CMA CGM CTBL-Watch Africa - Issue 28 - April 2016 by CMA CGM Group

CTBL-WATCH

AFRICA

ISSUE 28 | APRIL 2016

CMA CGM OFFERS NEW LAND CORRIDORS ACROSS MAURITANIA OPENS GATEWAY TO LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES IN NORTH WEST AFRICA

Full Story On Page 5

Pan Africa: Region Investing US$30B On 11,000KM Of Rail

Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda: Joint Electronic Cargo Tracking

Kenya: Northern Corridor SGR Construction Project

CTBL-WATCH

AFRICA

ISSUE 28 | APRIL 2016

Contents 03 | Corridor Review 05 | African Group News New: CMA CGM Offers New Land Corridors Across Mauritania, Opens Gateway To Landlocked Countries In North West Africa

07 | Pan Africa Region Investing US$30 Billion On 11,000 KM Of Rail

09 | Eastern & Southern Africa Ethiopia: US$222 Million Road To Be Constructed Kenya/Tanzania: AfDB Approves US$228 Million For Strategic Road Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda: Joint Electronic Cargo Tracking Starts June Kenya: New Mombasa Bridge Construction Design / Northern Corridor SGR Construction Project Taking Shape / Funding Talks On Naivasha-Nairobi Rail Link / Kenya Seeks Operator For New Railway / Chinese Firm To Build Communication Solution / Chinese Firm Sign Pact for Naivasha-Malaba SGR Project Malawi/Zambia: Malawi-Zambia Eye Tazara Line Mozambique: EU To Pay â&#x201A;Ź16 Million For Road Repairs / New Bridge To Increase Maputo-Swaziland Rail Traffic Namibia: Roads Authority Earmark Budget For Construction / Phase 1 Port Rail Upgrade Completed Rwanda/Tanzania: Rusumo Border Facilities Launched Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli and Rwandan President Rwanda: Base-Gicumbi-Rukomo-Nyagatare Road Project / Rubavu Warehouse To Ease Cross-Border Trade South Africa: M1 Revamp Starts May / June Completion For First Phase Of N8 Highway Rehabilitation / East Cape Roads To Be Reconstructed / Sanral To Collect Road Charges At Beitbridge Post / CRRC Unveils First Diesel Locomotive For Transnet / Earthworks For Majuba Rail Project Nearing Completion Swaziland: TE Delivers Wagons Tanzania: Vehicle Imports In Transit Decline At Dar es Salaam Port / Government To Construct Roads To Ease Traffic / Checkpoints To Be Reduced On Rusumo Route Uganda: Uganda Seeks More Trade With India Zambia/Botswana: Kazungula Bridge Takes Shape Zambia: ZABS Launches Single Window Online Import Clearance / Mongu-Kalabo Road Completed / Mchinji-PetaukeSerenje Rail Project / Funds Sourced For Muchinje ICD Zimbabwe: Exports Fall 15% In 2015 / Japanese Agreement On Roads / Government To Sign MoU On Beitbridge-Harare Road

23 | Western Africa Cameroon: Yaounde-Bafoussam-Babadjou Road Project DRC: Lovua Tshikapa Road Works Gambia/Senegal: Border Remains Closed Over Dispute Ghana: Transport Ministry Sets Up Authority To Regulate Road Activities / Tema Motorway Expansion Contract Signed / Eastern Railway Line Development / Railway Unions Merge Morocco: Casablanca Road Improvements / Morocco Gets Funding For Rail Infrastructure Work Nigeria: USAID Promotes Investment On Lagos-Kano-Jibiya Transport Corridor / FERMA Rehabilitates Kaduna-Abuja Highway / Cross River State Highway Halted / Lagos State Roads Senegal/Mali: New Operator For Dakar-Bamako Railway Senegal: Rehabilitation Of National Road N2

The African Inland Freight Report

CMA CGM Marseille Head Office

4, Quai d’Arenc 13235 Marseille cedex 02 France Tel : +33 (0)4 88 91 90 00 www.cma-cgm.com

Brought to you by CMA CGM Africa Marketing

Website: www.cma-cgm.com Email: lhv.marketing@cma-cgm.com Tweet: @CMA_CGM_Group

Rachel Bennett

Dominic Rawle

Disclaimer of Liability

The CMA CGM Group make every effort to provide and maintain usable, and timely information in this report. No responsibility is accepted for the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to the user’s purpose, of the information. Accordingly the CMA CGM Group denies any liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any published information. Conclusions drawn from, or actions undertaken on the basis of, such data and information are the sole responsibility of the reader.

Events Diary April 2016 24-26

International Beauty Show, Afric Beauty Expo 2016 (Dakar, Senegal)

25-26

10th German-African Energy Forum by Afrika-Verein (Hamburg, Germany)

26-30

Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company (ZITF) (Bulawayo, Zimbabwe)

27-28

5th Mozambique Mining, Energy and Oil & Gas Conference & Exhibition (Maputo, Mozambique)

http://africbeautyexpo.com/?lang=en

http://www.energyafrica.de/en/home-en

http://www.zitf.net/

http://www.mozmec.com/

News Briefs Western Africa

Eastern & Southern Africa

BURKINA FASO -- Vancouver’s Endeavour Mining has commenced construction at its US$328m Hounde project in Burkina.

BOTSWANA -- Firestone Diamonds has agreed to an extension for the $8m sale of its Botswana operations to allow buyer Tango Mining time to finalise a proposed $30m loan.

CAMEROON -- Ngoulémakong is to host a FCfa 441.4 million processing unit to turn cassava into starch and others derivatives financed by the Investment and Development Project for Agricultural Markets (PIDMA) & the World Bank. COTE D’IVOIRE -- Dangote Cement commenced construction of a new cement grinding plant to produce 3 million MT/yr. GABON -- The Africa Finance Corporation to invest up to US$140m in the Gabon Special Economic Zone, a JV between agriculture company Olam and the Gabon government. GUINEA BISSAU -- The China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) signed a MoU to build a new international airport. CMEC will also build 2-fishing ports in Biombo and Buba and a power transmission line in Saltinho in the south. NIGERIA -- China has offered a loan worth US$6 billion to fund infrastructure projects. The announcement came as countries signed a currency swap deal to boost trade, shore up the Naira & help fund deficit. -- Nigeria plans to split state oil company NNPC into two to ease a planned stake sale and wants to sell at least 40% of a newly created National Petroleum Co (NPC) in coming years.

RWANDA -- Members of Parliament from both chambers welcomed a 3-year plan to phase out the commercialisation of second-hand clothes known as ‘caguwa.’ SOUTH AFRICA -- US car maker Ford to invest R2.5-billion to build the new Everest sports-utility vehicle at its Silverton assembly plant in Pretoria boosting output from 74 000 units a year to 93 000 units by 2017 - a 25% increase. -- Illovo Sugar said its largest shareholder, Associated British Foods, has agreed to buy the remaining stake in the company for US$370m. -- Transport giant Alstom acquired 51% share in Commuter Transport and Locomotive Engineering. UGANDA -- Explorer Black Mountain Resources signed documentation to acquire Namakera Mining Company, which holds 2-mining projects in Uganda [Namakera vermiculite mine/ Busumbu phosphate project] & commits to investing US$2.5m in new capital over next 2-years. ZIMBABWE -- Zimbabwe is probing Rio Tinto’s disposal of its stake in 2-mines: its 78% stake in the Murowa diamond mine and also sold off its 50% interest in the Sengwa coal mine.

