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Logistics

First ES43ACi locomotive joins Guinea railway

Wabtec and Rio Tinto SimFer reveal new locomotive to support Guinea’s largest mining infrastructure project. (Image source: Wabtec)

Wabtec Corporation and Rio Tinto SimFer, a joint venture among the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto, and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH), recently marked a significant milestone with the unveiling of the first Evolution Series ES43ACi locomotive for the TransGuinéen Railway

This delivery is part of SimFer’s 2024 locomotive order, supporting rail operations critical to the Simandou high-grade iron ore project in southeastern Guinea, which is Africa’s largest mining and infrastructure development initiative.

Charles Zimmermann, global head of projects for Rio Tinto, stated, “This locomotive symbolizes a major step in our strategy to connect the Simandou project to the world, while bringing opportunities to the people of Guinea. We are proud to see the first SimFer locomotive roll off the production line and begin to make its way towards Guinea. This locomotive and the entire TransGuinéen Railway are critical for transporting the high-grade iron from the mine to the global market. We are grateful for Wabtec’s contribution and the role it is playing in this unique project.”

Transforming Guinea's infrastructure

The launch event brought together dignitaries from the governments of Guinea, India, and the United States, alongside leaders from Rio Tinto SimFer, Indian Railways, and Wabtec. Among the notable attendees were Minister Djiba DIAKITE, President of the Strategic Committee of the Simandou project, accompanied by Bouna SYLLA, Guinea’s Minister of Mines and Geology, as well as other members overseeing the project’s progress. The locomotive was presented in the striking blue and turquoise livery of La Compagnie de TransGuinéen, the joint venture company responsible for operating the Simandou Railway.

Mpilo Dlamini, Wabtec’s regional vice-president for sub-Saharan Africa, commented, “It is an honor to celebrate this milestone with our partners as we supply the advanced locomotives needed to meet the demands of the world’s largest untapped high-grade iron mine. This unveiling is a tribute to a global team that designed and built a locomotive specifically tailored for the Simandou project. These locomotives will efficiently facilitate the export of the mine’s critical minerals, while contributing to economic development in Guinea and providing access to services across the infrastructure corridor.”

The event also marked the first and largest export order of heavy-haul locomotives assembled at Wabtec’s facility in Marhowra, India. The ES43ACi model features a powerful 4,500-horsepower Evolution Series diesel engine, developed and manufactured in the United States, delivering industry-leading fuel efficiency and reliable performance in high-temperature conditions.

The Simandou mountain range is renowned for its exceptional iron ore deposits, with Rio Tinto estimating reserves of approximately 1.5 billion tonnes of high-grade ore. The broader project includes the construction of a 600 km multi-purpose railway linking the mine to a coastal port in the Forécariah prefecture, facilitating efficient mineral exports. This major international investment not only promises to unlock Guinea’s mineral wealth but also represents a transformative opportunity to accelerate economic growth and regional development throughout the country.

DP World drives seamless automotive growth across sub-Saharan Africa

DP World unveils integrated logistics solution to help OEMs expand efficiently in sub-Saharan Africa’s auto market. (Image source: DP World)

DP World has introduced a comprehensive logistics and market-entry solution designed to overcome the longstanding challenges faced by automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) aiming to expand in sub-Saharan Africa

Sub-Saharan Africa is set to become one of the fastest-growing automotive markets globally, with vehicle demand forecasted to rise by 28.5% by 2030. This growth is fuelled by increasing incomes, urbanisation, and booming intra-African trade. However, despite the region representing about 18% of the world’s population, it accounts for only around 1% of global vehicle sales. Global OEMs have struggled to grow in the region due to unreliable logistics infrastructure, complex regulations, and inconsistent parts distribution.

DP World’s new turnkey offering marks its first automotive hybrid model in sub-Saharan Africa, combining contract logistics with customised market-entry and expansion services through a single integrated platform. This service provides nationwide delivery to most dealerships within 24 to 48 hours, a digital dealer portal featuring SKU-level inventory visibility, real-time tracking, automated ordering, and integrated payments.

Market entry success

The solution was successfully tested with Foton Motor, a prominent Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer. By utilising DP World’s end-to-end support platform, Foton swiftly launched aftermarket operations for heavy commercial vehicles in South Africa, encompassing warehousing, nationwide distribution, regulatory compliance, and digital dealer enablement. This fast market entry gave Foton South Africa a competitive edge with an integrated service network, helping to build early customer trust and engagement.

Fu Jun, president of Foton International at Foton Motor Group, added, “Growing our presence in South Africa is a priority for Foton, and our work with DP World has played an important role in making that possible. Their support with unlocking market and contract logistics services has helped make our aftermarket operations efficient and straightforward, allowing us to concentrate on serving our customers and building our business.”

