Mintesinot Nigussie Asfaw
The Ministry of Transport and Logistics has announced that the Ethio-Djibouti Railway has steadily increased its transportation capacity, with plans to handle 50% of Ethiopia’s export cargo in the near future. The railway has consistently boosted its cargo capacity by 14.2% annually, solidifying its critical role in Ethiopia’s trade infrastructure.
Currently, the railway plays a pivotal part in the export of Ethiopian coffee, transporting 98% of the country’s coffee exports. It also handles a diverse range of goods, from fertilizers and livestock to heavy machinery, buses, and new trucks, showcasing its capacity to manage both multimodal and unimodal container loads.
In addition, the railway is instrumental in transporting perishable goods in containerized form, maintaining quality, and ensuring that products reach foreign markets in optimal condition—vital for safeguarding Ethiopia’s expected income from foreign trade.
Looking ahead, the Ethio-Djibouti Railway Corporation has set ambitious targets. It aims to cover 50% of Ethiopia’s freight transport needs, increase train frequency to 14 trains per day, and enhance the speed of freight trains to 58 km/h. Furthermore, the corporation is moving toward a fully digitalized rail service, focusing on improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Recent strides include obtaining multimodal operating and freight forwarding licenses, expanding its service offerings, and positioning itself as a key player in Ethiopia’s freight and logistics sector. The railway’s growth reflects not only its expanding capabilities but also Ethiopia’s ongoing efforts to improve trade efficiency and strengthen its position in the global market.
