Kenya’s $13 billion railway project is taking shape

Phoebe Parke
By Phoebe Parke, for CNN
Updated 9:38 PM EDT, Sun May 15, 2016
A new railway is being built in Kenya, the first section will connect seaside city Mombasa to Naivasha. This initial section of the railway should be completed by 2017, but its part of a much wider project that will eventually link Mombasa with other major east African cities such as Kampala in Uganda.
Photos: Kenya's new railway so far
TONY KARUMBA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Kenya's new railway so far —
A new railway is being built in Kenya, the first section will connect seaside city Mombasa to Naivasha. This initial section of the railway should be completed by 2017, but its part of a much wider project that will eventually link Mombasa with other major east African cities such as Kampala in Uganda.
When completed passenger trains will travel at 120km/h and freight trains will be able to carry 25 million tonnes per year. <a href="http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/africa/kenyan-standard-gauge-railway-nears-completion.html?channel=" target="_blank" target="_blank">Reportedly, 75% of construction has been completed</a>.
Photos: Kenya's new railway so far
TONY KARUMBA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Kenya's new railway so far —
When completed passenger trains will travel at 120km/h and freight trains will be able to carry 25 million tonnes per year. Reportedly, 75% of construction has been completed.
Elephants ranging near the high speed standard gauge railway will be fitted with advanced radio tracking collars. This means conservationists will be able to discern any disruptions in their natural movement cycles caused by the new railway.
Photos: Kenya's new railway so far
TONY KARUMBA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Kenya's new railway so far —
Elephants ranging near the high speed standard gauge railway will be fitted with advanced radio tracking collars. This means conservationists will be able to discern any disruptions in their natural movement cycles caused by the new railway.
This railway is the most expensive of a series of construction projects in Africa. China has been investing in other projects in Africa, including a mega port in Lamu, Kenya and a manufacturing zone in Ethiopia.
Photos: Kenya's new railway so far
TONY KARUMBA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Kenya's new railway so far —
This railway is the most expensive of a series of construction projects in Africa. China has been investing in other projects in Africa, including a mega port in Lamu, Kenya and a manufacturing zone in Ethiopia.
The hope is that this new railway will reduce congestion and ease up the pressure on the crowded streets. <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/za/Documents/manufacturing/ZA-ConstructionTrendsReport-2015.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank">According to Deloitte</a>, more than 131 billion dollars was spent on transportation construction in 2015, and it's predicted that by 2025, $200 billion is expected to be spent on the continent's roads, and another seven billion dollars on African airports.
Photos: Kenya's new railway so far
TONY KARUMBA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Kenya's new railway so far —
The hope is that this new railway will reduce congestion and ease up the pressure on the crowded streets. According to Deloitte, more than 131 billion dollars was spent on transportation construction in 2015, and it's predicted that by 2025, $200 billion is expected to be spent on the continent's roads, and another seven billion dollars on African airports.

Story highlights

The first stage of a $13.8 billion railway project in Kenya is nearly finished

The China-funded standard gauge railway will cut travel times between major cities

CNN  — 

It’s been billed as the most ambitious project in Kenya since it gained independence in 1963.

Now, the first section of the east African nation’s $13.8 billion railway is nearly finished.

Originally planned to link Mombasa and Nairobi, the decision was made to extend the line to the market town of Naivasha in 2015, and 75% of civil works have reportedly been completed. This first Mombasa-Nairobi stretch will be completed by June 2017, consulting firm CPCS told CNN.

It is hoped that the track will shorten the journey between the two cities from 12 hours to four hours. Passenger trains will travel at 120km/h, and freight trains will be able to carry 25 million tonnes per year, according to the International Railway Journal.

Eventually, the East Africa Railway Masterplan will link Mombasa with other major east African cities such as Kampala, in Uganda, and Juba, in South Sudan.

Planned extent of railway
Planned extent of railway

Investment from China

The East Africa Railway Masterplan is being managed by the East Africa Community; an intergovernmental organization of six partner states; Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda, which aims to create a politically united and secure East Africa.

Management consulting firm CPCS advised the East Africa Community on the financial, legal and economic impact of the project.

The railway is being built by the state-owned China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), 90% of the ongoing development of the Mombasa-Nairobi section is being financed by The Export-Import Bank of China.

