The Ethiopian Railway Corporation Says the Ethio-Djibouti Railway Project Is Making Good Progress

The Chief Officer of the Ethio-Djibouti Railway, Yehualashet Jemere, briefed the 6th Ethio-Djibouti Joint Commission Meeting that opened on Wednesday (October 7) on the progress of the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway project.

He said over 50% of the Sebeta-Dewele stretch of the line, part of the project connecting Ethiopia with Djibouti, is complete, and that construction of the Sebeta-Mieso section of the line (317 kms) and the Mieso-Dewele section (339 kms), including the bridges, and some sections of the civil works were well in progress.

Overall, about two-thirds of the project was finalized during the past two years and the rest of the work should be completed within the next 18 months. His Djiboutian counterpart, Mohammed Khaire, said 50% of the project had been finalized on the Djibouti side of the border. Ethiopian Transport Minister, Werkineh Gebeyehu, said the Project was progressing as per the schedule, and emphasized that the railway would add value to the nation's economy by reducing transportation cost and attracting investors.

It would also enable Ethiopia to be more competitive in international markets by curbing logistical costs. The Minister said with speeds of up to 120 kms an hour it would reduce travel time from Ethiopia to Djibouti by half. The railway, which will be standard gauge and electric, will have 17 major stations.

The section from Sebeta to Adama will be double track with the remaining 549 kms being single track. Djibouti's Minister of Equipment and Transport, Moussa Ahmed Hassan, said the project was being implemented effectively and was progressing well on both sides of the border.