railway line started at the beginning of the 20th century from Abidjan. In 1933 the tracks were extended to Bobo-Dioulasso, a year later the …
The first railway lines in present day Namibia were built during German colonisation. History of railway in Namibia began with a small railway mining line in Cape Cross in 1895. In 1902 main railway line from Swakopmund to Windhoek was completed. In the following years, several other railway lines were built. After World War II …
Guinea has more of 1000 km of railways but railway lines are mainly used to transport bauxite and iron ore from mines to port in Conakry. Last update: 29.01.2024 There are main railway lines for freight transport: Kamsar – Sangarédi (136 km) operated by the CBG mining company. Conakry – Fria (143 km) operated by …
A railway in present day Gabon was first planned in 1885 but construction began almost one hundred years later in 1974. The first section from Owendo to Ndjolé was opened in 1978, remaining sections were opened in stages until December 1986. The line reached Franceville in 1987. This railway line is known as the Trans-Gabon …