CTBL AFRICA

CORRIDOR REVIEW Eastern & Southern Africa Current Situation

●●

Kenya [Mombasa] -Great Lakes / Uganda / Rwanda / South Sudan

Kenya: We are now able to offer competitive rates on heavy 20ft container rates Gross Weight [GW] up to 32T and 40ft containers with GW below 22T for rail to ICD Embakasi, Nairobi, following new revised rates from RVR effective 1st Jan 2016. All import cargo to Kenya [local] must have a Certificate of Conformity [COC]. Without a COC we will not be able to clear the cargo out of port. Failure to which Kenya Bureau of Statistics will impose heavy penalties on consignee’s account. South Sudan: For shipments to South Sudan the Port Of Load [POL] must collect a Letter of Indemnity [LOI] from the shipper indemnifying the Line against all extra charges incurred at the Port of Discharge [POD], Nimule border and Final Point of Destination [FPOD] before approval of any booking. Our local agency in Nairobi will review all bookings before they are accepted. Rwanda: Subject to premium tariff we now authorise shipper to book at 30T incl TARE for final destination Rwanda.

●●

Tanzania [Dar Es salaam] - Great Lakes

DRC: Roads from Dar Es Salaam to DRC [Goma / Bukavu] are in good condition and services are running well via Rwanda. We have opened Uvira via Burundi but subject to a pre confirmation with our Dar es Salaam office due to possible insecurity in Burundi. Rwanda: Service is running very well. It is operated under SCT with efficient transit time and rates. Burundi: We have re-opened our service connecting Tanzania to Burundi. The Dar-es-Salaam to Bujumbura road corridor offers a transit of 13-days. Regional: Please be advised due to Customs complication, no part load shipment is allowed in TBL for our corridors via Dar Es Salaam.

●●

Tanzania [Dar Es salaam] - Copper Belt

Regional: The corridor from Dar Es Salaam to Lusaka, Copper belt & Lubumbashi is safe. Our rates have recently been improved and we offer competitive transit times. Our local agent is working with local hauliers to further improve this. Zambia: Roads through Mbeya offer an alternative to the train to Ndola. With an improved ASEA TANZANIA service we offer direct weekly service from Asia to Dar Es Salaam enhancing inland solutions to Malawi and Zambia. DRC: We are the only line to have an owned office in Lubumbashi which closely monitors the local situation.

●● ●●

Mozambique Nacala Corridor

New competitive rail rates for Nacala corridor to Malawi final destination.

Mozambique Beira Corridor

We offer new competitive rates for 20’ Beira-Harare [Zimbabwe] by road and by rail. CMA CGM will indemnify clients from further liability should any port storage incur on the units to be railed. We also have new competitive rates on the Beira–Malawi corridor.

●●

Mozambique Maputo Corridor

Competitive solutions are available to Zimbabwe by rail from Maputo-Hwange. There is no port storage invoiced if shortage of wagons in Maputo.

●●

S. Africa Durban

New inland reefer ‘overborder’ solution available via Durban to inland countries: Zimbabwe, DRC, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland.

●●

Namibia Walvis Bay

We can offer a routing solution for export CTBL cargo from Zambia to Namibia. The route along the Trans-Caprivi Corridor links Zambia with the Port of Walvis Bay via the Katima Mulilo bridge border crossing. Export solutions are available from DRC and Zambia to Walvis Bay for dry and reefer equipment. The corridor to Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola & Lubumbashi in south DRC are running well. We also offer domestic routes to Windhoek and Otjiwarongo, Otjikoto, Oshakati, Ondangwa and Oshikango by road and rail.

Corridor

Western Africa Corridor

Current Situation

●●●

Mauritania-Mali

New!! A new intermodal offer from the port of Nouakchott now targets 15 Mauritanian landlocked cities by road. We also offer a connection from Nouakchott into neighbouring Mali with a road link to Bamako.

●●

Senegal-Mali

The Dakar-Bamako corridor is only available by road. Both our rail and rail-road corridor options for Dakar-Bamako have been closed due to a change in the governance of the railway that has affected services. Meanwhile we are only able to accept cargo for Southern Mali destinations. For safety reasons traffic to Northern Mali [Kignan, Ségou, Mopti, Sevaré, Gao, Kidal, Menaka, Ansongou, Tessalit, and Timbuktu] via Dakar are temporarily suspended.

● ●●

Senegal-Guinea Bissau

The corridor is open and running smoothly.

Cote d’Ivoire-Burkina/Mali

Our service to Burkina is running well by both rail and road to all destinations. The rail service from Abidjan is running well offering excellent transit times and no congestion. We also recommend the road option. From 15th March a Terminal Handling Charge [THC] is applicable in Abidjan Port. We have also launched a new reefer service from Abidjan.

●●

Ghana-Burkina

The Tema-Ouagadougou corridor running well. We offer competitive rates with excellent transit time from Asia using our AFEX service and from Europe on our EURAF 2 service.

●●

Togo-Burkina/Niger

We offer a reliable service to Burkina following recent attacks. Generally the service is running well. Thanks to good volumes and on-going negotiations with suppliers we have decreased our Ouagadougou rates from Lome. We can also offer excellent solutions from Asia on our AFEX service. Please note that Lome port is strict on enforcing weight regulations for trucks.

●● ●

Benin-Niger

Service is operating very well.

Cameroon-Chad

We offer both road and rail services to Chad which are running well. The train operator, CAMRAIL, offers a good service.

●

Cameroon-CAR

Douala-Bangui is open on a case by case basis with agreement from our local Douala Agency. Political security is not 100% on this corridor. Please note all TBL to Bangui will be subject to Consignee signing LOI locally.

●●

Gabon Corridor

From Libreville, we serve domestic destinations by road to Franceville, Lambarene, Mouila, Bitam, Moanda, Mitzicnd Makokou.

●●

Congo Corridor

Pointe Noire-Brazzaville corridor is REOPENED. We offer an inland service from Pointe Noire to Dolisie, Brazzaville, Oyo and Ouesso.

●● ●●

DRC Corridor

Matadi-Kinshasa service is running smoothly. New competitive rates are available.

Angola Corridor

We have opened new landlocked destinations via the 4-main national ports of Luanda, Lobito, Cabinda and Namibe. We now offer the cities of Malange, Bela Vista, Catumbela, Benguela, Bahia Farta, Huambo, Lubango, Malongo, Malembo, Yema, Subantando, Buco Zau, Belize, Necuto and Lubango. All destinations are served by road on a 1-2 day transit time.

CMA CGM

AFRICAN GROUP NEWS New CMA CGM Offers New Land Corridors Across Mauritania Opens Gateway To Landlocked Countries In North West Africa CMA CGM Mauritania has launched a new intermodal service from the port of Nouakchott targeting 15 Mauritanian landlocked cities by road. The move also offers connections from Nouakchott into neighbouring Mali with a road link to Bamako.

