CTBL-WATCH
AFRICA
ISSUE 30 | JUNE 2016
CMA CGM OFFERS NEW INLAND SERVICE ACROSS NIGERIA Full Story On Page 5
CTBL-WATCH
AFRICA
ISSUE 30 | JUNE 2016
Contents 03 | Corridor Review 05 | African Group News NEW: CMA CGM Offers New Inland Service Across Nigeria, Connects Lagos Terminals With Central A2 Corridor & Coastal Cities
07 | Eastern & Southern Africa Regional: SADC Investment Conference / Removal Of Non-Tariff Barriers Boost East African Trade Angola/Zimbabwe: Jimbe Dry Port On Course Botswana/Zambia: Transport Operators Cry Foul Ethiopia: US$258 Million Roads Authority Projects / World Bank Supports Improvement of Urban Transport Systems / US$3 Billion Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway To Operate September Kenya: SGR Targets Completion Ahead Of Schedule Mozambique: New Investments Planned For Nacala Railways / US$3 Million For Nacala Railway Capacity Increase Rwanda: Rwanda Abandons Kenya SGR Rail Route South Africa: Moloto Road Upgrade / Transnet Invites Bids To Build/Operate New Gauteng Inland Port Swaziland: Manzini-Mbadlane [MR3] Highway Tanzania: First Seven Flyovers In Dar Es Salaam To Be Constructed Tanzania/Rwanda: Trade Forum Kicks Off New Chapter Of Bilateral Relations Tanzania/Zambia: China To Take Over TAZARA In New Plan Uganda: Uganda To Benefit From Cross Border Trade Funding / TMEA Gives Uganda Sh100 Million For Northern Corridor Project / France To Finance Kampala-Jinja Expressway Project / Aswa Bridge Ready Next Year / China Exim Sets Terms For Financing SGR Zambia: Nseluka-Kayambi Road / Kazungula Bridge One Stop Border Post [OSBP] Zambia/Angola: Countries Hold Talks On Road Transport Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe To Launch Trade Information Portal / US$5 Billion Needed For Road Rehabilitation - To Offer BOT Tender / Zinara Unveils US$1.7 Million Road Survey Fund / Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway / Beitbridge-BulawayoVictoria Falls Road Works Commence June / NRZ Mulls Forensic Audit
21 | Western Africa Regional: ECOWAS Trade Facilitation Workshop / West Africa Railway Link: Bollore Challenged by Geftarail Burkina Faso: Borderless Anti-Corruption Road Campaign Underway Cameroon: Increase In Transit Of Central African & Chadian Goods Despite Insecurity DRC: Batshamba-Tshikapa Road Development Project Gabon: EXIM Bank Finances Locomotives For SETRAG Liberia: MPW, USAID Launch Feeder Road Program Nigeria: Dangote Group Commissions Longest Concrete Road In Country / Kwara State To Construct Diamond Split Underpass / Lagos State Sign MoU To Construct 4th Mainland Bridge / Ministry Test-Runs Abuja-Kaduna Rail For July Launch / Government Mulls Privatisation of Lagos-Kano Rail Line Nigeria/Cameroon: Ekok-Mfum Bridge Project Senegal/Gambia: Senegal Re-Opens Border Senegal/Guinea Bissau: Border Talks To Promote Trade Togo: Togo To Receive Financing From Saudi Fund For Road Infrastructures
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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 June 2016 22-24
Water Africa and West Africa Building & Construction Ghana 2016 (Accra, Ghana)
27-29
5th International Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture (Cape Town, South Africa)
28-08
Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair 2016 (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania)
http://www.ace-events.com/
http://agriculture-horticulture.conferenceseries.com/
http://www.tantrade.or.tz/index.php
News Briefs Western Africa
Eastern & Southern Africa
ANGOLA -- Almeidas & MacroService from the central Huambo are exporting processed wood to Namibia and USA respectively. Others companies expected to begin to export soon.
BOTSWANA -- Botswana is to add up to 820MW of power into the national grid from both coal and solar powered plants by 2020, leaving it a surplus for exports.
DRC -- China’s Sinohydro and China Railway Group will finance a $660m hydroelectric plant. The 240 MW dam in Busanga will power Sicomines, a nearby copper/ cobalt mining JV between the 2-Chinese companies and Congolese state miner Gecamines. GHANA -- Ghana’s National Petroleum Corporation sees first oil production at the offshore Sankofa field being developed by Eni and Vitol in H2 2017, and initial gas output early the following year. GUINEA -- Dubai-based resources firm Gajah Investment Group is in talks with trading houses to develop bauxite reserves in Guinea, valued at $8-billion and previously held by BHP Billiton. Gajah also expected Chinese involvement in the project. Production to start by year end yet no contact as yet. NIGERIA -- Dangote Group has announced plans to construct a refinery and a petrochemical plant in Lagos. The proposed facilities will have the potential to satisfy daily requirement of 445-550,000 barrels of fuel, with spare capacity to export. -- US fund manager Pecora Capital has said it will raise US$2b over the next 18 months for Nigerian infrastructure projects.
KENYA -- China will pardon US$5m in bilateral debt owed by Mozambique. RWANDA -- Rwanda asked the IMF for a short term US$200m facility to fend off foreign exchange risks in case the country’s reserves dwindled. SOUTH AFRICA -- Italian energy group Enel Energy noted its 66MW Tom Burke photovoltaic plant in Limpopo province has been connected to the grid, raising capacity to almost 160MW. -- Paper group Sappi to explore extraction of biorenewable chemicals after signing an agreement with supplier Valmet to build a 2ng-generation sugar extraction demonstration plant at the Ngodwana mill. TANZANIA/ZANZIBAR -- Mineral sands developer Strandline Resources has raised $2.3m through a share placement with private equity fund group Tembo. -- Australian Cradle Resources secured commitments for A$2.16m to carry its working capital requirements until project financing came through. It is developing the Panda Hill niobium project. ZAMBIA -- France’s Neoen SAS, USA’s First Solar Inc and Italy’s Enel Green Power were the winners of an initial auction for “Scaling Solar” winning backing to build generating plants next year from the World Bank. 2
CTBL AFRICA
CORRIDOR REVIEW Eastern & Southern Africa Current Situation
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Kenya [Mombasa] -Great Lakes / Uganda / Rwanda / South Sudan
Kenya: We 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. 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.
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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. Uvira via Burundi available 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.
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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.
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Mozambique Nacala Corridor
New competitive rail rates for Nacala corridor to Malawi final destination.
