Logistics

Rolls-Royce and SMH give new life to retired Kenya Railways locomotives

One of the refurbished locomotives on the move.

The repowering of the retired locomotives is part of a significant railway refurbishment. (Image source: Rolls-Royce)

Rolls-Royce, a developer of complex power and propulsion solutions, and SMH Rail (SMH), a leading engineering services provider from Malaysia, have repowered three Kenya Railways heavy haulage locomotives with 16V series 4000 mtu engines

The project by Kenya Railways is aimed at reviving locomotives that are more than 40 years old, returning them to service and providing a boost to the transportation of goods across the region. Supported by Rolls-Royce, it was carried out by SMH which conducted the broader refurbishment.

“With the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), we are experiencing an increase in cross-border trade,” said Philip Mainga EBS, managing director of Kenya Railways Corporation. “By reviving this fleet, we are confident in our ability to meet the rising demand effectively, affordably and sustainably, contributing to the growth of our East African economy.”

According to Rolls-Royce, the mtu 4000 Series engines represent the pinnacle of its technology for high-performance and low-emission power systems. Designed to withstand demanding condition, the engines are known for their reliability, durability and fuel-efficiency and will deliver increased horsepower. The engines will enable the locomotives to handle heavier loads across the challenging landscapes and will enhance the overall efficiency of Kenya’s transport system.

“We are honoured to partner with SMH and Kenya Railways on this important, first-of-its-kind project that has already proven successful,” remarked Andreas Görtz, president business unit mobile & sustainable of Rolls-Royce Power Systems division. “By integrating our advanced mtu Series 4000 engines into these locomotives, we contribute to a more sustainable and efficient rail transport system in Kenya. This partnership is an excellent example of our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and providing solutions that meet the specific needs of our customers.”

This announcement serves as another demonstration of the growing influence of Rolls-Royce within the region having just announced a new partnership to deliver advanced mtu power solutions across Tanzania. This development was explored by African Review through a dedicated Q&A in the November issue available here.

AGL recognised at Invest in African Energy Awards

The AGL team posing for a picture with their award.

AGL received the recognition at the Invest in African Energy Awards 2024. (Image source: AGL)

At the Invest in African Energy Awards 2024, organised as part of the Africa Energy Week (AEW), Africa Global Logistics (AGL), a leading multimodal logistics operation in Africa, received the Service Provider of the Year award

AGL provides tailor-made solutions to meet the complex requirements and unique needs of energy industry projects on the continent. It has an investment strategy of EU€500mn (approx. US$535mn) per year, allowing it to support Africa’s major transformation with the objectives of connecting the continent to the global market, supporting intra-African trade and reducing the environmental impact of its logistics activities.

According to AGL, it is this commitment to the development of innovative and sustainable logistics solutions for the energy sector in Africa that has earned it the prestigious awards. Mohamed Diop, regional director, AGL Senegal, explained, “This award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability and operational excellence. We are honored by this recognition and remain committed to supporting our customers and partners with world-class logistics solutions, serving Africa's sustainable development.”

The company is involved in large-scale projects across Africa and supports strategic initiatives such as the GTA project in Mauritania and Senegal, the development of the Tilenga CPF, and the management of Sasol's land base in Pemba, Mozambique. AGL also supports the implementation of modular and integrated solutions, adapted to the different phases of energy projects, from exploration to production.

Providing specific infrastructure and skills for logistics bases, supply chains and energy construction projects, AGL also offers advanced logistics services (4PL), renewable energy solutions, and rigorous compliance systems that ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental compliance for large industrial projects.

Ethiopian Airlines bolsters fleet with A350-1000

A aircraft in the sky branded with Ethiopian Airlines colours and name

With the addition of the A350-1000, Ethiopian Airlines reaffirms its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. (Image source: Ethiopian Airlines)

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the arrival of the continent’s first Airbus A350-1000 which landed at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport

Marked by a ceremony attended by government officials, ambassadors, diplomats and representatives from Airbus and Thales, the aircraft arrived from France alongside a payload of medical supplies valued at more than EU€100,000 (approx. US$107mn) donated by Aviation Sans Frontières in collaboration with Airbus.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Airbus A350-1000 to our fleet, solidifying our position as leaders in aviation technology,” remarked Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO. “This aircraft embodies cutting-edge advancements, offering superior passenger comfort, enhanced fuel efficiency, and reduced environmental impact. Together, we are pioneering a sustainable future for aviation in Africa.”

The design of the new aircraft is described as “revolutionary” by Ethiopian Airlines and features innovative aerodynamics and a carbon-fibre fuselage that is powered by the fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. These ensure a quieter, smoother journey for long-haul travelers which is aided by Thales’ AVANT Up inflight entertainment and the HBC+ connectivity system. According to Ethiopian Airlines, this will provide travellers with luxurious amenities, spacious seating, large screens, and a unique landscape camera.