“

This new intermodal offer has been implemented to meet our customers’ needs who can now benefit from CMA CGM’s professionalism in terms of quality, reliability, insurance and pricing.

”

Alain Aurousseau, Deputy Vice President Intermodal

CMA CGM’s Wazzan service calls at Nouakchott port every week using three 1,000 TEU vessels. This service calls at both our hubs in Tangiers and Algerciras offering onward global connections. Mauritania has few roads albeit their condition is good. The N1 runs north connecting the gold, copper and iron ore mining towns of Akjoujt, Akar and Zouérat dominated by global-based mining companies. The Trans-African Highway network or N2 runs the length of the coast from Nouadhibou to the Rosso Bridge at the Senegalese border. And finally the N3 traverses the southern part of the country on an East-West Axis. Known as the “Road of Hope” it is the largest and most important road in Mauritania, which links Nouakchott to Néma. This new CTBL service targets cargo such as industrial piping and equipment for water and drainage systems, drilling equipment and construction materials as well as mining equipment, agricultural products and other consumables. Transit Times From Nouakchott

Zouerate

Akjoujt

1 day

Kiffa

2 days

Atar

1 day

Tintane

2 days

Nouadhibou

1 day

Ayoun

2 days

Zouerate

3 days

Gogui [Mali border]

3 days

Rosso

1 day

Timbédra

3 days 3 days

Aleg

1 day

Néma

Bogué

1 day

Bassikounou

5 days

Kaédi

1 day

Bamako

4-5 days*

*depending on formalities Nouadhibou

Strengths

Atar

-----

Door to Door service with flexibility on paying party [FlexCost] No Demurrage and Detention up to final place of delivery No container deposit at destination Dedicated professionals locally for operation follow-up and sales -- Strength of CMA CGM network in Africa -- Priority «Hot Box» status for all transhipments

Akjoujt Nouakchott Aleg Kiffa Rosso Bogue Tintane Kaedi

Ayoun

Nema

Timbedra Gogui

Bassikounou

For a comprehensive review of all our brochures please view: https://www.cma-cgm. com/products-services/ multimodal-solutions/africa

Bamako

PAN AFRICA

RAIL

Region Investing US$30 Billion On 11,000 KM Of Rail In Kenyan the bridge at Voi, northwest of Mombasa port, is the latest construction frontline for the initial 327 billion-shilling [US$3.2 billion] stretch of an ambitious railway project to link the country with landlocked neighbours including Rwanda and Uganda. As a faster alternative to the trucks clogging the only road running inland to the capital, the Chinese-built and financed standard-gauge railway, known as the SGR, has the potential to transform trade in the region. Kenya’s rail line, the country’s biggest investment since independence in 1963, is among the most advanced of the more than US$30 billion of African rail projects planned or under way. Together, they span more than 11,000 km enough to connect Cape Town to Copenhagen. Not all the projects will be built on time, especially with the commodity-price slump weighing on those designed to move raw materials from mines to ports. And with Chinese growth slowing, the nation’s central role in African infrastructure development may diminish. Countries including Kenya and Ethiopia are also borrowing heavily to fund projects. Already, though, U.S. and European and companies such as General Electric Co., Alstom SA and Lafarge Holcim Ltd. are poised to benefit, along with Chinese builders and African suppliers such as Transnet SOC Ltd. GE is investigating opportunities in countries including Kenya, Ethiopia and Nigeria. Besides the East African line, others on the continent include Bollore SA’s plan to develop a 2,700-km West African rail corridor. The project, which has faced legal challenges from rival developers, would link Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin. Also in West Africa, Senegal signed an agreement in December with China Railway Construction for the renovation of 645 km of railroads. Projects are also planned in Tanzania, Mali and Egypt, while Ethiopia recently completed a line connecting Addis Ababa to Djibouti and has another 4,000 km of projects planned.

Rail infrastructure is vital to improve trade between African countries, which stood at just 13% of the total last year, according to the African Union. Kenya, which moves about 5% of freight by rail, predicts the new project will add to economic growth. The government sealed agreements in March with Chinese partners to build the rest of the track up to the border with Uganda, which itself has signed construction agreements for the first phase. Kenya’s initial stretch, from Mombasa to Nairobi, will be ready to start operating by June 2017. The line will have daily capacity for 8-freight trains in each direction, each with the ability to carry the equivalent of more than 100 containers. The Export-Import Bank of China has agreed to fund 90% and 85% respectively of the first two phases of Kenya’s project, with the government covering the rest.

[MG Africa 08/04/16]

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA

CORRIDOR & TRADE NEWS Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda Joint Electronic Cargo Tracking Starts June A joint real-time transit cargo monitoring scheme by Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda will kick off by June to help curb dumping and theft of goods. Goods moving along the northern corridor [Mombasa-Kigali & Kampala] will be monitored. The Electronic Cargo Tracking System [ECTS] comprises satellites, a monitoring centre and special electronic seals fitted on cargo containers and trucks, which give the precise location of goods in real time. The system triggers an alarm whenever there is diversion from the designated route, an unusually long stopover or when someone attempts to open a container. Besides curbing theft of cargo, the system also helps to seal loopholes that cause the states losses in revenue through suspected underdeclaration of the value of exports.

“

The new system’s key strength is that unlike presently, the three northern corridor countries, shall use one system and one platform, with seamless visibility from Mombasa to Kigali and eventually Juba.

”

John Njiraini. Commissioner-General, Kenya Revenue Authority [KRA] Kenya and Uganda have successfully piloted the ECTS while Rwanda has commenced trials and targets to fully adopt the system by mid this year. South Sudan is also expected to come on board soon following in the wake of its recent admission as the sixth member of the East African Community [EAC]. The southern corridor [Dar-es-Salaam-Bujumbura] is expected to be monitored by a similar system. Kenya introduced ECTS in July 2009 as it intensified its purge against dumping of transit goods in the local market. The country is a key gateway to the region in that the Mombasa port handles imports such as fuel and consumer goods for Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] and Somalia and exports of tea and coffee from the region. All importers, exporters, clearing agents and transporters conveying goods under customs control are required to install the ECTS, phasing out tamper-prone seals. In addition to customs, the system will also provide real time information on the location and status of the cargo to transporters and cargo owners or their agents as the goods are transported along the northern corridor. Trade in East Africa has become increasingly seamless following the adoption of a Single Customs Territory [SCT] system. Under the SCT deal that came into effect in 2014, clearing agents within the EAC have been granted rights to relocate and carry out their duties in any of the partner states as part of a strategy to improve flow of goods and curb dumping. Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda were the first to take up the SCT arrangement starting April 1, 2014 with Tanzania joining the scheme 2-months later. Statistics by the Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] showed that transit cargo traffic to the Mombasa port’s vast hinterland of East African region significantly increased from 7.19 million tonnes in 2014 to 7.66 million tonnes in 2015 reflecting an 8.2% growth.