Mozambique Beira Corridor
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.
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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.
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S. Africa Durban
New inland reefer ‘overborder’ solution available via Durban to inland countries: Zimbabwe, DRC, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland.
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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.
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Corridor
Western Africa Corridor
Current Situation
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Benin-Niger
Service is operating very well by road to Niamey. Our Cotonou agency has signed a new contract with BENIRAIL [Bénin-Niger Rail]. The move opens up a new rail option for transit cargo from Cotonou port to Parakou.
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Nigeria Corridor
NEW! From Lagos [Tin Can & Apapa] we offer inland solutions along the A2 corridor: Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and the northern city of Katsina on the A9 near the Niger border. We also provide alternative direct rail services from Lagos to Kano. And links to the coastal oil-refining city of Port Harcourt by road. All running well.
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Cameroon-Chad
We offer both road and rail services to Chad which are running well. The train operator, CAMRAIL, offers a good service.
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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.
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Gabon Corridor
From Libreville, we serve domestic destinations by road to Franceville, Lambarene, Mouila, Bitam, Moanda, Mitzicnd Makokou.
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Congo Corridor
Pointe Noire-Brazzaville corridor is REOPENED. We offer an inland service from Pointe Noire to Dolisie, Brazzaville, Oyo and Ouesso.
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DRC Corridor
Matadi-Kinshasa service is running smoothly. New competitive rates are available.
Angola Corridor
We serve the interior via the 4-main national ports of Luanda, Lobito, Cabinda and Namibe. We offer transit to 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.
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CMA CGM
AFRICAN GROUP NEWS CMA CGM Offers New Inland Service Across Nigeria Connects Lagos Terminals With Central A2 Corridor & Coastal Cities CMA CGM Nigeria has launched a new intermodal service from the port of Lagos. Serving both Tin Can & Apapa terminals, we can now offer new inland solutions along the A2 corridor targeting Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and the northern city of Katsina on the A9 close to the Niger border. We can also provide alternative direct rail services from Lagos/Apapa to Kano. Furthermore we also offer links to and from the coastal oil-refining city of Port Harcourt by road. This new CTBL service targets cargo such as industrial piping and equipment for water and drainage systems, drilling equipment, oil industrial parts and construction materials as well as mining equipment, agricultural products and other consumables.
“
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.
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Alain Aurousseau, Deputy Vice President Intermodal
Inland CTBL Service Strengths Katsina Kano
Kaduna
-- Door to Door service with flexibility on paying party [FlexCost] -- No Demurrage & Detention up to final place of delivery -- No container deposit at destination -- Dedicated professionals locally for operation follow-up & sales -- Strength of CMA CGM network in Africa -- Priority «Hot Box» status for all transhipments
Transit Times Abuja
Lagos [Road]
Lagos [Rail]
Abuja
3
-
Kaduna
4
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Kano
5
3
Port Harcourt
3
-
Katsina
5
-
Lagos Tincan
Local Agency Contact
Apapa
Mr Alasa Faruku Email: lgs.falasa@cma-cgm.com Tel: +234 703 225 6771
Port Harcourt 5
For more information on our Nigerian agency, please see: http://www.cma-cgm.com/local/ nigeria
Abuja
The capital city of Nigeria. It is located in the centre of Nigeria, within the Federal Capital Territory [FCT], and houses many parastatals and multinational corporations head offices in clearly demarcated commercial districts. As well as offices of the executive, legislative and judicial arms, Abuja is the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] and the regional headquarters of OPEC.
Kaduna
The capital of Kaduna State, is an industrial center of Northern Nigeria, manufacturing products like textiles, automobiles, machinery, steel, aluminium, petroleum products and bearings
Kano
The capital of Kano State, has long been the economic centre of northern Nigeria, and a centre for the production and export of peanuts, cotton, textile materials, leather and grains. Kano is strategically located and owns its leading position as commercial hub in the sub-Saharan Africa. Kano is linked by both road and rail. The 836km SGR railway from Kano to Lagos was opened in 2013, built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company.
Katsina
The capital of Katsina state. The region has large deposits of kaolin [clay] and asbestos as well as soft commodities including cotton and groundnuts. The area has set up numerous export processing centres to promote trade.
Port Harcourt
Port Harcourt is the capital of Rivers State. It lies along the Bonny River and is located in the Niger Delta. As the chief oil-refining city in the country it is a major industrial centre for international petroleum companies.
Maritime Links CMA CGM offers global maritime services which serve at Lagos port [Apapa & Tin Can] every week. WAX
Tin Can & Apapa
Weekly
We offer best transit time from/to China [4 ports] and South East Asia focused on Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Korea.
13 vessels / 3,5003,700 TEU
WAX 2
Apapa
Weekly
Competitive transit times direct to South China [Yantian, Nansha and Hong Kong] as well as the Malaysian hubs of Port Kelang & Tanjung Pelepas.
11 vessels / 4,500 TEU
WAX 3
Tin Can & Apapa
Weekly
Excellent coverage of Asia includes 4 direct ports call in Central and Southern China.
12 vessels / 4,500 TEU
MIDAS
Tin Can & Apapa
Weekly
Direct service to Middle East Gulf & Indian serving Khor Al Fakkan Mundra, Nava Sheva & Jebel Ali direct. Connects to our La Reunion hub offering onward global connections.
11 vessels / 3,0003,400 TEU
EURAF 2 Tin Can & Apapa
Weekly
Connects to our Tangiers & Algerciras hubs offering onward global connections.
4 vessels / 3,400 TEU
EURAF 4 Onne
Weekly
Direct service to Mediterranean Europe. Calls at our Tangiers & Algerciras hubs offering onward global connections.
8 vessels / 2,2002,525 TEU 6
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
CORRIDOR & TRADE NEWS Regional SADC Investment Conference The Southern African Development Community [SADC] Beira and North-South corridors’ investment meeting was held in May to strategize on management of regional transport institutions. Offering closed sessions between officials and technocrats, the meeting considered proposed governance frameworks and legal instruments as well as development of a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] between the Beira Development Corridor and North-South Corridor. Broad consensus has now been reached on the draft MoU but there has been an impasse since 2012 arising from disagreements concerning options for funding institutions and projects. The MoU needs to be finalised and adopted by prospective corridor member states. Zimbabwe and Mozambique already have a MoU for the coordination of the Beira Corridor. The key sectors considered in the corridor are transport, water, energy and information communication technologies.
