According to Transmashholding (TMH), the top producer of railway rolling stock in Russia, for Africa to experience rapid development, the continent urgently needs a modern rail network.
The absence of railway infrastructure in some important African towns has hampered the development of the continent’s transportation industry, TMH’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kiril Lipa, told reporters in Moscow, Russia.
Lipa stressed the necessity for African nations to spend more in railways while emphasising the company’s commitment to increase the region’s international footprint.
TMH is a well-known builder of passenger trains, locomotives, metro cars, trams, coaches, waggons, snow-clearing equipment, and locomotive engines, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The company provides comprehensive maintenance and repair of rolling stock, as well as the production of parts and components for the rail industry, to railway operators in more than 30 countries.
Due to the bulky nature of the majority of its products, such as minerals, oil, and gas, Lipa believes that Africa has enormous potential for the rail business.
In this respect, TMH is designed to meet the requirements of the majority of African countries, whose primary focus is the export market with connectivity to seaports via rail and pipelines.
“Imports are also delivered by train courier to their final locations after passing via seaports.
“The population of Africa is expanding quickly, and urbanisation is accelerating significantly. We are investigating the possibility of transferring minerals, oil, and gas.
Therefore, the necessity for cargo trains exists. We can use our technologies to help most African nations build out their rail networks.
We are able to deliver this technology, he claimed.
Furthermore, according to the CEO of Transmashholding, Africa is strategically important for both Russia and the major international financial and industrial institutions.
To realise the ambition, he added, fundamental trends must be met.
“There are some really basic trends that we find in Africa that are basic for the rest of the world.
We are aware of how quickly the population is expanding, how rapidly cities are increasing, and how quickly resources are being developed.
In terms of distance from seaports, these resources are developed far away.
Since the railway, as opposed to pipelines, is the most efficient means of transporting mineral resources to the harbour, Lipa added, “these trends make the market very attractive in terms of rolling stock.”
According to him, having a widespread railway network would make it simple to carry resources across the continent.
The development of Africa is desperately needed. All types of rolling stock are required across the continent.
“For this reason, I think the continent will flourish; the population has a great need for all types of rolling equipment on the railway network.
In terms of technology, Lipa added, “And my opinion is that Russia is quite capable of providing some critical components.” (NAN)