[Geeska 16/03/16]

Tanzania Vehicle Imports In Transit Decline At Dar es Salaam Port Vehicle imports in transit through Dar es Salaam port has declined by 18.9% in the first 2-months of 2016, as the port loses business to its rivals. Vehicle imports declined from 21,196 cars in 2015 to 17,181 in 2016. Dar es Salaam acting Port Manager Hebel Mhanga attributed the decline to VAT on transit goods, long process to correct wrong entry on Tanscend system and introduction of a single custom territory with DR Congo. Also South Africa’s Rand depreciation has pulled business to Durban port as its charges, quoted in Rand, become cheaper. The Dar port data showed that Zambia vehicles through the port have dropped by 55.4% from 6,042 cars between January and February 2015 to 2,692 cars of the same period 2016. Imported vehicles to DR Congo have gone down by 50% to 1,247 vehicles in the first two months of this year in comparison to last year. Many DR Congo importers were opting for other ports after the introduction of a single customer territory as it curbs tax evasion, he said adding that most of them make huge profit by evading taxation. The port also handled less vehicles from Uganda and Rwanda down by 9.8% [92 cars] and 4.4% [390 cars] respectively. However vehicles to Burundi increased by 30.5% to 639 vehicles, Zimbabwe went up by 5% to 2, 616 cars and Mozambique by 60.9% to 37 in the first 2-months of this year. For Tanzania, vehicle imports increased by 0.8% to 7,908 cars compared to the same period last year.

[Daily News 05/04/16]

Uganda Uganda Seeks More Trade With India India has been challenged to open up for more trade with Uganda following a visit by a trade mission from the Engineering Export Promotion Council [EEPC] of India. Bilateral trade between Uganda and India stood at US$1,247.82 million in 2013. India’s exports to Uganda were worth US$1,231 million and Uganda’s exports to India were only US$16 million in 2013. Uganda’s exports to India are predominantly agricultural commodities which include coffee, tea and vegetables, among others. According to Uganda Investment Authority statistics, India was ranked the first source of Uganda’s Foreign Direct Investment in 2014/15 with projects in engineering, pharmaceuticals and ICT taking the lead.

[Monitor 28/04/16]

Zambia ZABS Launches Single Window Online Import Clearance The Zambia Bureau of Standards [ZABS] in collaboration with Zambia Revenue Authority [ZRA], has embarked on a single window online clearance system of imports to speed up the inspection process and help enhance efficiency. The system allows officers to effectively share vital information electronically to speed up the clearance and inspection process. This would also reduce the turnaround time for inspection and clearance of goods. The 2-institutions are piloting the programme at Chirundu border post - one of the busiest points in terms of volume.

[Times Of Zambia 04/04/16]

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA

CORRIDOR & TRADE NEWS Zimbabwe Exports Fall 15% In 2015 Zimbabwe continues to experience a huge trade deficit due to the poor performance of exports exacerbated by a huge import bill. Exports in 2015 were US$2.7 billion, representing a 13% decline from 2014, which stood at US$3 billion. This is a worrisome trend at a time when exports should be the main driver for economic growth. One of the reasons for the decline in export performance is that minerals, which constitute the bulk of Zimbabweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exports, have been affected by the falling international commodity prices. Value added [manufactured] exports, which normally fetch higher earnings, did not perform well during the same period. Estimates from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe show that in 2015, manufactured exports were about US$475.2 million, having declined by about 7% compared to 2014. Seven representative manufacturing subsectors namely: clothing; furniture; food; beverages; engineering; leather and footwear as well as agricultural inputs were selected for this analysis. In 2015, these subsectors constituted about 10% of total exports, down from 13% in 2014. The leather and footwear subsector registered the highest decline of 71% to about US$12 million, followed by horticulture, which registered a decline of about 43% to US$25 million. The furniture subsector recorded a decline of 42%, engineering 40%, food 27% and agricultural inputs 17%. On a positive note, the clothing sub-sector registered an increase in exports of about 70% in 2015 compared to 2014. The beverages sub-sector also registered an increase of 13% to about US$9 million in 2015. The above performance is a reflection of the difficult environment that Zimbabwean manufacturing companies are operating in. Companies face numerous challenges that negatively impact on production and the conduct of export business. These challenges, which reduce the price competitiveness of Zimbabwean products in the export markets, include cost of transportation, strengthening of the US dollar and the erratic supply of macro-economic enablers, among others. In addition, the process of obtaining export documentation [permits/licences] and achieving export compliance makes it cumbersome to export. The challenge with the permits is not only their cost but also the time it takes to process them, which in itself is a higher cost. Some countries in the region [eg South Africa], provide export incentives to facilitate their companies to do business across borders. There is, therefore, an urgent need for Zimbabwe to address trade facilitation issues and implement reforms if we are to realise an export led economic growth.

[Herald 08/04/16]

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA

ROAD Ethiopia

US$222 Million Road To Be Constructed A US$222 million road is to be constructed connecting Agamsa-Bure [85 km] and Nekempte-Anger Gutin-Andhode [86km] in Ethiopia. The development contract has been awarded to an Indian contractor IL&FS Transportation Networks [IL&FS] and its fully-owned Spanish arm Elsamex on an output and performance based road contract [OPRC] basis. The joint venture [JV] was awarded by the Ethiopian Roads Authority for management and maintenance services and improvement works and design. The project is funded by the World Bank and will take 8-years to complete.

[Construction Review 22/03/16]

Kenya/Tanzania AfDB Approves US$228 Million For Strategic Road The African Development Bank [AfDB] approved a US$228million loan to the Government of Kenya to rehabilitate 172km road, linking the towns of Isebania and Ahero, an axis located southeast of Lake Victoria. The renovation of this route will facilitate trade between Kenya and Tanzania. The improvement works, which are to be undertaken from 2016-2019, are expected to reduce to half the travel time and transport costs between the town of Isebania, on the Tanzanian border, and the town of Ahero. The Isebania-KisiiAhero Road forms part of the Sirari Corridor, a major trade and transit route linking Tanzania, Kenya and South Sudan. It serves as the main trade route between Mwanza port [Tanzania], Kisumu port [Kenya], and onward to Juba [South Sudan]. The project implementation area is at the crossroads of several road corridors. The project is estimated to cost US$280.26 million, and is co-financed by the Bank Group [81.4%], EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund [4%], and the Government of Kenya [14.6%]. The project is consistent with the Medium Term Plan [MTP 2013-2017] of Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development strategy as well as the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Integrated National Transport Policy.

[AfDB 31/03/16]

Kenya New Mombasa Bridge Construction Design The Ministry of Transport has kicked off the design for the construction of the Mombasa Gate Bridge with a survey team on site. The first phase will be conducted until July 2016 while the second phase will run to February 2017. Financing will be determined after the completion of the survey. The Mombasa Gate Bridge will offer an alternative passage to the Likoni Ferry, operated by the Kenya Ferry Service that is currently the only available crossing between Mombasa Island and the South Coast. Provision of a permanent crossing will facilitate movement of goods between the Island and South Coast and beyond to Tanzania, reduce conflict between docking ships and ferries and decongest the Island by ensuring unlimited flow of traffic. The project will enhance the capacity of Mombasa port by providing an alternative access as well as spur socio-economic development in the region especially the South Coast. The design of the bridge is being co-financed by Kenyan government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA].

