New $4.7bn rail network to be built in east Africa

Date: 21/2/2012

A new $4.7 billion (£2.9 billion) rail network is to be built in eastern Africa to improve trade links with South Sudan.

Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda are working together on the project, which will run alongside the $3 billion Tanga-Arusha-Musoma-Kampala railway line, the East African reports.

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation will undertake a feasibility study for the initiative and the railway will be constructed to the 1,435mm, which is the standard used in other countries.

Managing Director of the Chinese enterprise Wang Xiangdong said: "We are expecting to handover the feasibility study by April, while construction of the 880km railway line is expected to be completed by 2015."

This is not the only major rail project taking place in Africa, as last month it was revealed a new 146km line is to be built between South Africa and Swaziland in a bid to encourage trade and business, IPS reported.

Posted by Nick Anderson