"At Thales, we are proud of our long-term partnership with Ethiopian and are delighted to have our AVANT Up system flying on the first A350-1000 in Africa. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the airline and create new opportunities to bring exceptional experiences to Ethiopian and its passengers,” said Niels Steenstrup, CEO, Thales InFlyt Experience.

The new addition has been seen as a transformative moment for Ethiopian Airlines and will set new standards for the continent’s aviation sector, aligning with the airline's Vision 2035 plan. In the coming months, it will also welcome three additional A250-1000 aircrafts to further enhance its modern fleet.

This is not the only way Ethiopian Airlines has sought to revolutionise air travel across Ethiopia and Africa this year. Recently, the company signed a contract for the design and supervision of a mega airport city that will have the capacity to serve 110 million passengers per year. Click here to learn more.

BasiGo to scale public transport electrification

Several BasiGo electric buses lined up in a car park

BasiGo aims to deliver 1,000 electric buses in East Africa within the next three years. (Image source: BasiGo)

BasiGo, a provider of electric bus solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, has successfully secured US$42mn in new funding to help scale the electrification of public transport in sub-Saharan Africa

The new capital will support the company in its core ambition of delivering 1,000 electric buses in East Africa in the next three years. A sizeable chunk of this will be used to increase manufacturing capacity at its E-Bus assembly line in Kenya. Additional funds will also be dedicated to expanding the Pay-As-You-Drive offering to new vehicle types and to improve BasiGo’s technology platforms such as Jani.

Significant investment in electrification

The new funding for BasiGo has come from a number of different sources. Primarily, it includes a US$24mn in Series A funding and US$17.5mn in debt facilities from British International Investment (BII) and the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The equity funding round is led by Africa50 and marks the most significant investment from an African fund in an e-mobility company according to BasiGo. The equity round also features co-investments from Novastar Ventures, CFAO Kenya, Mobility54, SBI Investment, Trucks VC, Moxxi Ventures, and Susquehanna Foundation.

“Since we founded BasiGo in 2021, our mission has been to create the future of clean, electric public transport in Africa,” explained Jit Bhattacharya, CEO of BasiGo. “We are thrilled to have Africa50, a premier African infrastructure investment fund, recognise the potential of our mission. The combined equity and debt investment into BasiGo validates our business model and enables BasiGo to focus on scale and profitability. With BII's support to expand our E-bus model in Rwanda, we are ready to deliver hundreds of modern, emissions-free electric buses across East Africa.”

Raza Hasnani, managing director and head of infrastructure investments at Africa50, remarked, “We are delighted to conclude Africa50’s first investment in the e-mobility space to support the greening of the public transport sector in Kenya and Rwanda. We believe BasiGo is well positioned to scale in East Africa and beyond given its world class engineering and operations teams, strong value proposition to transport operators and the calibre of strategic and financial partners assembled by the founders.”

Electric vehicles in East Africa

BasiGo’s operations in Rwanda began in December 2023 and now consist of six pilot electric buses running inside Kigalo as well as inter-city routes to nearby towns. As per the new debt facility from BII, the company plans to launch commercial deliveries of e-buses in the country and has already received more than 300 reservations from bus operators.

“We are delighted to support BasiGo as it expands into Rwanda,” surmised Seema Dhanani, head of office, Kenya and coverage director, East Africa at BII. “This marks a significant step in electrifying the local public transport sector, reducing pollution, and combating climate change impacts. This is in line with our priority of supporting e-mobility to foster sustainable economic growth.”

e-transport solutions are becoming an increasingly attractive option in East Africa with a number of companies seeking to support this blossoming sector. Leading EV energy tech company Ampersand, for example, has just opened a large manufacturing facility in Nairobi to help meet the increasing demand for electric motorcycles in the country. Click here to learn more about this story.

Signed contract for US$3bn Malaba-Kampala Railway

A picture of a red freight training travelling away from the camera.

The agreement reportedly represents one of the largest contracts signed by Turkish contractors abroad. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Yapi Merkezi, a Turkish contracting company with a focus on construction, has officially signed the contract to oversee the construction of the Malaba-Kampala Railway Project

Valued at around US$3bn, Yapi Merkezi will lead the design, construction and supply of rail vehicles for the 273 km railway. Meeting European and American standards and fully electrified, the project features a design speed of 120 km/h and includes two major stations, four medium stations, one marshalling yard, and three freight terminals.

According to Yapi Merkezi, the agreement represents one of the largest contracts signed by Turkish contractors abroad and will hold strategic significance for Uganda and the wider East African region.

To fulfill the contract, Yapi Merkezi will leverage its extensive expertise in railway engineering and has provided optimal engineering solutions for the project.

Elsewhere, the 800 km Zambia Lobito Rail Project received a boost with new concession agreements signed between AFC and the governments of Angola and Zambia. Click here to learn more