Railways Africa Magazine

In this interview, filmed during the recently held TransMEA 2025 in Cairo, our editor, Phillippa Dean, speaks with Alstom’s Vice President for Digital and Integrated Systems for Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, Boris Symchowicz, about the signalling system that powers the monorail. He explains how the system enables high passenger capacity, short headways and future scalability to eight-car trains. He also discusses the shift toward next-generation communication technologies such as FRMCS, the increasing need for real-time data and Alstom’s regional engineering development across Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Tanzania and Central Asia. Enjoy!

Railways Africa Editor Phillippa Dean catches up with Martin Vaujour, Alstom’s President for Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, at TransMEA 2025 in Cairo. Martin outlines the strong pipeline of activity across the region, including developments in South Africa with PRASA and Transnet, the impact of open access in the freight sector, new very high-speed and signalling projects in Morocco, and ongoing progress on the Abidjan Metro in Côte d’Ivoire.In Egypt, the Cairo Monorail remains a flagship programme, with the first passenger section scheduled to open in 2026. The country is also moving ahead with new signalling and turnkey initiatives. Martin also discusses the renewal of Cairo Metro Line 1, where Alstom will supply 55 modern trainsets to replace the original fleet built in the 1980s. The first 11 units are set to enter commercial service next year.The interview explores regional mobility challenges, the growing demand for urban systems such as metro, tram and monorail, and the potential for mainline and high-speed rail across several African countries. Martin also highlights Alstom’s localisation programmes, including manufacturing, component production, maintenance, skills development and signalling competence in markets such as South Africa, Morocco and Egypt.#Alstom #AMECA #TransMEA2025 #RailwaysAfrica #CairoMonorail #CairoMetro #PRASA #Transnet #Morocco #Rail #Railway #AbidjanMetro #AfricanRail #UrbanMobility #Africa #UrbanMobility #SustainableTransport #RailInfrastructure #HighSpeedRail #Signalling----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------============================================================RAILWAYS AFRICA MAGAZINESubscribe: https://www.railways.africa/subscriptions/Website: https://www.railways.africaLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/railways-africa/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/railwaysafricaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/railwaysafricaTwitter: https://twitter.com/railwaysafricaEmail - Editor: [email protected]============================================================-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It is not every day that forty-six Cape-gauge locomotives in great condition become available at the same time. For Traxtion, this was an opportunity that could not be passed up.In this Coffee with the Editor, Railways Africa Editor Phillippa Dean speaks with Traxtion CEO James Holley about the R3.4 billion rolling-stock investment, considered the single largest investment made by a private rail operator in South Africa.Holley explains the policy foundations behind the investment, including confidence in the National Rail Policy and the progress of the interim economic regulator. He also touches on the additional investment already developed and awaiting announcement, which is premised on the content of the soon-to-be-released Version 4 of the network statement by Transnet.The locomotives will undergo modernisation at Traxtion’s Rosslyn facility, where Holley notes that 79 percent of orders will be placed with South African companies, equating to roughly 60 percent local content. The project will drive approximately R207 million in downstream procurement into the domestic supply chain, in addition to around R1.6 billion for wagon procurement. The company will employ 662 people to support the project, most of whom will be trained through Traxtion’s training centre.Holley discusses procurement of around 920 wagons, benchmarking across local and international suppliers and the competitiveness of South Africa’s manufacturing capability.With an estimated 85 to 90 million tonnes of unmet freight demand in South Africa, Holley reflects on how this investment contributes to addressing that gap and Traxtion’s plans to continue supporting regional markets across the continent.If you missed the original announcement, premium subscribers can get it here:https://www.railwaysafrica.com/news/traxtion-confirms-r3-4bn-rolling-stock-investment-to-unlock-rail-capacity-and-jobsWatch the full discussion for clarity, context and insight into one of the most consequential private rail investments South Africa has seen.

Join Railways Africa Editor, Phillippa Dean, for a Coffee with the Editor conversation with Gwen Mahuma-Madida, CEO, and Sales Executive, Mothemane Makhura of Colossal Concrete Products, filmed during the recent Southern African Railways Association (SARA) Conference and Exhibition.The discussion covers Colossal’s role as Southern Africa’s largest railway sleeper manufacturer, and includes:Colossal’s focus on enabling cross-border commodity transport and regional integrationThe importance of project factories, local job creation, and skills transfer in African marketsThe impact of South Africa’s open-access regime and opportunities across SADCCommitment to quality, R&D, and international sleeper standards to ensure rail safetyGwen and Mothemane also highlight the need for unlocking projects to create jobs, support GDP growth, and revitalise rail infrastructure across the continent.

Railways Africa speaks with Hon. Keoagile Atamelang, Botswana’s Assistant Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, in this Coffee with the Editor.The discussion covers the status of Botswana’s key rail corridor projects, including the Trans-Kalahari Railway (TKR), Mmamabula–Lephalale Railway, and Mosetse–Kazungula–Livingstone line, as well as the rehabilitation of the Ponta Techobanine corridor with Zimbabwe and Mozambique.Hon. Atamelang outlines the importance of bilateral agreements, the country’s strategic position as a transit hub for SADC trade, and the need to revitalise Botswana Railways through investment in locomotives, rolling stock, and track infrastructure.Key topics also include plans for open access legislation, passenger rail revival, revitalisation of state-owned entities, development of dry ports and an international cargo airport. The interview highlights Botswana’s goal to transform its logistics network, support regional integration, and unlock investment opportunities.