[Capitol FM 14/03/16]

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA

ROAD

Mozambique EU To Pay €16 Million For Road Repairs The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Mozambique has announced that the European Union [EU] will pay €16 million to repair the Milange-Mocuba road in Zambézia province, central Mozambique.

[Macauhub/MZ 31/03/16]

Namibia Roads Authority Earmark Budget For Construction As part of Namibia’s quest to become a regional gateway for Southern Africa Development Community [SADC], the Roads Authority [RA] has budgeted a total N$990 million for the construction of roads for the 2016/17 financial year. Of the total amount, N$808 million is earmarked for road construction to bitumen standard and the construction of gravel roads is budgeted for N$182 million [U$11 million].

[Southern Times 29/03/16]

Rwanda Base-Gicumbi-Rukomo-Nyagatare Road Project The Rwandan Government has received a loan from the African Development Bank [AfDB] to finance the transport sector support project which includes the upgrading of the Base-Gicumbi-Rukomo-Nyagatare road project. The project contributes to the opening up of the country’s interior and promotes trade between northern and eastern regions of Rwanda through a direct all weather road between the towns of Rubavu, Musanze, Base, Gicumbi and Nyagatare.

[AfDB 04/04/16]

South Africa M1 Revamp Starts May The next stage of upgrades to the M1 freeway and bridges in Johannesburg will start early next month, with the closure of lanes on the southbound carriageway. At that stage, the carriageway would be reduced to 2-lanes between the Killarney and St Andrews offramps. The R210-million bridge rehabilitation project is proceeding well. Construction work on the double-decker section and the Oxford and Federation roads bridges is continuing and traffic diversions will remain in place for the next 12 months.

[Engineering News 04/04/16]

June Completion For First Phase Of N8 Highway Rehabilitation The first of 2-contracts that will see the rehabilitation of the N8 highway between Bloemfontein and Thaba Nchu is due for completion in June according to the South African National Roads Agency Limited [Sanral]. The first contract, valued at R463million, is for the upgrading and rehabilitation of the 28 km stretch between Sannaspos and Thaba Nchu. Work on this section started on December 2, 2013 and is due to be completed by June 1. The second contract, valued at R461-million, is for upgrading and rehabilitation of the 24 km stretch between Bloemfontein and Sannaspos. Work on this section started on October 31, 2014 and is due for completion on January 30, 2017.

[Engineering News 31/03/16]

East Cape Roads To Be Reconstructed The South African government has announced plans to boost East Cape roads in South Africa in the next 5-years in a major reconstruction programme of roads. Road sections of the R72 between Port Alfred and Peddie together with the R335 also known as the Addo Road, will undergo a major upgrade in the next 2-financial years. This will also involve construction of the R334, which is a shortcut between the N2 near Colchester and Uitenhaga. The reconstruction of the Sandriver Bridge at Cape St Francis is scheduled to start this year with the already awarded. So far a total of R2.3 billion has been spent on Eastern Cape roads and an additional R5 billion will be spent in the 2016-17 financial year.

[Construction Review 12/04/16]

Sanral To Collect Road Charges At Beitbridge Post In a reciprocal move the South African National Roads Agency Limited [Sanral] is due to start levying road charges on southbound traffic at Beitbridge, the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s busiest land border post. More than 2,000 cars pass through the Beitbridge border post a day in both directions. Beitbridge was a concession toll facility for 20 years until 2014 and was operated by New Limpopo Bridge, the company that built the bridge in 1994. The project was funded by Nedbank, Sanlam, Old Mutual and New Limpopo Bridge Projects, an investment firm controlled by Israeli citizens Mordechai Tager and Zion Elani. When the Beitbridge toll collection concession expired in June 2014, the project was handed over to the Zimbabwean authorities, with motorists coming into and out of that country paying fees to the Zimbabwe National Road Administration [Zinara]. Zimbabwe receives around US$1.6 million a month from these toll fees.

[BD Live 29/03/16]

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA

ROAD

Tanzania Government To Construct Roads To Ease Traffic Tanzanian President John Magufuli announced plans aimed at reducing traffic jams in the capital Dar es Salaam. He was speaking at a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a flyover at the junction of the TanzaniaZambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) headquarters and Mandela Expressway. He noted immediate plans included the construction of a 6-lane 128km highway from Kigamboni Bridge to Chalinze in Coast region with 5-flyovers, adding that the project will be implemented under Public-Private Partnerships [PPP]. South Korea has also expressed interest to finance the construction of a 7km bridge from Coco-beach to Aga Khan Hospital along the Indian Ocean to ease congestion.

[Ghana News 16/04/16]

Checkpoints To Be Reduced On Rusumo Route 15

President Magufuli has announced that only 3-checkpoints will operate along the Dar es Salaam to Rusumo border route in the Great Lakes region. All others that were operating previously will be removed. The 3-checkpoints are at Rusahunga, Singida and Vigwaza.

[Daily News 07/04/16]

Zambia/Botswana Kazungula Bridge Takes Shape Phase-1 of the construction of the Kazungula permanent rail and road bridge between Zambia and Botswana is nearing completion with the construction of the bridge on the Zambian side finished. Kazungula Bridge, a multinational project on the North South Corridor [NSC] in the SADC region, is part of the corridor infrastructure improvement programme intended to boost regional integration. The NSC serves the economies of 8-SADC countries, and the Kazungula road and rail bridge over the Zambezi River would be the key trade route linking the port of Durban in South Africa to the inland countries of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, the DRC, and Mozambique and up to Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania. The construction of the Kazunugla Bridge is a bilateral initiative between Botswana and Zambia, which commenced in December 2014 at a cost of about US$234 million. It is due for completion in Q3 this year. Phase-2 involves construction of One-Stop Border Post [OSBP] facilities and ramps on the Botswana side and the final phase involves construction of similar facilities and ramps on the Zambian side. Phase-1 started in December 2014 and is expected to be completed in December 2018 while Phase-2 is expected to commence this month. The estimated project cost is US$259.3 million funded through a co-financing arrangement with African Development Bank [AfDB] and EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund grant.

[Southern Times 14/04/16]

Zambia Mongu-Kalabo Road Completed The Mongu-Kalabo road traversing the Zambezi River has been completed. Avic International, the contractor on the US$286.9 million project is expected to hand over the project to Government this month.

[ZNBC 07/04/16]

Zimbabwe Japanese Agreement On Roads Japan and Zimbabwe sealed economic agreements with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe immediately making an undertaking to fund local road infrastructure development in the north-south corridor. Zimbabwean Ambassador to Japan Titus Abu-Basutu and Japanese ambassador in the country Mr Yoshi Hiraishi signed the agreement.

[Herald 29/03/16]

Government To Sign MoU On Beitbridge-Harare Road The Government is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] with a new contractor to commence dualisation of the 900km Beitbridge-Harare and Harare-Chirundu Highway. Negotiations with the funders and the contractor are at the concluding stages according to the Minister of Transport, Dr Joram Gumbo. The project is to be implemented over 5-years and divided into 5-segments. Works had been delayed since 2003 by a legal wrangle between Zimbabwe Highways and Government over contractual issues forcing the Government to withdraw the tender in 2013. Government is also looking at the dualisation of the Beitbridge-Victoria Falls and the Harare Nyamapanda roads in the near future.