[Chronicle 01/06/16]
North-South Corridor
Members: Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Institutions making up the bloc are sectoral and regional industry associations such as Southern Africa Railway Association [SARA] and Association of Southern African National Road Agencies [ASANRA]; the Federation of East and Southern Africa Road Transport Association [FESARTA] and the Southern African Telecommunications Association [SATA] among others.
Beira Corridor
The road and railway network anchored on the port of Beira in Mozambique and serving Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and the DRC.
Removal Of Non-Tariff Barriers Boost East African Trade Removal of key Non-Tariff Barriers [NTBs] has contributed to a 14% reduction in time taken to import goods from one East African country to another. This was the conclusion of a recent independent evaluation of the NTBs trade programs within East Africa. The US$7.89 million program was carried out across EAC partner states, supported by TradeMark East Africa [TMEA]. It identified 112 NTB’s and resolved 87 of them by the time of the evaluation was done. Programme benefits are expected to be in the range of US$35-45 million at constant trade volumes.
CASESTUDY Reducing NTB’s has contributed to the reduction in cost of transporting a 40 foot container from Mombasa to Kigali, from US$6,500 in 2011 to around US$4,800. This, evaluators estimated, generated a saving of approximately US$7 million on the Mombasa-Kigali route.
According to the report, the enactment of The EAC Elimination Act positively impacted on the NTBs programme. The Act seeks to empower the second clause under Article 13 of the Customs Union, which aims at establishing a legal mechanism for identifying and monitoring removal of NTBs. Established in 2005, the Customs Union, through its Protocol, subsequently agreed to strive towards the removal of internal taxes and non-tariff barriers on intra-EAC trade.
Analysts, however, argue that elimination of NTBs still remain a great challenge to, not only regional trade and integration, but also a subject that partner states grapple with in the quest of growing trade within the regional bloc. Despite these fears, the widely held view is that elimination of NTB’s to trade remains priority for TMEA in reducing the costs of trade in EAC and increasing efficiency of EAC corridors.
[Sudan Tribune 26/05/16]
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Botswana/Zambia Transport Operators Cry Foul At a Botswana-Zambia joint committee in Kasane, Botswana freight operators debated over unfair business practices in Zambia noting heavy fees and levies. Botswana operators felt operating in Zambia no longer looked viable and sustainable for their businesses. Truckers also complained of inconsistencies with weighing formulas, which they said are not in line with South African Development Community [SADC] protocols. Moreover, axle weight limits, which have been increased by SADC, have not been implemented by Zambia and all these factors have soured the business climate for Batswana who operate in Zambia. The Zambian delegation promised that council levies would be reviewed as they were also a contentious issue even in Zambia. This was the second meeting between the 2-countries since 2008, and as such operators called for more of such meetings to resolve issues much quicker.
[BOPA 22/05/16]
Tanzania/Rwanda Trade Forum Kicks Off New Chapter Of Bilateral Relations President John Magufuli’s recent visit to Rwanda paved the way for the first ever Tanzania-Rwanda Trade Forum which was held in Kigali in May. The trade forum aimed at strengthening bilateral ties in a new chapter of warming diplomatic relations. The joint summit was the first of its kind and was attended by hundreds of key business players and government officials from both countries. The event, themed “Committed to strengthening bilateral trade relations and investment opportunities”, was coorganised by the Private Sector Federation of Rwanda and the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. Trade between the 2-countries has reportedly fallen from US$105 million in 2013 to US$68 million last year. Tanzania is currently Rwanda’s third largest trading partner within the East African Community [EAC]. The country’s port of Dar es Salaam is vital to Rwanda, handling a majority of Rwandan imports and exports. Ramping up its exports with Tanzania could help Rwanda cut down on its trade deficit, which increased by 6.29% in March, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.
[IBTimes 19/05/16]
HISTORY Tanzania’s relations with Rwanda soured in 2013 following a disagreement between the 2-administrations. Since the November inauguration of Tanzanian President Magufuli there have been significant steps toward improving bilateral relations. Rwandan President Kagame attended the swearing-in ceremony in Dar es Salaam port, and Magufuli returned the favour by visiting Kigali last month to participate in the 22-year commemoration of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
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EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
CORRIDOR & TRADE NEWS Uganda Uganda To Benefit From Cross Border Trade Funding Uganda will benefit from another round of funding to improve cross border trade. Trademark East Africa [TMEA] noted Uganda will benefit from US$100 million funding after the country performed well with resources it was allocated over the last 5-years. TMEA also noted transporters now travel from Mombasa, Kenya to Kampala, Uganda within a week down from 24 days and that they are looking at further reducing that time.
“
At the moment we have invested US$100 million: US$75 million [Shs252.75 billion] in country programmes and trade facilitation and US$25 million [Shs84.25 billion] in border post development.
”
The new funding, will among other things, be directed towards facilitating trade with South Sudan, Uganda’s biggest export market. This includes a border post at Nimule-Elegu and promotion of the Gulu logistic hub. Work will also focus on standards, addressing non-tariff barriers, and automation of trade processes particularly the single window. TMEA is looking to inject between US$800-850 million for the next phase of 5-years in the East African region. The investment will boost cross border trade between EAC and its neighbours such as Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC], Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique.
[Monitor 03/06/16]
TMEA Gives Uganda Sh100 Million For Northern Corridor Project Trademark East Africa [TMEA] has given Uganda office equipment worth sh100 million to support the creation of a coordinating center for the Northern Corridor Integration Project Initiative [NCIP]. The project aims to enhance regional integration as a tool of delivering economic development. Once the NCIP project is fully implemented it will lead to a faster transformation of the region and improve competitiveness and the business environment. The project aims to reduce time and cost, enhance efficiency on both regional and international trade by improving trade systems processes and infrastructure.
[New Vision 02/06/16]
Zimbabwe Zimbabwe To Launch Trade Information Portal Zimbabwe is to launch the country’s first Trade Information Portal [TIP] later this month. The portal is designed as a one-stop facility providing relevant information for engaging in trade and investment within Zimbabwe including: -----
Economic and investment data Business intelligence Duties and taxes Trade agreements and national regulations.
Countries in the region like Botswana and South Africa have already leveraged their online presence to accommodate trade and investment partners.