Kenya railways
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The hope is that this new railway will reduce congestion on Kenya’s crowded road network, and promote tourism.

This railway is the most expensive of a series of construction projects in Africa.

According to Deloitte, more than $131 billion was spent on transportation construction on the continent in 2015; by 2025, $200 billion is expected to be spent on the continent’s roads, and another $7 billion dollars on African airports.

China has been investing in other projects in Africa, including a mega port in Lamu, Kenya, and a manufacturing zone in Ethiopia.

Trade and partnership deals between African countries and China have been steadily increasing in recent years. Chinese investment is already the leading source of <a href="http://www.bakermckenzie.com/news/China-is-poised-to-remain-the-biggest-funding-source-for-Africas-infrastructure-projects-01-28-2016/" target="_blank" target="_blank">infrastructure spending</a> in Africa, and through China's import-export bank projects that investment will reach <a href="http://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/1358902/china-provide-africa-us1tr-financing" target="_blank" target="_blank">$1 trillion</a> by 2025. <br /><br />Trade has become increasingly diverse, as typified by <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/01/160101-zimbabwe-elephants-china-export-zoos-conservation-jane-goodall/" target="_blank" target="_blank">recent deals</a> to export elephants from Zimbabwe to China. President Robert Mugabe's government sold 24 elephants to Chinese zoos in 2015, and despite protests from animal welfare groups, the figure will climb again this year. <br /><br />Click through to see how the partnership is having an impact across the continent. Figures from <a href="http://comtrade.un.org/data/" target="_blank" target="_blank">UN COMTRADE</a> data.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Access all areas —
Trade and partnership deals between African countries and China have been steadily increasing in recent years. Chinese investment is already the leading source of infrastructure spending in Africa, and through China's import-export bank projects that investment will reach $1 trillion by 2025.

Trade has become increasingly diverse, as typified by recent deals to export elephants from Zimbabwe to China. President Robert Mugabe's government sold 24 elephants to Chinese zoos in 2015, and despite protests from animal welfare groups, the figure will climb again this year.

Click through to see how the partnership is having an impact across the continent. Figures from UN COMTRADE data.
In addition to elephants, Zimbabwe also exports vast quantities of raw tobacco to China. Sales reached a new peak of $575 million in 2014.<br /><br />In return, China supplies Zimbabwe with telephone equipment worth over $50 million, and a range of construction equipment.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Cost of smoking —
In addition to elephants, Zimbabwe also exports vast quantities of raw tobacco to China. Sales reached a new peak of $575 million in 2014.

In return, China supplies Zimbabwe with telephone equipment worth over $50 million, and a range of construction equipment.
Benin is the leading importer of wigs in Africa, spending $411 million in 2014 on Chinese-made fake hair. <br /><br />The tiny state was also by far the continent's largest buyer of cotton from China, worth $852 million.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Ben-in disguise —
Benin is the leading importer of wigs in Africa, spending $411 million in 2014 on Chinese-made fake hair.

