African countries urged to improve railway systems

African countries must urgently address transport and rail bottlenecks by adopting new technology and harmonizing legislation to propel trade and economic growth, South African officials and experts say, calling for further partnership with China.

Barbara Creecy, South Africa's minister of transport, said African nations face challenges to improve their outdated railway systems to grow economy and increase competitiveness.

"These challenges are further complicated by the need for greater regional integration, interoperability and the harmonization of standards to ensure efficient and competitive rail services," Creecy said at the Southern African Railways Association's annual international conference in Johannesburg last week.

Railways are crucial for transporting bulk goods such as minerals, agricultural products and energy resources, she said, so rail networks within the Southern African Development Community region are vital for boosting the competitiveness of SADC products and services in the global market.

"As we look to modernize and expand our rail networks, the need for investment in appropriate skills across logistics, engineering, infrastructure development and digitization cannot be overstated. Investing in these skills today will not only help us address the challenges we face, but will also enable us to take advantage of new opportunities for economic growth and development," she said.

Crynos Mutendera, a senior research specialist of the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency in South Africa, told China Daily that Africa's colonial history has led to varying standards and plans for rail and road infrastructure, as different European powers implemented distinct systems during their colonial rule.

China has taken part in building major infrastructure projects across Africa, and projects done by Chinese companies are completed in time, Mutendera said.

Many Chinese companies offer a "one-stop shop" approach, managing all stages of a project, he said. China's involvement has prompted some former colonial powers to change their engagement strategies with Africa, he added.

Self-introspection

"The good thing about the Chinese factor is bringing to the fore everybody to do self-introspection and say, 'I think there is something I'm not doing right.' So for them to compete, they have to change the tune. The way the Chinese have come in has brought in constructive competition to help us even in public-private partnerships and coming up with innovative financing solutions."

Leslie Mlungisi Mpofu, executive director of Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat, urged Africa to improve its rail and road infrastructure and payment methods at border posts to facilitate trade.

The Trans Kalahari Corridor is an alternative trade route developed by South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. The secretariat has streamlined trade between these countries by harmonizing legislation on trade, health, customs, transport and enforcement.

Mpofu said that in the past, trucks carrying goods could take 24 to 48 hours to clear borders. Simplifications have reduced this time to just 20 to 30 minutes by standardizing border transactions.

Additionally, Mpofu urged African countries to work with China to develop innovative financial solutions to developing crucial infrastructure projects. "We know dynamics are not the same but China has come up with their strategy which seems to be working," he said.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.