Addis Ababa-Djibouti line: end of Chinese operating services

The Ethiopia-Djibouti railway, built by China, celebrated its achievements on Friday.

After six years of commercial operation, the Chinese team officially ended its operation and maintenance services of the railway line, during a ceremony held in Addis Ababa.

China will continue cooperation with Ethiopia and Djibouti on the railway project to improve its service quality and sustainability.

“Over the past ten years, the Belt and Road Initiative has been one of the major forces driving the vigorous development of infrastructure construction and manufacturing industry in Ethiopia, and has also created a large number of employment opportunities for young Ethiopians In this regard, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway built by China has become an emblematic large-scale project of the Belt and Road Initiative. , explained Tagesse Chafo, speaker, Ethiopian Parliament.

The Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway line is now capable of providing diversified passenger and freight transport services , with an annual increase of 39% in transport revenue. A total of 2,840 Ethiopian and Djibouti personnel have been trained and certified for the railway.

“Since the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway started operating, the transport volume in Djibouti ports has increased by about 20 percent,” said Hassan Houmed, Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Djibouti. 

East Africa's first electrified railway cuts freight transport time from more than three days to less than 20 hours , and cuts cost by at least a third, helping Ethiopia gain access to maritime trade ports. Government officials from Ethiopia and Djibouti praised the railway's role in promoting regional economic prosperity.