Railway Infrastructure Development and Regional Economic Integration in Africa: Progress, Challenges and Future Prospects
Abstract:
Regional economic integration remains a critical priority for Africa as the continent seeks to expand intra-African trade, strengthen regional value chains, and achieve sustainable economic development. Despite significant progress in policy initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), inadequate transport infrastructure continues to restrict economic cooperation and market integration. Among transport modes, railway infrastructure offers considerable potential to reduce trade costs, improve connectivity, and facilitate the movement of goods and people across borders. This review explores the evolution of railway infrastructure development in Africa and its contribution to regional economic integration. Inferring on evidence from historical analyses, empirical studies, policy reports, and corridor-based case studies, the review explores the transformation of African railways from colonial-era extraction networks to contemporary infrastructure investments aimed at supporting regional development. Findings indicate that railway connectivity contributes positively to trade expansion, foreign direct investment attraction, market access, and cross-border economic cooperation. Major railway corridors, including the Lobito, Maputo, and emerging transcontinental corridors, demonstrate the capacity of rail infrastructure to stimulate regional integration through improved logistics efficiency and value chain development. However, the realization of these benefits remains constrained by infrastructure deficits, inadequate financing, fragmented technical standards, governance challenges, and limited technology adoption. The review concludes that railway infrastructure development is an essential enabler of Africa’s integration agenda and that coordinated regional planning, infrastructure modernization, policy harmonization, and sustained investment are necessary to maximize its economic and developmental impacts. Strengthening railway networks will be critical to unlocking the full potential of AfCFTA and fostering a more interconnected and competitive African economy.References:
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