EDR transported 15pct of Ethiopia’s foreign trade
The Ethio-Djibouti Gauge Railway (EDR) managed to transport 15pct of Ethiopia’s 16-million-ton annual import-export cargo, of which 90pct is import. Although EDR planned to cover 40pct of Ethiopia’s import-export, 15pct is a great achievement, according to Tilahun Sarka (Eng.), director general of Ethio-Djibouti railway S.C. The company is on the right track, despite the impact of covid-19 pandemic, delayed cargo trains from manufacturers and absence of last miles to connect the main train route with destinations. Due to the covid-19, EDR stopped transporting people since may 2020.
With two pairs of freight trains carrying 106 containers a day, the EDR generated USD40 million last year, 29pct up from previous year. The railway planned to operate six pairs of trains per day and generate USD150 million revenue, by 2023. EDR started operation in march 2018, reducing the 756 KM between Djibouti port and Modjo dry port to 20 hours, which used to take five days using trucks.
