Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway
Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway. Photo credit: Beijing Review
Stretching from Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa to the Port of Doraleh in Djibouti, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway is a standard gauge international railroad serving as the backbone of the new Ethiopian National Railway Network. Although the 470-mile railway is not yet operational, it was inaugurated on October 5, 2016, in Ethiopia and January 10, 2017, in Djibouti. It is expected to be operational before the end of the year.
The main purpose of constructing the railway was to open up Ethiopia, a landlocked country, to the world market by ensuring a continuous access to a seaport. Experts say the $1.9 billion railroad is more economically viable than other means of transport, such as road and air. Its operating speed is 120 km/h for the passenger train and 80 km/h for the cargo train.
It’s a joint venture between the two governments.