[Herald 21/03/16]

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA

RAIL Kenya

Northern Corridor SGR Construction Project Taking Shape The Standard Gauge Railway [SGR] construction project in Kenya is finally taking shape. The project is an intergovernmental scheme linking the neighbouring countries of Kenya, Uganda, Southern Sudan and Rwanda. Each is committed to provide an efficient and cost effective rail network as well as a seamless transport alternative for both goods and passengers within the Northern Corridor. The SGR will boost efforts to create a borderless region for purposes of trade and social integration. Each of the partner countries is expected to finance the part of the railway under her territory with Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Exim Bank offering to fund 90% of the first phase while the Kenyan government paying the remaining 10%. Phase-1 covers 472 km from Mombasa to Nairobi reaching a total track length of 609 km at a total cost of Ksh327 billion inclusive of construction and cost of locomotives. This phase is already in advanced stage with the Kenyan government saying the project is way ahead of the 2018 set completion time. The China Road and Bridge Corporation [CRBC] was contracted to build the line that will handle both cargo and passengers with stations at Mombasa, Voi and Nairobi. Upon completion Kenyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arm of the multi-billion mega project is expected to extend to Malaba in Phase-2 with a proposed branch to Naivasha. Uganda will then pick up the project with the line expected to go through Kampala, Kigali and finally to Bujumbura. [CR 21/03/16]

Nimule

Northern Corridor Standard Gauge Railway Malaba Kampala

Kisumu Naivasha

Mirama Hills

Kigali

Nairobi

Embakasi Voi

Bujumbura 17

Mombasa

Funding Talks On Naivasha-Nairobi Rail Link Kenya Railways [KR] is in talks about funding for the remaining stretch of the Standard-Gauge Railway [SGR] that will link the port of Mombasa to Uganda and plans to start work on a link between the capital, Nairobi, and the western town of Naivasha by December. The first phase of the line from Mombasa to Nairobi is on schedule to be completed by June 2017. The Export-Import Bank of China is financing the first phase of the project that will link Nairobi to Mombasa and cost 327 billion shillings [US$3.2 billion]. That part of the line is expected to be commissioned in June 2017. A contract has been signed with the Chinese lender to also fund the US$1.5 billion Naivasha leg.

“

We should start implementation before the end of the year. We are also in the process of concluding discussions, commercial contracts, they are currently under government approval for Naivasha to Kisumu and to Malaba on the Ugandan border.

”

Atanas Maina, Kenya Railways Managing Director

The Transport Ministry will seek cabinet approval by April for the Naivasha-Kisumu and Kisumu-Malaba extensions. Draft commercial agreements will be presented to cabinet and upon approval financing can be discussed with partners. Kenya’s government is expanding ports, railways and power plants to help accelerate economic growth to at least 10% a year from 5.6% in 2015. The railway, which will link Kenya to landlocked Uganda and Rwanda, and possibly South Sudan, will complement an existing line built by the British colonial government at the end of the 19th century. On the Ugandan side the government has already signed commercial contracts for the funding of the link from Malaba to its capital, Kampala. Uganda has completed contractor discussions and are now at the application stage for funding, again with China Ex-Im bank for the Malaba-Kampala section. Financing has yet to be arranged by Uganda for a line to Nimule on the South Sudan border and Mirama Hills on the border with Rwanda.

[Bloomberg 17/03/16]

Kenya Seeks Operator For New Railway Kenya has invited bids for an adviser to help identify an operator for its new Standard Gauge Railway [SGR] network, a massive infrastructure project aimed at boosting trade and cutting transport costs across East Africa. The US$13.8 billion rail project, which began in December 2014, will eventually link Kenya’s Indian Ocean port of Mombasa to the capital Nairobi, then on to Uganda. State-run Kenya Railways [KR] said in a newspaper advertisement the adviser would recommend the appropriate operating model for the railway that is currently under construction. The new Chinese-funded railway line is expected to ferry heavier and bigger containers much faster and reduce pressure on the region’s roads, which have been damaged by heavy traffic and uneven maintenance. The new railway is expected to open up to commercial services in mid-2017. The existing metre gauge railway was built by the British at the turn of the last century and is in bad shape due to years of mismanagement and neglect.

[Reuters 29/03/16]

Chinese Firm To Build Communication Solution Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei won a major railway contract to build a train-to-ground communications solution fully integrated with train signal systems for Kenya’s Mombasa-Nairobi railway line. China Road and Bridge Corporation [CRBC] is currently constructing the 472 km Standard Gauge Railway [SGR] from Mombasa to Nairobi to replace the existing railway line that is over 100 years old.

[Xinhua 07/04/16]

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA

RAIL

Chinese Firm Sign Pact for Naivasha-Malaba SGR Project The state-owned rail giant China Communications Construction Company [CCCC] has signed a major agreement to build a $1.5 billion [Sh153 billion] section of the Standard Gauge Railway [SGR] linking Kenya to landlocked neighbours Uganda and Rwanda. Approved by the Kenyan government, the deal will see CCCC build a 349-km railway extension between Navaisha, north of the capital Nairobi, northwest to Malaba on the border with Uganda. Another Chinese company, China Road and Bridge Corporation, began building the link between Mombasa and Nairobi back in December 2014. The Cabinet approved signing of the commercial contracts between Kenya Railways CCCC on 4-project elements including the rail link between Naivasha-Kisumu and between Kisumu-Malaba. As well as the Kisumu Port Development and expansion of the Inland Container Depot [ICD] at Embakasi in Nairobi. The deal also secures a loan for the Kenyan Government to finance the building of the Navaisha-Nairobi section with construction expected to start by the end of 2016. Kenya is constructing the Mombasa-Malaba SGR as part of the East African Community [EAC] protocol connecting the port to Kampala [Uganda], Kigali [Rwanda] and Juba [South Sudan]. The entire network is due to be in operation by December 2018 with member states working towards meeting the timelines. So far the first phase of the project from Mombasa to Nairobi is 75% complete, to be finalised in June 2017 while the second phase of the project from Nairobi to Naivasha is set to begin in June 2016. Phase 2 [Nairobi-Malaba] has been divided into 3-sub-phases as follows: Phase 2A Nairobi-Naivasha, Phase 2B Naivasha- Kisumu including the development of a new high capacity port at Kisumu and Phase 2C KisumuMalaba. The government has secured a loan from the Government of the Peoples Republic of China to support the development of Phase 2A. The total contract price for this section is US$1.5 billion [Sh150billion].

The signing of these contracts valued at US$5.4 billion marks yet another significant milestone regarding the Kenya - China cooperation for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the 2-countries. During the bilateral talks held between President Uhuru Kenyatta and President of the Peoples Republic of China on the sidelines of the China Africa Forum [FOCAC] in Johannesburg South Africa in December 2015, the 2-Presidents reinstated their commitment to deepen cooperation.