[TechZim 01/06/16]
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EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
ROAD Ethiopia
US$258 Million Roads Authority Projects The Ethiopian Roads Authority has signed a US$258 million road project agreement that will cater for the expansion and construction of 7-major roads: Awash-Mile III [75km], Awash-Mile IV [74km], Addis-Mojjo-Meki [131km], Meki-ShashemeneHawassa [146km], Soroka-Abrhagira-Abderafi [92km], Aykel-Zufan-Angerib [69km] and Beles-Mekanebirhan [39km]. The firms that won the tender are Ethiopian Construction Works Corporation, Markan Trading PLC, Mekelakeya Construction Enterprise, Yonatan Abiy General Works and Sur Construction for all the seven bids.
[Construction Review 2/06/16]
World Bank Supports Improvement of Urban Transport Systems The World Bank Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$300 million International Development Association [IDA] credit to improve mobility along selected corridors in Addis Ababa and the effectiveness of road safety compliance systems throughout Ethiopia. The project aims to improve mobility in Addis Ababa and road safety countrywide. This will involve expanding the existing traffic signal and control systems in Addis Ababa and improving the conditions on selected streets amongst others. The number of vehicles operating in Addis Ababa is relatively low compared to other cities of similar size yet congestion has been worsening, thereby raising concerns in the manner in which traffic is managed.
[World Bank 03/06/16]
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EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
ROAD South Africa
Moloto Road Upgrade The Transport Minister and SANRAL have attended a sod turning ceremony for the upgrading works of the R573 Moloto Road. Known as the “road of death� the 160km stretch runs through 3-provinces: Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, and is used by approximately 50,000 commuters daily. The road remains an important economic route connecting these provinces.
[Government 02/06/16]
Swaziland Manzini-Mbadlane [MR3] Highway The Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland has received a loan from the African Development Bank [AfDB] to finance the construction of the Manzini-Mbadlane [MR3] Highway Project Lot 1. The Government has appointed the Ministry of Public Works and Transport [Roads Department] as the Executing Agency. Invitations for Bid [IFB] will be issued in July 2016.
Tanzania First Seven Flyovers In Dar Es Salaam To Be Constructed Plans are currently underway to construct the first seven flyovers in Dar es Salaam to ease traffic. Government is in discussion English Mabey Bridge Company to build the flyovers to commence in December this year over 3-6 months financed by the government of Tanzania.
[Construction Review 2/06/16]
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Uganda France To Finance Kampala-Jinja Expressway Project The French government, through its public bank and overseas development agency, Agence Française de Développement [AFD], has said it will commit €180 million [Shs667b] to the development of the proposed Kampala-Jinja Expressway next year. The 77km stretch of road starts at Nakawa in Kampala and connects to Jinja Township. Its development will also go hand-in-hand with construction of the Kampala Southern Bypass, an 18km road stretch that will start at Butabika, on the eastern outskirts of Kampala, and connect to the New Kampala-Jinja Expressway and Munyonyo at the new Entebbe-Kampala Expressway whose construction is already ongoing.
[Monitor 03/06/16]
Aswa Bridge Ready Next Year Uganda National Roads Authority [UNRA] says a new, longer and wider Aswa Bridge will be ready in 2017, after construction works began late April. The new 2-lane structure will be 56m long with 3-spans, that’s 24.9m longer than the single-span 1950’s bridge that collapsed last October. The Aswa Bridge is located on the Lira-Acholi-Bur road, linking Pader and Lira districts. The Chinese firm CICO is undertaking the Shs 11.12bn works.
[Observer 16/05/16]
Zambia Nseluka-Kayambi Road The Zambian Government has begun the construction of the Nseluka-Kayambi road that will link Mungwi district in Northern Province and Nakonde in Muchinga Province. The Road Development Agency [RDA] announced that construction is being done by China Geo.
[Daily Mail 31/05/16]
Zambia/Angola Countries Hold Talks On Road Transport Zambia and Angola held bilateral talks in Solwezi, North-Western Province, aimed at improving transportation between the 2-countries. The meeting, to actualise the road transport agreement signed in August last year, was attended by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Road Transport and Safety Agency [RTSA].
[Daily Mail 17/05/16]
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EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
ROAD Zimbabwe
US$5 Billion Needed For Road Rehabilitation - To Offer BOT Tender Zimbabwe needs some US$5 billion over the next 5-10 years for its national road development and rehabilitation programme, according to the Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joram Gumbo. That’s, about US$500 million annually. However, the allocation from both the Zimbabwe National Road Administration [Zinara] and Treasury in 2015 was just over US$6 million. This has been the trend over the years resulting in a huge backlog in road maintenance activities. As part of efforts to address the funding shortages, the government will soon embark on an extensive Build Operate Transfer [BOT] road programme that will see most of the primary roads being put to tender. There will also be an improved fund management by Zinara to provide more allocation to the road programme. Against this background, the government is also negotiating with regional financiers for funding to recapitalise the National Railway of Zimbabwe [NRZ]. The company is engaged with the Development Bank of Southern Africa for a US$650 million loan facility.
[Chronicle 01/06/16]
Zinara Unveils US$1.7 Million Road Survey Fund The Zimbabwe National Road Administration [Zinara] has announced US$1.7 million for a roads condition survey to determine the level of service and maintenance required across the nation. The last survey was undertaken in 1999.
[News Day 08/06/16]
Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Highway The long-awaited dualisation of the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu highway by Chinese firm China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd [CHEC] worth over US$2 billion has moved a step closer after government deployed local engineers on site to carry out exploratory work. Austrian company Geiger International will be the financiers, whilst Chinese firm CHEC are the contractors. Zimbabwe is the artery and hub of SADC’s road transport network linking Southern Africa with the rest of Africa. The BeitbridgeHarare-Chirundu highway facilitates regional trade between Southern Africa and Central, East and North Africa.
[Independent 03/06/16]
Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road Works Commence June Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister, Joram Gumbo, noted preparations for the dualisation of the BeitbridgeBulawayo-Victoria Falls road will start June, with government inviting tenders for the project. The move follows the successful dualisation of the Plumtree-Bulawayo-Harare-Mutare highways. Both these roads connect Bulawayo and other regions and countries especially, South Africa, Zambia and Botswana.
