Using specific examples, discuss rail transportation in African countries under the following headings (a) Reasons for construction (b) Problems (c) Solutio...

Answer Details

Rail transportation in African countries (examples: the Lagos-Kano line in Nigeria, the Kenya-Uganda railway, TAZARA between Tanzania and Zambia).

(a) Reasons for construction

1. To move bulky mineral and agricultural exports cheaply from the interior to the ports (e.g. tin and groundnuts to Lagos, copper on TAZARA to Dar es Salaam).
2. To open up and develop the interior and link inland producing areas to the coast and markets.
3. To ease the movement of people and goods over long distances at low cost per tonne-kilometre.
4. Administrative and strategic reasons: colonial powers built lines to control territory and, later, to promote national integration and trade. (Also to reduce dependence on a neighbour's ports, as with TAZARA.)

(b) Problems

1. High cost of construction and maintenance across difficult relief (highlands, rivers, forests, deserts).
2. Disconnected networks and different gauges between countries, so lines do not link up and through-traffic is difficult.
3. Old, worn-out equipment and poor management, giving frequent breakdowns, derailments and slow, unreliable services.
4. Shortage of capital and competition from road transport, plus concentration of lines only on export routes leaving many areas unserved.

(c) Solutions

1. Provide more capital investment (government and foreign partners) to rehabilitate and extend the lines.
2. Standardise the gauge and link national networks so trains can run across borders (regional rail integration).
3. Modernise the system: replace old track, locomotives and coaches, and improve management, maintenance and staff training.
4. Extend lines into unserved productive areas and improve coordination with road and water transport. (Also privatisation/concession to improve efficiency.)