African Development Bank And Germany Strengthen Partnership For Sustainable Railway And Transport Infrastructure Across Africa

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is strengthening its partnership with Germany to support the development of modern, sustainable, and integrated transport infrastructure across Africa. During a mission to Germany in the final quarter of 2025, an AfDB delegation led by Mike Salawou held discussions with several German government institutions and transport sector organisations focused on railway infrastructure, urban mobility, and digital connectivity.

One of the key engagements during the visit was with DB Engineering & Consulting (DB E&C), the engineering and consulting division of Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway operator. Discussions focused on how technical training, skills development, and STEM-based education can support African countries as they modernise and expand their railway systems.

As part of the visit, the delegation toured the DB Railway Academy in Potsdam, one of the world’s leading railway training institutions, which has offered more than 2,500 training programmes and trained approximately 250,000 participants annually since 1995.A major outcome of the discussions was the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) between the African Development Bank Group and DB E&C.

The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation on a feasibility study for the creation of an African Rail Competence Centre. The proposed centre is expected to become a continental hub for railway knowledge, innovation, research, and technical training, supporting the long-term development and modernisation of rail infrastructure across Africa.

Both organisations agreed to evaluate different institutional models for the proposed centre, including decentralised, cooperative, and centralised structures, to determine the most effective framework for the continent’s railway sector needs.Commenting on the partnership, Mike Salawou stated that the collaboration marks an important step for the future of Africa’s railway industry.

He noted that by leveraging Deutsche Bahn’s expertise and operational experience, the initiative aims to strengthen local technical capabilities, improve workforce skills, and support the development of sustainable and efficient railway systems throughout Africa.

According to him, strategic international partnerships are essential for launching a continent-wide skills transformation and building resilient infrastructure systems.The delegation also observed how Germany’s multimodal transport systems integrate rail, tram, bus, and cycling networks to create dense, accessible, and walkable urban environments.

AfDB representatives highlighted that the German model demonstrates how coordinated urban planning and reliable rail systems can reduce dependence on private vehicles while encouraging economic activity, mixed-use development, and environmentally sustainable mobility solutions.

Salawou further noted that African cities could apply similar transit-oriented development principles as they expand railway infrastructure, helping promote compact urban growth, improved accessibility, and climate-resilient city planning.Following the agreement with DB E&C, the delegation continued discussions with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), which confirmed its support for railway sector capacity-building initiatives through its implementing agency, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The AfDB delegation also met with several other German institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), and KfW IPEX-Bank. Discussions focused on broader infrastructure priorities such as regional economic corridor development, critical minerals and electric vehicle supply chains, and support programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in infrastructure projects.

Talks with KfW IPEX-Bank explored opportunities for greater cooperation and co-investment in major infrastructure developments across Africa. The discussions covered several strategic projects, including the Lobito Corridor, the Abidjan–Lagos Corridor Highway, the Uganda–Kenya Standard Gauge Railway, and Ethiopia’s Bishoftu International Airport.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to supporting high-quality and sustainable infrastructure projects that can strengthen regional connectivity, encourage economic integration, and contribute to long-term development across the continent.As part of the visit, the delegation also toured the EUREF Campus in Berlin, where they examined innovative approaches to urban development, clean energy systems, and smart mobility solutions.

The visit aligned with the mission’s broader objective of promoting future-ready and environmentally sustainable transport systems in Africa.Stefan Geisperger stated that sustainable railway systems must be developed alongside strong local expertise and workforce training. He noted that DB Engineering & Consulting is prepared to work with the African Development Bank on long-term training programmes aimed at equipping local professionals with the technical skills required to design, operate, and maintain modern rail infrastructure.

According to him, the partnership seeks to create lasting impact by supporting Africa’s expanding railway sector while also contributing to Germany’s broader commitment to resilient and connected mobility solutions.The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development also reaffirmed its long-standing support for Africa’s economic and social development goals.

Daphne Gross-Jansen stated that cooperation between AfDB and Deutsche Bahn on railway training and capacity-building initiatives can help create employment opportunities, encourage private sector investment in transport and energy sectors, and contribute to the Bank’s objective of developing a fully electrified railway network across Africa.