[News Day 30/05/16]
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EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
RAIL Ethiopia
US$3 Billion Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway To Operate September According to the Ethiopian Railway Corporation [ERC] a US$3 billion electric rail cutting across Ethiopia from Addis Ababa to the Red Sea state of Djibouti will start operating by September this year. So far 95% of the line is complete with the project waiting for its allocation of electricity. The 756km Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway provides landlocked Ethiopia with improved railroad access to the sea. The line covers 656km from Addis Ababa to the Dewale border town, with the other 100km stretching to Djibouti’s Doraleh Port. The line, built by China and financed by the Export-Import Bank of China, is expected to boost Ethiopia’s trade by reducing the goods movement duration from 2-days to 8-hours. Currently, hundreds of trucks are transporting goods between the 2-countries, taking a total of 4-days for a round trip. Meanwhile another electric railway that will link the north of Ethiopia with Djibouti’s Tadjourah Port, is 30% complete.
[Exchange 11/06/16]
Dewale
Tadjourah Port
Addis Ababa
Doraleh Port 14
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
RAIL
Kenya SGR Targets Completion Ahead Of Schedule President Kenyatta has announced that the construction of Sh420 billion Standard Gauge Railway [SGR] which runs from the coastal city of Mombasa to Nairobi will be completed ahead of the schedule. The announcement was made as the President visited a section of the 472-km project. The government is also in talks with investors to put up industrial parks along the SGR at Dongo Kundu in Mombasa, Voi, Mtito Andei, Nairobi and Naivasha. More than 75% civil works have been completed on Phase-1, with over 235 km trackline laid between Voi and Sultan Hamud. The Phase-2 will cover 487km from Nairobi-Kisumu-Malaba. It is divided into 3-subphases: -- 2A: 120km from Nairobi to Naivasha. -- 2B: 262 km from Naivasha-Narok-Bomet-Ahero-Kisumu -- 2C: 107 km from Kisumu-Yala-Mumias-Malaba in western Kenya.
15
The SGR is expected to promote integration and industrialisation and ease movement as well as reduce transportation costs from Mombasa port to Nairobi, and other destinations, projecting Kenya’s position as a regional business hub.
[Machakos News 30/05/16]
Mozambique New Investments Planned For Nacala Railways The rail corridor from the northern Mozambican port of Nacala-a-Velha to the Moatize coal basin in Tete province will receive US$3-billion of new investment to boost its capacity to transport the coal produced in Moatize, according to government spokesperson, Deputy Health Minister Mouzinho Saide. US$1.9 billion will be invested in Mozambique and the rest in Malawi. The new investment will significantly increase the capacity of the line which, in 2015, was capable of carrying 22 million tonnes of cargo a year. The Council of Ministers have approved a direct agreement between the government and the two main rail and port leaseholders in the north, the Northern Development Corridor [CDN], and the Nacala Integrated Logistics Corridor [CLN]. The agreement is needed to allow CDN and CLN to obtain the loans needed for the planned improvement in rail facilities yet the agreement does not create any financial obligation on the government as the risks of the logistics operation will be the responsibility of the leasing consortium and its components, notably Vale and Mitsui. CLN runs the coal terminal at the new port of Nacala-a-Velha and the 900 km railway from Moatize to Nacala-a-Velha, which runs across southern Malawi. CLN is a consortium between the Brazilian mining company Vale, the Japanese company Mitsui and Mozambique’s publicly owned port and rail company, CFM. The government has also authorized the sale of all the shares held by CFM in CDN, CLN and in Central East African Railways [CEAR], which runs the Malawian rail network.
[AIM 08/06/16]
16
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
RAIL Rwanda
Rwanda Abandons Kenya SGR Rail Route Rwanda has announced that it has abandoned the Standard Gauge Rail [SGR] route through Kenya and has picked the route to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as it is cheaper and shorter than the route transiting Kenya. Studies done by EAC showed that the Tanzanian option would cost Rwanda about US$800-900 million while the Kenyan option would cost US$1 billion. Rwanda and Tanzania have already held a joint technical monitoring committee meeting to fast-track the project implementation.
“We are conducting a joint development of the SGR with our counterparts from Burundi and Tanzania. We have agreed contract terms and conditions and the Rwanda Transport Development Agency [RTDA], will procure it on behalf of the 3 countries.” This is a complete turnaround as back in 2013, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda agreed to link up to the Kenyan port of Mombasa along a US$13 billion SGR. Kenya’s Reaction Rwanda’s last-minute pullout from the Kenyan SGR came as a surprise to Kenya which has built almost 80% of the first phase running from Mombasa to Nairobi. Nairobi sees Rwanda’s last-minute withdrawal as a retreat from the initial agreement between the 3-countries on the Northern Corridor signed in 2013. Kenya is now mulling terminating its SGR in Naivasha or Kisumu after Rwanda pulled out of the flagship infrastructure project on the Northern Corridor and acknowledging that extension of the line to Malaba may no longer be necessary if landlocked states opt out.
“The decision has not been reached but we have a number of options at our disposal. We can decide to end the SGR at Naivasha or Kisumu but it will still be a viable venture due to the presence of Lake Victoria” James Macharia, Kenyan Transport Cabinet Secretary Meanwhile the Kenyan government has already signed a commercial contract for phase 2C which will run through Kisumu-Yala-Mumias to Malaba. China Roads and Bridges Company [CRBC] is scheduled to build a modern Ksh14 billion port at Kisumu which will be useful in connecting the rest of EAC states through Lake Victoria giving Kenya an edge in the maritime business in the region. Dar es Salaam-Isaka-Kigali/Keza-Musongati [DIKKM] SGR The Dar es Salaam-Isaka-Kigali/Keza-Musongati [DIKKM] SGR is expected to be completed by March 2018 and is estimated to cost three countries US$5.2 billion. The route via Tanzania will link Kigali to a port in Tanzania’s commercial capital, Dar es Salaam. A new railway is being built from Isaka in northwestern Tanzania to Kigali, with a branch to Musongati in neighbouring Burundi. The existing railway from Dar es Salaam to Isaka is being upgraded.
[East African 18/05/16]
17
Tanzania/Zambia China To Take Over TAZARA In New Plan China is to take over the management and operations of Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority [TAZARA], in a major plan that will herald privitisation of the struggling corporation. A technical team from Tanzania, Zambia and China is putting together details of the plan whose proposals include reducing the TAZARA workforce. Tanzania and Zambia would also be required to review their domestic laws to provide for preferential provisions in the running of TAZARA, with a view to attracting more private players. Reportedly a consensus has been reached among the 3-parties to handover TAZARA to China Railway as early as September this year when a technical agreement should be ready for signing. The privitisation plan was discussed at a 4-day tripartite meeting 9-12th May, held in Dar es Salaam to draw the points of consensus and set in motion the final technical agreement. The teams reviewed findings of a technical study of Tazara by the China-based Third Railway Survey and Design Institute [TSDI]. 11 consensus points were then drafted which pointed to a clear agreement to a Chinese injection of technical and financial resources. The Chinese are not only interested in injecting funds [US$376 million] but are keen to play a much bigger role - providing strategic management and superior technical operations to make TAZARA a commercial flagship project in the East and Southern Africa economic blocs.