[Capitol FM 25/03/16]

Malawi/Zambia Malawi/Zambia Eye Tazara Line The Governments of Zambia and Malawi have shown interest to revive transportation of petroleum products using the TanzaniaZambia Railway Authority [Tazara] line. Malawi transports freight using Tazara from Dar-es-Salaam to Mbeya where they have a government-owned inland container depot and storage tanks for fuels. From Mbeya, the cargo is moved by road into Malawi. The authority has received positive response from key customers who have increased their monthly volumes of cargo transportation. Tazara is determined to continue building on its achievements to raise its operation performance even higher even though it faces challenges. In November, Tazara received 10 diesel-electric locomotives and 18 coaches which will help improve operations. Tazara is expected to haul 150,000T of freight before the close of the 2015-16 financial year this June, and improve further in the coming years because the market is able to offer more.

[Daily Mail 01/04/16]

Mozambique New Bridge To Increase Maputo-Swaziland Rail Traffic A new railway bridge over the Umbeluzi River will increase the carrying capacity of the railway from Maputo to Swaziland. The existing bridge, which is 50 years old, can only carry wagons of up to 18.5 tonnes per axle. The bridge, being built alongside, offers 27 tonnes per axle. Work on the bridge began in June 2015 and should be completed in August.

[AIM 29/04/16]

Namibia Phase 1 Port Rail Upgrade Completed The Namibian Ports Authority [NPA] has upgraded the railway inside Walvis Bay Port harbour at a cost of N$20 million. The infrastructure has never been upgraded since the authority started managing the port in 1994. Namibia Rail Construction [Pty] Ltd, the contractor, commenced works in February 2015 and finished in November 2015. Some 4.5 km of track and related infrastructure were rehabilitated including the main feeder line into the port as well as the line feeding to the existing container terminal and the 2-staging lines in the container terminal. Subsequent phases of the project will see other sections rehabilitated involving the track foundation, or layerworks.

[Namibian Economist 01/04/16]

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA

RAIL

South Africa CRRC Unveils First Diesel Locomotive For Transnet The first two class 45-000 6-axle diesel locomotives for Transnet Freight Rail, South Africa, rolled off the production line at CRRC Corporation’s Dalian plant in China on March 15th. Transnet placed an order with CNR and its local South African consortium CNR RSSA for 232 class 45-000s in March 2014 as part of a broader procurement of 1,064 locomotives, which are being supplied by 4-manufacturers. The first 20 locomotives will be built in China while the remaining 212 units will be assembled at Transnet Rail Engineering’s workshop in Durban under the supervision of CRRC. The first locomotives have now been shipped to South Africa and are expected to begin mainline testing in June. Deliveries are due to be completed in 2019.

[IRJ 01/04/16]

Earthworks For Majuba Rail Project Nearing Completion The structures and earthworks for State-owned power utility Eskom’s Majuba rail project, in Mpumalanga, are 98% and 96% complete respectively, with 55% of formation ready for track laying, according to construction and engineering group Aveng Grinaker-LTA. Most of the site has been handed over to business unit Aveng Rail, which is installing the rail, with engineering and construction company Ircon installing the overhead traction equipment lines and signalling. The project in is expected to be completed by August. Once the rail is commissioned, coal supply to the Majuba and Tutuka power stations will be secured at 21- million tonnes a year. The Majuba rail project is a component of the Eskom Road-to-Rail Initiative, with the construction of a railway line that links the Majuba power station to the main coal railway hub in Ermelo, Mpumalanga. The 68 km corridor is the first large greenfield freight rail infrastructure project to be carried out in South Africa since 1986 and will be operated by Stateowned logistics provider Transnet Freight Rail. The initiative aims to ensure the security of coal supply through logistics solutions at the Majuba, Tutuka, Camden, Grootvlei, Kendal and Hendrina power stations to cater for a throughput potential of 32-million tonnes a year of coal by rail.

[Engineering News 24/03/6]

Swaziland TE Delivers Wagons Transnet Engineering [TE] presented 25 fuel tanker wagons and 20 container wagons to Swaziland Railway. The wagons, which cost R35-million formed part of an order for 90 wagons, with the remaining 45 to be delivered in May. TE is in the process of implementing its Transnet Africa Strategy, which was intended to integrate South Africa with the Southern African Development Community [SADC] through the promotion of regional rail connectivity.

[Engineering News 06/04/16]

Zambia Mchinji-Petauke-Serenje Rail Project Feasibility studies on the construction of the Mchinji-Petauke-Serenje railway line have been concluded. The government has requested Zambia Public Procurement Agency [ZPPA] to allow it to single-source a contractor. The Zambian government is also considering the construction of the Nseluka-Mpulungu railway line to link the Mpulungu harbour to TAZARA at Nseluka in Mungwi district of Northern Province. The Nseluka-Mpulungu line, which has been in the pipeline for close to 23 years now, is expected to cost about US$50 million.

[The Post 06/04/16]

EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA

OSBP & ICD TERMINALS Rwanda/Tanzania Rusumo Border Facilities Launched Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have launched the Rusumo One-Stop-Border Post and International Bridge on the border between Rwanda and Tanzania. The refurbished border facilities are expected to ease trade along the Central Corridor, which links Rwanda to Dar es Salaam Port.

[New Times 06/04/16]

Rwanda Rubavu Warehouse To Ease Cross-Border Trade The Rwandan Government signed a partnership deal with Alpha Logistics Limited to construct a bonded warehouse at Petit Barrière, Rubavu District in the Western Province. The US$8.6 million [Rwf6.5 billion] facility is part of government’s strategy to boost the country’s logistics industry and promote cross-border trade. Alpha Logistics will design, construct, finance, operate and maintain the facility for 20 years. Construction works are to start in about 2-months. Rwanda’s exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] represents 75% of the total informal cross-border exports followed by exports to Uganda at 17.7%. The country’s exports to Burundi and Tanzania account for only 6.6% and 0.05% respectively. The Government has of late intensified efforts aimed at improving Rwanda’s logistics industry including signing deals with sector players to ensure that the industry becomes more productive. The Government has also announced the construction of logistics hubs at the Mombasa and Dar es Salaam ports and a dry service port [Kigali Logistics Hub] in Kigali, besides upgrading the air cargo facility at the Kigali International Airport.

[New Times 24/03/16]

Zambia Funds Sourced For Muchinje ICD Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Chanda Kasolo noted government has sourced €27 million for construction of the Muchinje dry port in Chipata. Government will also construct a ring road from the great East road to the dry port. On completion the dry port will fully operationalise the Chipata-Muchinji railway line providing the shortest route to Nacala port via the Nacala Corridor.

[ZNBC 17/04/16]

WESTERN AFRICA

CORRIDOR NEWS Gambia/Senegal Border Remains Closed Over Dispute The trans-Gambia highway has effectively been closed to cross-border traffic for over a month by Senegalese transport workers. They have been protesting against the sudden tripling of charges to cross the river on the small and unreliable ferry crossing at Gambia side of the border. All Senegalese vehicles now travelled via Tamba-Kunda. Diplomatic efforts are being intensified to find a quick solution to the problem, with an Ecowas fact-finding mission touring the 2-countries to ascertain the facts that led to the impasse.

