European Commission prioritises rail interoperability across Southern African networks
A senior European Commission official has outlined how the European Union is positioning railway development as a cornerstone of its partnership strategy with Africa, emphasizing regional integration, decarbonisation, and technical harmonization as critical pathways to unlocking the continent's transport potential. Sergio Oliete Josa, Head of Sustainable Transport and Urban Development at the European Commission, shared these insights during a conversation with Railways Africa Editor Phillippa Dean at the recent Luanda Financing Summit, following his participation in a panel discussion on infrastructure investment.
Josa made clear that rail sits atop the EU's engagement priorities with African nations, driven by its capacity to deliver environmental benefits, stimulate economic activity, and generate social impact. He argued that regional integration represents the key to improving project bankability, a challenge that has long plagued African railway initiatives. By connecting national networks and creating cross-border corridors, projects can achieve the demand density and freight volumes necessary to sustain operations without perpetual subsidies. This approach shifts the conversation from isolated national projects toward coordinated regional systems that mirror successful models in Europe and Asia.
The European Union's comparative advantage, according to Josa, lies in its experience supporting both long-distance freight corridors and urban mobility systems. This dual expertise allows the EU to engage across the full spectrum of rail development, from metros and tramways serving growing African cities to intercity and regional lines that facilitate trade and passenger movement. For travel professionals, this signals potential growth in urban tourism infrastructure and improved connectivity between major destinations, which could reshape itinerary planning and regional travel patterns.
In Angola specifically, the EU is collaborating through the EU–AFD Mobilise Your City partnership, which is assisting Luanda authorities in developing Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans. These frameworks aim to reduce congestion, lower emissions, and improve quality of life in one of Africa's fastest-growing capitals. The initiative reflects a broader recognition that African urbanization demands coordinated transport planning rather than ad-hoc infrastructure additions. For tourism operators, improved urban mobility translates to more accessible city centres, reduced transfer times, and enhanced visitor experiences.
Beyond Angola's borders, Josa highlighted EU involvement in the Maputo–Ressano Garcia railway, a strategic corridor linking Mozambique's capital to the South African border. The EU is supporting Phase 2 construction works and engaging in discussions about implementing European interoperability and signalling standards, particularly the European Rail Traffic Management System known as ERTMS. This technical cooperation represents more than infrastructure financing; it introduces regulatory frameworks and operational standards that could eventually enable seamless cross-border rail operations throughout Southern Africa.
The emphasis on interoperability carries profound implications for regional integration. Currently, many African rail networks operate on incompatible technical standards inherited from different colonial powers or developed in isolation. Gauge differences, signalling systems, and operational protocols create barriers that limit efficiency and increase costs. By promoting harmonized standards aligned with proven European systems, the EU aims to facilitate smoother cross-border movements of both freight and passengers. For the tourism sector, this could eventually enable direct rail services connecting multiple countries, opening new possibilities for overland travel experiences.
Josa outlined current preparatory work with the European Union Agency for Railways to support the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, and the Southern African Railways Association in harmonizing regulations on rail interoperability and signalling systems. This technical assistance targets the regulatory foundations necessary for standardized operations across multiple jurisdictions. While such work may seem distant from immediate commercial concerns, it establishes the framework within which future rail services will operate, determining whether cross-border travel becomes routine or remains logistically complex.
The focus on decarbonisation aligns with global climate commitments while addressing Africa's specific development needs. Rail transport generates significantly lower emissions per ton-kilometer than road freight, making it essential for countries seeking to expand trade without proportionally increasing carbon footprints. For passenger services, electrified rail offers alternatives to domestic aviation and long-distance road travel, both of which carry higher environmental costs. As sustainability becomes increasingly important to international travelers, destinations with efficient rail networks may gain competitive advantages in attracting environmentally conscious visitors.
The economic dimensions of rail development extend beyond direct transport benefits. Railway construction and operations create employment, stimulate local manufacturing through procurement, and catalyze development along corridors. Josa's emphasis on bankability and reduced subsidy dependence reflects lessons learned from projects that failed to achieve financial sustainability. By prioritizing regional integration and sufficient demand, the EU approach aims to create railways that function as economic assets rather than perpetual drains on public budgets.
For African tourism professionals, these railway developments present both opportunities and strategic considerations. Improved rail connectivity could facilitate multi-destination itineraries that currently prove logistically challenging, particularly in Southern Africa where road distances are vast and aviation options limited. Railway stations in city centres offer advantages over airports in peripheral locations, potentially shifting competitive dynamics between transport modes. The development of urban rail systems in capitals like Luanda could enhance accessibility to hotels, attractions, and business districts, influencing property values and destination marketing strategies.
The technical cooperation on standards and interoperability also matters for tourism operations. Predictable, reliable rail services operating on modern signalling systems can be integrated into tour packages with greater confidence than networks plagued by delays and operational uncertainties. As African railways adopt European technical standards, they may also become more accessible to international operators familiar with those systems, potentially facilitating partnerships and knowledge transfer.
The EU's engagement through multiple channels—direct project financing, technical assistance, regulatory support, and capacity building—demonstrates a comprehensive approach to infrastructure development. This contrasts with purely commercial models focused on construction contracts without attention to operational sustainability or regional coordination. For African governments and transport authorities, this approach offers pathways to develop railways that serve broader development objectives rather than functioning as isolated infrastructure assets.
Looking ahead, the success of these initiatives will depend on sustained political commitment, adequate financing, and effective coordination among multiple stakeholders. Railway development requires long time horizons and patient capital, characteristics not always aligned with political cycles or commercial investment expectations. The EU's role in bridging these gaps through technical support and risk mitigation could prove decisive in determining whether African rail networks achieve their potential.
For travel professionals monitoring these developments, the key takeaway is that African rail is entering a new phase characterized by regional thinking, technical modernization, and sustainability priorities. While transformation will not occur overnight, the foundations being laid today will shape how people and goods move across the continent for decades to come. Those who anticipate these changes and adapt their strategies accordingly will be best positioned to capitalize on the opportunities that improved rail connectivity creates.