Tanzania and Zambia have consented to the following turn-around strategy: -- The Chinese establishment of a new management and operation system -- Introduction of a commercial operation to realise the revitalisation and sustainable development of TAZARA -- Clear all TAZARA’s outstanding debts that include statutory deductions and suppliers’ arrears -- Ensure TAZARA is provided with policies & legal instruments to make it commercially viable & attract more private players. -- Increase volumes of bulk goods and cargo transported through TAZARA -- For Zambia to connect the line to its local railway network. The next crucial meeting of the parties will take place in China in June with China handing over the lead negotiation role to China Railway while Tanzania and Zambia will be represented by the relevant ministries. The project will see China extending the line to 4-other countries Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC], Rwanda and Burundi. As well as renovating the 1,860 km track and linking TAZARA to Tanzania’s new Bagamoyo port. It is the only railway line in Africa that links 3-economic blocs, including the East African Community, COMESA and SADC, that serves more than 600 million people or half of the continent. Cargo volumes transported on the line has been dropping over the years despite increased throughput cargo at the Dar es Salaam port. Throughput at Dar port increased from 6-million MT in 2006 to 15 million MT in 2015 yet the share of TAZARA has decreased from 601,229 MT to just 87,860 MT in the same period. 18
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
RAIL Uganda
China Exim Sets Terms For Financing SGR China’s Export Import Bank has set new loan preconditions for the Malaba-Kampala section of the Standard Gauge Railway [SGR]. Reportedly a key demand by the Chinese is that Uganda secure guarantees from Kenya that it is still interested in and will source financing for the Naivasha-Malaba section of the SGR. It also wants guarantees on compensation for those people affected by the project and a new feasibility and bankability study showing that construction of the SGR makes business sense. China wants these elements guaranteed before a US$2 billion loan is provided, and that once the project is completed, it will generate enough money to repay the loan. The Ugandan government attributes the potential delay to China’s desire to take on a bigger portion of the financing responsibility in the wake of the agreement that the lender will run operations for 10 years in order to recoup its investment. Beijing is also doubtful of Uganda’s ability to meet its repayment obligations. The new expected date of completion of the Malaba-Kampala section is now 2020. The target set by the Presidents of Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda was for the first train to be flagged off from Mombasa to Kigali in March 2018. In the 2016/17 financial year US$32.1 million has been allocated for compensation. This means that the process of compensation could be completed in the 2017/18 financial year. Some experts say the SGR could become a white elephant and will add little value to the Northern Corridor as low levels of exports are coming out of the region. The region is building an SGR to ease importation of goods yet imports don’t create jobs and Uganda may have difficulty in generating revenue to pay back the infrastructural loans. Uganda has a 40% debt-to-GDP which means Kampala’s debt is sustainable since it is below the 50% threshold set by the East African Community Monetary Union committee. But with a fiscal balance of over 6.4% and a tax to GDP ratio of less than 13%, Uganda is missing the other monetary union targets that would show the country’s capacity to pay back loans.
[The Exchange 01/06/16]
Zimbabwe NRZ Mulls Forensic Audit The National Railways of Zimbabwe [NRZ] is set to launch a forensic audit as the parastatal seeks solutions to industrial actions that have left the rail freighter in dire straits and struggling to remain afloat. NRZ chairman, Larry Mavima appointed in March, has been under pressure to turnaround the fortunes of NRZ. The audit is expected to cover the past 5-years, from 2011-16. It will, among other things, look into NRZ’s procurement system, revenue collection mechanisms at its properties and estates and the current staff levels with an aim of weeding out ghost workers. A forensic audit is an examination and evaluation of either a firm’s or individual’s financial information for use as evidence in court. A forensic audit can be conducted in order to prosecute a party for fraud, embezzlement or other financial claims. A report of the NRZ accounts department, done in 2014 by the auditor-general, established that the parastatal was generating annual revenue of US$91.2 million, but incurring costs of US$103 million. The passenger unit had annual revenues of US$3.2 million, with costs at over three times at US$10.9 million. The NRZ has a US$70 million debt in salary arrears and other debts to the tune of US$144 million. Meanwhile NRZ has appointed Engineer Lewis Mukwada as the substantive general manager.
[Financial Gazette 09/06/16 & Herald 21/05/16]
19
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
OSBP & ICD TERMINALS Angola/Zimbabwe Jimbe Dry Port On Course Plans to build an inland dry port between Zambia and Angola at Jimbe boarder post in Ikeleng’i District in North western province are gaining momentum. A joint working group comprising Zambian and Angolan officials has visited Jimbe to conduct a ground study for the establishment of the dry port. The facility will connect Zambia to the Lobito development corridor in Angola and enhance trade linkages between the 2-countries. The project will also put into action bilateral trade agreements signed between the two Countries in August 2015.
[ZNBC 28/05/16]
South Africa Transnet Invites Bids To Build/Operate New Gauteng Inland Port Stated-owned freight logistics utility Transnet has issued a Request for Proposals [RFP] inviting private logistics companies to design, build, operate, maintain and eventually hand over an inland container terminal, earmarked for Tambo-Springs, in eastern Gauteng. The 20-year concession would be Transnet’s biggest private sector participation project to date and would be located in Ekurhuleni along the N3 motorway and near to the Johannesburgto-Durban rail corridor. The deadline for submissions is September 30th. Transnet expects to award the contract in Q4 of the company’s financial year ending March 31, 2017. The terminal is expected to be in operation by 2019 and will have an initial capacity of 144,000 TEUs a year, with an option to increase its capacity to 560,000 TEUs. Transnet’s recently upgraded City Deep inland port, in Gauteng, has a yearly container handling capacity of 400,000 TEUs. The utility operates 4-other terminals in Gauteng and the new terminal has been designed to complement the existing container-handling capacity in the province. In fact, the Tambo-Springs terminal is one of three mega terminals being planned for South Africa’s smallest, yet wealthiest province over the coming 20 years. While no capital estimate has been provided, South Africa’s National Infrastructure Plan indicates that the project [designated as a Strategic Integrated Project 2 development] could involve an investment of around R6.5-billion. The project would include the development of terminal infrastructure, including an arrival and departure yard for cargo trains, and the installation of terminal equipment. It will include a stacking area, warehousing space, a distribution centre and inland Reefer facilities. Transnet Freight Rail [TFR] would still be responsible for the operation of the arrival-and-departure yard, but the operator would be responsible for loading and offloading of containers and marketing of the facility. Transnet is spending up to US$25 billion over the next 10 years on expanding and revamping its railways, pipelines and ports in South Africa.