[RFI 12/04/16]

Nigeria USAID Promotes Investment On Lagos-Kano-Jibiya Transport Corridor The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the West Africa Borderless Alliance, has hosted a road governance caravan on the southern segment of the Lagos-Kano-Jibiya (LAKAJI) transport corridor. The caravan started in Lagos, passed through Ogun and Oyo, and concluded in Kwara State as an advocacy platform, which aims to remove non-tariff barriers to enhance the competitiveness of the LAKAJI corridor. High shipping costs and long transit times are real disincentives to doing business in Nigeria. By reducing the time and cost of shipping goods on the LAKAJI corridor can serve as a boon for much needed investment.

[Business Day 15/04/16]

WESTERN AFRICA

ROAD Cameroon

Yaounde-Bafoussam-Babadjou Road Project The Government of Cameroon has requested funding from the African Development Bank [AfDB] to cover the costs of rehabilitating the Yaounde-Bafoussam-Babadjou road [241km]. A tender has been issued for a consultant for control and supervision of the works. [AfDB 30/03/16]

DRC Lovua Tshikapa Road Works The Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC] has received funding from the African Development [AfDB] for the BatshambaTshikapa section of the Lovua Tshikapa [56km] road. Works are expected to take 24-months. A government tender has been issued.

[AfDB 22/03/16]

Ghana Transport Ministry Sets Up Authority To Regulate Road Activities The Transport Ministry, with funding from the European Union, is to set up a Road Transport Authority to regulate all activities in the road transport industry. Draft regulations and framework for the establishment of the authority has already been prepared and will soon be placed before Parliament for consideration.

[GNA 10/04/16]

Tema Motorway Expansion Contract Signed The Minister of Transport, Fiifi Kwetey, announced an agreement has been reached on the Tema motorway which is to be expanded into 6-lanes at a cost of US$1.5 billion. The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority [GPHA] has entered into a concessionary agreement with a private consortium to expand the Port of Tema to more than three times its current capacity. The first phase is the construction of 4-container terminals and the expansion of the motorway. The project is expected to be completed in 2018 and is one of the biggest port expansion projects in West Africa.

[Ghanaweb 08/04/16]

WESTERN AFRICA

ROAD Morocco

Casablanca Road Improvements Some 3 billion dirhams [â&#x201A;Ź276 million] has been assigned to the renovation of roads in Casablanca. The city also plans to install an urban monitoring system, with 760 CCTV cameras to regulate traffic at a cost of 460 million dirhams [â&#x201A;Ź42.3 million]. The project also includes the construction of 2-bypass roads and a tunnel near the mosque Hassan II. A bypass in Sidi Maarouf will reduce congestion in the direction of the airport of Marrakech, while another bypass being built to the south of the city will facilitate access to highway Casablanca-Jadida airport from Casablanca Finance city.

[Oxford Business Group 29/03/16]

Nigeria FERMA Rehabilitates Kaduna-Abuja Highway The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency [FERMA] is currently repairing the Kaduna-Abuja highway. Meanwhile the Road Maintenance Agency will provide the necessary support and logistics to ensure that the road is repaired. Under the national budget the government plans to commit US$1 billion to fix its transport infrastructure.

[CR 31/03/16]

Cross River State Highway Halted The construction of a 260km highway has been temporarily halted pending the conclusion of an Environmental Impact Assessment [EIA]. The planned highway would cross Cross River National Park proposed by UNESCO as World Heritage Site. The highway is expected to serve as an evacuation route for cargo from the proposed Bakassi Deep Sea Port in the south to the north of the country via Gakim.

[Construction Review 08/0416]

Lagos State Roads Lagos State government has embarked on a mission that will see 114 rural roads constructed across 57 council areas. The governor announced plans to construct 2-roads in every council and tasked council heads to pick roads of their choice. Construction work has simultaneously started in 20 local governments and 37 local Council Development Areas [LCDAs].

[Construction Review 22/03/16]

Senegal Rehabilitation Of National Road N2 The African Development Bank [ADB] has provided financing of the rehabilitation of the trunk road â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;N2â&#x20AC;&#x2122; which connects Ndioum-Ourossogui-Bakel. The project covers the sections between Thilogne-Ourossogui [50km], Hamady Ounare-Bakel [99km] and the opening up of Morphil Island [137km]. A call for tenders has been issued. The project will promote competitiveness and transit of the North and East regions covering St. Louis, Matam and Tambacounda and will develop sub regional trade with Mali and Mauritania. It will also open up mining and agricultural potential through the development of the Senegal River Valley.

[AfDB 30/03/16]

WESTERN AFRICA

RAIL

Ghana Eastern Railway Line Development Transaction advisory services are ongoing to select an appropriate private sector investor to partner the Ghana Government to develop the Eastern Railway Line and the Boankra Inland Port on a Public Private Partnership [PPP] basis. Meanwhile construction of the Takoradi-Kojokrom Rail to support rail mass transportation within the SekondiTakoradi Metropolis is ongoing and around 55% complete. The Government is also considering an Indian Exim Bank credit facility to construct the Tema-Akosombo Line part of the Eastern Corridor multimodal network. The first phase of the Takoradi Port Expansion project, which involved the extension of breakwater by 1.08km dredging to 14m chart datum and reclamation of bulk ore terminal area is ongoing and is about 96% complete.

[GNA 10/04/16]

Railway Unions Merge 27

Two rival unions - the Railway and Allied Transport Workers Union Workers Union [RATWU] and the Railway Workers Union [RWU] - which were operating separately within the ailing Ghana Railway Company Limited [GRCL] have merged. Now known as the Ghana Railway Workers Union [GRWU].

[Chronicle 05/04/16]

Morocco Morocco Gets Funding For Rail Infrastructure Work The Moroccan government has signed loan agreements worth US$112.30 million with the African Development Bank [AfDB] to secure funding for the railway infrastructure projects being initiated by the National Railways Office [ONCF]. The funds will be used to boost the transportation line between Casablanca and Marrakech, and also improve the capacity and service quality on stations between Tangier and Casablanca to meet both passenger and cargo traffic by 2020. The agreements were signed by Yacine Fal, AfDB resident representative in Morocco, with Economy Minister Mohamed Boussaid and ONCF director general Mohamed Rabie Khlie.

[Trade Arabia 10/04/16]

Senegal/Mali New Operator For Dakar-Bamako Railway The governments of Senegal and Mali have established Dakar Bamako Ferroviaire to manage the revival of the 1,286 km railway between the port of Dakar and Bamako. The new company replaces concessionaire TransRail, a 51% subsidiary of Advens which had operated the metre-gauge line under a concession awarded in 2006 before running into difficulties. A 4-year restructuring plan had been announced in December 2014, but in December 2015 the governments agreed to terminate the concession and announced they would appoint a new board in 90 days. The 5-member board has 2-representatives from each country plus head Joseph Gabriel Sambou of Senegal, who called on railway staff to forget the past and unite to develop the business. At the end of 2015 both governments each entered into agreements for China Railway Construction Corp [International] Ltd to repair and reconstruct their sections of the line.

[Railway Gazette 23/03/16]