The tiny state was also by far the continent's largest buyer of cotton from China, worth $852 million.
Nigeria accounts for the most umbrella imports, with trade worth $39 million in 2014. The state also took $139 million of refrigerators from China.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Whatever the weather —
Nigeria accounts for the most umbrella imports, with trade worth $39 million in 2014. The state also took $139 million of refrigerators from China.
Morocco supported one of the country's most popular habits with tea imports from China worth $211 million in 2014, the most of any African state.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Exotic taste —
Morocco supported one of the country's most popular habits with tea imports from China worth $211 million in 2014, the most of any African state.
Ethiopia supplied its booming construction industry by importing railway track materials worth $60 million in 2014, the highest spend in Africa.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Right track —
Ethiopia supplied its booming construction industry by importing railway track materials worth $60 million in 2014, the highest spend in Africa.
South Africa was the leading importer of bicycles in 2014, with trade valued at $23 million. Libya followed close behind with $11 million worth of Chinese bikes.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Wealth kick —
South Africa was the leading importer of bicycles in 2014, with trade valued at $23 million. Libya followed close behind with $11 million worth of Chinese bikes.
Liberia imported ships worth a continent-high $833 million in 2014, in most cases through the famous port of Monrovia.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Going overboard —
Liberia imported ships worth a continent-high $833 million in 2014, in most cases through the famous port of Monrovia.
China's scarves have found their largest African market in Egypt, which imported supplies worth $45 million in 2014. The nations also have a healthy exchange of carpets, with multi-million dollar supplies traveling in both directions.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Total coverage —
China's scarves have found their largest African market in Egypt, which imported supplies worth $45 million in 2014. The nations also have a healthy exchange of carpets, with multi-million dollar supplies traveling in both directions.
A recent report from the Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town documented increased Chinese investment in real estate in South Africa and Mauritius, worth <a href="http://www.ccs.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/CCS_Research-Report_Chinese_Presence_South-Africa_Mauritius_Honita_Cowaloosur_2016.pdf" target="_blank" target="_blank">around $740 million</a> in the island state since 2005.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
Courtesy Starwood Hotels and Resorts
Holiday homes —
A recent report from the Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town documented increased Chinese investment in real estate in South Africa and Mauritius, worth around $740 million in the island state since 2005.
China has also invested heavily in cultural projects across Africa. <br /><br />Theaters have been a priority area, including Senegal's new 1800-seat Grand National in Dakar (pictured), largely funded through Chinese aid.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
SEYLLOU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Curtain call —
China has also invested heavily in cultural projects across Africa.

Theaters have been a priority area, including Senegal's new 1800-seat Grand National in Dakar (pictured), largely funded through Chinese aid.
'Stadium diplomacy' has been another feature of Chinese investment, with new arenas in Cameroon, Ghana, and Angola's November 11 stadium in Luanda (pictured).
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
JOE KLAMAR/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Stadium diplomacy —
'Stadium diplomacy' has been another feature of Chinese investment, with new arenas in Cameroon, Ghana, and Angola's November 11 stadium in Luanda (pictured).
Dozens of African hospitals have been built with Chinese funds in recent years. President Xi Jinping inaugurated this hospital and a new university library in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, in 2013.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
GUY-GERVAIS KITINA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Medical aid —
Dozens of African hospitals have been built with Chinese funds in recent years. President Xi Jinping inaugurated this hospital and a new university library in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, in 2013.
The headquarters of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was built with $200 million of Chinese state funds.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Strength in unity —
The headquarters of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was built with $200 million of Chinese state funds.
China's largest commitments in Africa are to infrastructure projects, such as Nigeria's $8.3 billion Lagos-Kano rail line, largely funded through Chinese loans.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Transport upgrades —
China's largest commitments in Africa are to infrastructure projects, such as Nigeria's $8.3 billion Lagos-Kano rail line, largely funded through Chinese loans.
Ghana has been able to mitigate electricity shortages through the Bui Dam on its Western border, which incorporates a 400-megawatt hydropower plant. The $600 million project was constructed by the Sino Hydro company, supported by Chinese state loans.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
wiki commons
Turning the tide —
Ghana has been able to mitigate electricity shortages through the Bui Dam on its Western border, which incorporates a 400-megawatt hydropower plant. The $600 million project was constructed by the Sino Hydro company, supported by Chinese state loans.
China has supplied credit worth over $2 billion to an oil refinery project in Angola, although this has been hit with delays.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Fueling development —
China has supplied credit worth over $2 billion to an oil refinery project in Angola, although this has been hit with delays.
The 50-kilometer, eight-lane Thika superhighway was built by Chinese state-owned construction firm Wu Yi in 2012, and supported with Chinese funding.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
GEORGINA GOODWIN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Road less traveled —
The 50-kilometer, eight-lane Thika superhighway was built by Chinese state-owned construction firm Wu Yi in 2012, and supported with Chinese funding.

Wildlife sanctuary controversy

Controversy has not been absent, however, from the new railway: initially, the proposed route would cut into Nairobi’s wildlife sanctuary.

A deal was made between wildlife officials and the Kenyan government, according to the Guardian, that the track would be walled off.

It remains to be seen if the railway will have as big an economic impact as predicted.

In November 2013, Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta laid the foundation stone for the construction, telling local media; “The project will define my legacy as president of Kenya. What we are doing here today will most definitely transform… not only Kenya but the whole eastern African region.”

00:57 - Source: CNN
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