AU, China sign MoU for speed rail system in major African cities

The African Union (AU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China to jointly develop the continent’s modern railway system, Aviation and road infrastructure for faster economic growth and regional integration.

The MoU was signed on Tuesday in Addis Ababa at the merging of the 2063 Agenda of AU Commission aimed at establishing speed rail system in all major cities across Africa.

The Chairperson of the Commission, Dr Dlamini Zuma, signed on behalf of the AU and Mr Zhang Ming, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government signed for China.

The MoU is on “Continental transport, high Speed Railway, Aviation, Road Highways and Industrialisation infrastructure“.

Speaking at the ceremony, Zuma said the MoU had kicked started the process to ensure capital cities of the continent were linked with basic infrastructure.

According to her, this is to speed up industrialisation and regional integration of the continent within a reasonable period in accordance with the AU agenda 2063.

Zuma said a study had been conducted to be sure of the projects’ visibility and viability, while committees would soon come up with designs and costing of the projects expected to begin soon.

She said the interest and priority would be determined by member countries according to their short term and long term plans.

According to her, the projects are to be guided and implemented within the frame work of AU Agenda.

Speaking on behalf of the Chinese Government, Ming said his country had developed a world class speed rail system.

He said China was willing to cooperate with Africa in an effort to develop similar system in the continent to fast track the continent’s industrialisation.

Ming said Chinese government would equally assist Africa in developing regional Aviation system to ease air travel by air at affordable rate.

The Chinese official said his government had already embarked on various rail projects in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya. (NAN)