[Engineering News 01/06/16]
Zambia Kazungula Bridge One Stop Border Post [OSBP] Chinese company Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group Co. Ltd [AFECC] are to construct a One Stop Border Post [OSBP] facility in Zambia at Kazungula Bridge. Work is expected to start June 2016 over 910 days. The work consists of 10 main buildings covering 5,000m2, circulation road of 800m, parking area and the main bridge approach road of 2,389 m. The project is overseen by the Zambia Road Development Agency.
[AfDB 01/06/16]
20
WESTERN AFRICA
CORRIDOR NEWS Regional ECOWAS Trade Facilitation Workshop A workshop on trade facilitation of the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] was held in Accra, Ghana. The event, held under the ‘Improved and Facilitated Trade in West Africa Project’ and under the auspices of ECOWAS and the World Bank Group, aimed at unlocking the transit challenges across key trade corridors in West Africa. The event brought together stakeholders along the trade corridors to share best practices in implementing reforms that facilitate trade. Main themes included: enhancing the flow of transit trade by managing trade corridors, efficient ports and effective border crossings; customs information exchange mechanisms between neighbouring countries; increasing transparency of trade procedures; and promoting collaboration between national border agencies. The intended outcome was to discuss and agree on a reform action plan to improve trade facilitation along the main corridors. Over 40 participants, including representatives from the ECOWAS and the West Africa Economic Monetary Union [WAEMU] Commissions, the European Union, the World Bank Group, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors along the three main trade corridors in Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Ghana, attended.
[Joy 09/06/16]
Improved & Facilitated Trade In West Africa Project -- A 4-year initiative that was launched in November 2014 -- The €3.5 million project seeks to support ECOWAS to improve trade in the West African region and, specifically, transit trade along the region’s major trade corridors -- Focuses on reducing the time and cost to trade -- Increasing border agency cooperation and coordination -- Encourages a better flow of goods within the region, and with international trading partners
Burkina Faso Borderless Anti-Corruption Road Campaign Underway The Borderless Alliance has successfully installed 6-billboards in April in Ghana along the Tema-Ouagadougou trade route to Burkina Faso, as part of its campaign to abolish road harassment along the corridor. The billboards, funded by the Trade Hub, send the message [in French and English] that truckers need to comply with road regulations, and gives them contact numbers to report bribery attempts and related delays. Borderless will survey drivers along the corridor about the usefulness of the billboard information. The organization will continue holding working group meetings with other stakeholders, including the Ghana Police, and will install 6-more billboards with the support of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority [GPHA].
[WA Trade Hub 01/05/16]
21
Cameroon Increase In Transit Of Central African & Chadian Goods Despite Insecurity According to Douala Autonomous Port [PAD] the volume of Central African and Chadian goods transiting through Douala Port during 2015 went over the 1-million ton mark. However volumes have decreased since 2013, due in part to the insecurity in Northern Cameroon, the region bordering Chad and Nigeria, and in the Eastern region, which shares a long border with CAR.
[Business in Cameroon 26/05/16]
Senegal/Gambia Senegal Re-Opens Border After months of negotiating the Senegal-Gambia border has now re-opened. Three months ago, the border was closed when Senegalese drivers decided to boycott passing through The Gambia following President Jammeh’s unilateral decision to increase the tariffs from CFA 4000 to CFA 40,000 francs. The Senegalese drivers decided to detour through Tambacounda to reach the Senegalese southern region of Cassamance. Several attempts were made over the past months to negotiate. Finally on May 15th, both countries agreed to meeting in Dakar, Senegal. After hours of discussion the Senegalese delegation led by Foreign Minister Mankeur Ndiaye laid several points that it said must be agreed upon by The Gambia before any negotiation and/or reopening its side of the border takes place. Several points were outlaid but key among them was the building of a bridge at Farrefenni [Bambatendea-Yellitenda] ferry crossing. The reopening of the border follows an undertaking made by the Gambian President to commence the construction of the bridge. Senegal is now convinced that Jammeh will this time around honor his part of the bargain by constructing long awaited bridge. Gambian Foreign Affairs Minister Neneh Macdouall-Gaye and his Senegalese Mankeur Ndiaye endorsed a communique reiterating both countries’ resolve to reach a framework agreement.
[Allafrica 05/06/16]
Senegal/Guinea Bissau Border Talks To Promote Trade As part of the 2nd Edition of ECOWAS Week in Ziguinchor, the regional capital of Casamance, delegates from the 3-ECOWAS member states of Senegal, Guinea Bissau and The Gambia visited the Bissau–Senegal border. A delegation, led by Centre Africain Pour Le Commerce, l’Integration et le Developpement [ENDA-CACID], noted all barriers should be removed to ensure free movement of people and goods within the 3-countries and the sub-region.
[All Africa 02/06/16]
RESOURCES For more information about ENDA-CACID visit their website at http://endacacid.org/latest/ 22
WESTERN AFRICA
ROAD DRC
Batshamba-Tshikapa Road Development Project The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC] has received funding from the African Development Fund [ADF] to cover the cost of the Batshamba Tshikapa road Lovua Tshikapa bridge section. The Ministry of Infrastructure has invited Consultants for monitoring & evaluation services.
[AfDB 01/06/16]
Liberia MPW, USAID Launch Feeder Road Program The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Public Works [MPW], and the U. S. Agency for International Development [USAID] have launched a 450km 4-year Feeder Roads Alternative and Maintenance Program [FRAMP] to improve roads in the country. The program will be implemented in 4-counties - Bong, Grand Bassa, Lofa and Nimba. FRAMP is a critical step in linking farmers to markets to spark market-driven growth.
[LINA 02/06/16]
23
Nigeria Dangote Group Commissions Longest Concrete Road In Country AG-Dangote Construction Limited, in a Joint Venture [JV] between Andrade Gutierrez (AG) of Brazil and Dangote Group Nigeria, has recently commissioned the longest stretch of concrete road, in the country. The 24km road links Obajana and Kabba in Kogi State. Other roads will be constructed in Kaduna, Bauchi, Lagos and Kogi States.
