Regional rail loop: UEMOA transport ministers adopt an action plan

2023-05-07 09:06:58

The implementation of the regional project of the ABIDJAN-OUAGADOUGOU-NIAMEY-COTONOU-LOME rail loop is making its merry way. A big step has just been taken in Abidjan on May 5th.

Indeed, the Ministers in charge of Rail Transport of the WAEMU Member States adopted this May 05, 2023 in Abidjan, an action plan for the relaunch of the regional project of the Rail Loop

This action plan provides for the realization of a technical study for an integrated approach on the implementation of the project as well as the acceleration of the creation of a training center for railway trades in the WAEMU area, taking into account existing potential, explains the press release from the communication service of the uemoa commission

The ministers assessed the state of implementation of the due diligence concerning the recommendations of the Ministerial Declaration of November 07, 2019, and noted that the States have made significant efforts to resolve existing disputes with a view to relaunch of the project. They reiterated the need to take steps to guard against possible disputes.

The Ministers approved the draft Decision establishing the Regional Rail Loop Project, proposed by the WAEMU Commission.

As a reminder, the Regional Railway Loop Project must connect five capitals by modern railway, namely Abidjan-Ouagadougou-Niamey-Cotonou and Lomé, on a total route of 3,034 km, including 1,946 km to be rehabilitated and 1,088 km to build.