China has proved its commitment to Africa over the years when it comes to infrastructure across the continent. In East Africa, the Standard Gauge Railway project is one of the most ambitious – aiming to eventually link up the entire region. And in China – another kind of rail revolution is underway. Jane Kiyo reports.
It's been nearly a year since the Standard Gauge Railways started operating in Kenya – linking Mombasa with the capital city Nairobi. Almost a million people have used the train. Both the port and railway form part of China's Belt and Road Initiative – that aims to connect much of the world. The Chinese-built railway is Kenya's largest ever infrastructure project. It's reduced the travelling time between the two cities – from 12 hours – to just four.
UHURU KENYATTA KENYAN PRESIDENT "I feel grand, its wonderful – a new experience and one that will be available for all Kenya."
JANE KIYO SGR, KENYA "For Kenya though the SGR Doesn't end here - The construction of the second phase is under way. And For the entire region.That's just the beginning."
The SGR will eventually link up to the entire region – making it easier for landlocked countries to get their goods out to Mombasa. Uganda is already at an advanced stage to build the track. Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Sudan are all set to benefit. Back on the train for passengers, cutting both time and cost has been well worth it.
"You get to see wildlife – it's excellent." "It's a new thing in Kenya. It's great. We don't have traffic." "It's my first time on the train and so far I'm impressed. " "I'm enjoying the fares are low. The time previously used between 8 to 10 hours, but now 4 hours you are in Mombasa."
JANE KIYO ABOARD FUXING BULLET TRAIN, CHINA "Half the world away – and traveling almost three times faster – we're in China, which helped fund the SGR. Here technology has taken a quantum leap on the Beijing-Shanghai high speed railway. From Nairobi to Mombasa, it takes a leisurely 4 and a half hours to cover 480 kilometres. On this train, we'll cover 14-hundred kilometres in roughly the same time."
The Fuxing – Chinese for rejuvenation - travels at 350 kilometres per hour, making it the fastest train in the world Launched just last year, it's the first bullet train entirely designed and built by Chinese engineers .The train has all the elements of sophistication – free WIFI; an advanced onboard monitoring system. It can also run at slower speeds in case of an emergency or abnormal conditions. The Fuxing has heralded in a new era for high speed rail travel, and is expected to boost the Chinese economy.Wang Chuanlin was involved in the construction of the Yaji railways - Africa's first electrified railway connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti which was launched in 2016. The railways were constructed entirely by Chinese expertise. The route cut travel times from Ethiopia's capital Addis Abba to Djibouti to just 12 hours down from 3 days.
WANG CHUANLIN, GENERAL MANAGER CHINA TIESIJU CIVIL ENGINEERING "After the opening of the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway and the Yaji Railway, traffic conditions in the area have been greatly improved, making it more convenient for people to travel. It has boosted local economic development, enhanced local employment, and in particular, the skill levels of African personnel has improved."
China has up to 22-thousand kilometers of rail track – that's 60 percent of the world's total. And the government wants to do more, by building more high speed railways, not just in China but all over the world.
WANG CHUANLIN, GENERAL MANAGER CHINA TIESIJU CIVIL ENGINEERING "With the gradual development and improvement of China's high-speed railway network, the introduction of these railways will become more and more prevalent in other countries. Because the high speed rail has shortened the length of traveling time, changed the way people travel, and helped develop the economic region."
For China though – it's not just about speeding rail technology into the future, but also about rejuvenating Africa. JK, CGTN.