[Construction Review 06/06/16]
Kwara State To Construct Diamond Split Underpass Kwara State has approved plans to construct a 3-phase Diamond Split Underpass at the Geri Alimi roundabout in Ilorin the state capital. Phase I of the project is expected to cost US$14.5 million with works expected to be completed within 18 months. The council has also approved the dualisation of other federal roads such as the Ita Alamu-Michael Imoudu-Ganmo-Afon junction road and the Kulende-Oyun-Kwara State Polytechnic-Oke-Ose-UITH road.
[Construction Review 06/06/16]
24
WESTERN AFRICA
ROAD
Nigeria
Lagos State Sign MoU To Construct 4th Mainland Bridge The Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] for the construction of a 38km 4th mainland bridge in Nigeria. Construction of the project will solely be funded by the private sector by a Public Private Partnership [PPP] initiative under a build, operate and transfer [BOT] concession at a cost of N844 billion. Investors are expected to commence and complete the construction of the bridge between 2016 and 2021, and then manage and operate it from 2021 to 2061. At the end of the 40-year concession, the project would be handed over to the Lagos State Government. The consortium consists of Visible Assets Limited, Africa Finance Corporation [AFC], Access Bank, Hi-tech Construction, JP Morgan, Eldorado Nigeria Limited and Julius Berger Plc.
25
The bridge is expected to serve as an alternative route to the Eastern axis and at the same time decongesting heavy traffic in the State and compliment the rapidly growing industrial activities on the Eti-Osa – Lekki – Epe corridor. The Bridge will be made up of a 4-lane dual carriageway with 8-interchanges to enhance interconnectivity cross the State area. The proposed Bridge will pass through Lekki, Langbasa and Baiyeiku towns along the shoreline of the Lagos Lagoon estuaries. The bridge will run through the Igbogbo River Basin, passing through the Lagos Lagoon estuaries to Itamaga Area in Ikorodu. The alignment will also cross through the Itoikin road and the Ikorodu – Sagamu Road connecting the Isawo inward Lagos Ibadan Expressway at Ojodu Berger axis. The bridge will be constructed with generous width to allow future carriageway expansion and a light rail facility.
[Construction Review 30/05/16]
Nigeria/Cameroon Ekok-Mfum Bridge Project The Federal Government of Nigeria and the Cameroon Government have received financing from the African Development Bank [AfDB] towards the cost of Bamenda-Enugu Transport Facilitation Program. It is intended that part of the proceeds of this loan will be applied for construction of a 2-lane bridge over the cross river at the Cameroon-Nigeria Border [Ekok-Mfum], including approach roads. Sealed bids from eligible bidders have been invited for the execution of the works by July 18th.
[AfDB 24/05/16]
Togo Togo To Receive Financing From Saudi Fund For Road Infrastructures Togo and the Saudi Fund for development have reached a US$17 million financing agreement to sustain the construction of road infrastructures in the country. The Togolese State Minister in charge of economy and finance, Adji Oteth Ayassor, signed the documentation. The financing will support 3-important road projects ensuring inland economic development: refurbishment of the National Road 17 Sokode-Bassar connecting Central, Kara and Savanes regions, the Monts Malfakassa bypass road and the construction of Binaparba feeder road. In total the state needs US$66 million to carry out the whole project and expects to conclude soon a financing agreement of US$10 million with the Abu-Dhabi Fund for Development.
[Xinhua 26/05/16]
26
WESTERN AFRICA
RAIL
Regional West Africa Railway Link: Bollore Challenged by Geftarail Niger has signed an agreement with Geftarail stating the company still holds the rights to build West Africa’s biggest railway network at a cost of US$11 billion as French company Bollore constructs a rival line to link five nations in the region. Mohamed Moussa, signed the accord as permanent secretary for public-private partnerships [PPP] at the office of Niger’s Prime Minister. According to Paris-based Geftarail Chairman, Michel Bosio, the agreement fully recognizes the 1999 deal to build the railway link and recognizes international law and of an agreement signed collectively by 4-African states. Geftarail has yet to find funding for its project 16 years after it obtained concession rights to build a regional railway but aims to attract Chinese construction companies. The two French companies are intent on building a railway network that will facilitate trade and boost growth in a region where seaports to ship commodities have typically been a priority. Their plans coincide with ambitious multibillion-dollar railway projects in East Africa that are designed to connect landlocked countries like Rwanda to the coast and provide an alternative to clogged highways. In November, Geftarail filed a petition at the International Court of Arbitration in Paris demanding work on Bollore’s railway project in Niger and Benin be halted because it constituted a violation of Geftarail’s concession rights. Under this recent agreement, Geftarail says it will drop the arbitration request, while Niger will ask Benin to approve the Geftarail accord.
27
Bollore Africa Logistics in August signed a concession agreement to build and rehabilitate a 1,065km railway connecting Niger and Benin, part of a planned project to build a railway link between 5-countries in the region. Bollore’s Ivory Coast unit Sitarail is upgrading an existing 1,260km line to Burkina Faso. Bollore Group holds concessions to operate container terminals in at least 9-nations including Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Ghana. The company also runs dry ports in landlocked nations such as Burkina Faso and Chad.
[Bloomberg 29/05/16]
Gabon EXIM Bank Finances Locomotives For SETRAG EXIM Bank [Export-Import Bank of the United States] has financed the sale of Railserve’s LEAF® locomotives to Gabonese rail operator Societe d’Exploitation du Transgabonais [SETRAG]. The Bank has guaranteed a US$10 million loan extended by American Trade & Finance Company [Atrafin] to facilitate the export.
[Railway Age 06/06/16]
Nigeria Ministry Test-Runs Abuja-Kaduna Rail For July Launch The Ministry of Transportation has begun the test-run of the Abuja-Kaduna Standard Gauge Rail [SGR] ahead of its official commissioning. The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, who flagged-off the test run with a train ride from the Idu main station to Kubwa, noted by the first week of July, President Muhammadu Buhari would commission the facility.
[Daily Trust 02/06/16]
Government Mulls Privatisation of Lagos-Kano Rail Line According to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, the Federal Government is to look for private investment in the rail sector beginning with the Lagos-Kano rail line. The minister noted that the transport infrastructure needs US$50.9 billion in 5-years to cover the current gap in the sector, an average of US$10.2 billion per year.
[Daily Trust 24/05/16]
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