The hybrid model also enables OEMs to gain a first-mover advantage in a market where aftermarket parts are often dominated by informal suppliers and grey imports. By providing a dependable service network, OEMs like Foton can establish trust, secure long-term customer loyalty, and reduce counterfeit parts risks, all while benefiting from a single point of contact and accountability within the region.

“The automotive industry’s outlook for Africa is changing fast. The question is no longer whether to enter the market, but how to do it effectively. With extensive infrastructure across the region, and deep expertise in complex logistics and market solutions, DP World is ideally placed to support international automakers looking to enter or expand into one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets,” stated Mark Rylance, chief operating officer for Logistics at DP World Sub-Saharan Africa.

DP World plans to develop further innovative solutions to assist more OEMs entering sub-Saharan African markets in the coming years as it scales its services to meet the rising demand for commercial and passenger vehicles across the region.

DP World expands port infrastructure across African coastlines and globally

DP World advances Banana deep-sea port in DRC. (Image source: DP World)

DP World is set to invest US$2.5bn in 2025 to broaden its global logistics footprint, initiating major infrastructure projects across India, Africa, South America, and Europe. The move comes in response to increasing demand for more resilient and integrated supply chain solutions

These four large-scale projects—spanning four continents—will boost DP World's end-to-end logistics capabilities and significantly enhance the capacity of its international port network, reinforcing the company’s role as a central player in global commerce.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and Group CEO of DP World, stated, “Global trade is evolving fast, and we are investing boldly to shape its future. Despite short-term uncertainty, this US$2.5bn commitment reflects our confidence in long-term trade growth and our determination to build the infrastructure needed to keep the world connected.

“We are building a unique array of assets and suite of capabilities, helping our customers stay competitive, support local economies and enable global access. Nobody can match us for the diversity and breadth of our supply chain solutions.”

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, construction is advancing on a deep-sea port at Banana, situated on the Atlantic coast. This 450,000 TEU-a-year port is expected to reduce costs and delivery times for Congolese trade by attracting larger vessels from Asia and Europe, thereby spurring regional economic development.

Elsewhere in West Africa, DP World is progressing with the US$830mn first phase of the Ndayane Port in Senegal. Once operational, this 1.2 million TEU-a-year facility will play a vital role in supporting the country’s long-term economic ambitions.

In South America, the company has begun a US$140mn expansion of the berth at the Port of Posorja in Ecuador. The upgrade will extend the quay to 700 metres, enabling the simultaneous docking of two post-Panamax ships.

Meanwhile, in the UK, DP World is committing US$1bn to enhance its London Gateway logistics hub. The expansion includes two new shipping berths and a second rail terminal, which together are expected to generate 400 new jobs. The upgrades position London Gateway to become the UK’s largest container port by the decade’s end.

These investments are central to DP World’s goal of building a globally interconnected logistics platform—encompassing ports, inland services, marine transport, warehousing, freight forwarding, and digital technologies. The company’s freight forwarding network now spans over 240 offices worldwide, ensuring responsiveness to the evolving demands of global cargo owners.

“Our integrated model gives us visibility and control across the entire supply chain, helping our partners reduce risks and costs. No one else can offer this breadth of capabilities, and we are proud to deliver long-term value to the customers and communities we serve,” added Bin Sulayem.

The company’s expanding presence reflects its broader commitment to trade as a positive force—driving employment, fostering development, and enhancing access to goods for millions around the world.

Bayobab launches cross-border fibre connectivity route

Bayobab enhances East Africa’s connectivity with resilient cross-border fibre via railway infrastructure

Bayobab, a subsidiary of MTN Group, has marked a key milestone in advancing digital infrastructure across East Africa with the official launch of the Kenya Railway–Uganda Railway NLD Mombasa to Kampala fibre route

This strategic cross-border initiative significantly enhances digital integration between Kenya and Uganda.

The newly commissioned fibre route covers 260 km along the Uganda Railway corridor from Kampala to Tororo, extending to Malaba at the Kenya–Uganda border. It links directly to Kenya’s National Long Distance (NLD) fibre, which was introduced in 2024 and runs along the Kenya Railways Meter Gauge Route from Mombasa to Malaba. The seamless interconnection at Malaba integrates into Bayobab’s subsea cable systems in Mombasa, further reinforcing East Africa’s data transport capabilities and enabling high-capacity, low-latency connectivity from Uganda to global networks.

Strengthening regional digital infrastructure

"Kenya’s position as a regional digital gateway is further cemented by this cross-border collaboration. By interconnecting with Uganda via this high-capacity route, we are enhancing regional digital resilience, creating alternative routes for traffic, and opening new opportunities for businesses and communities along the corridor. This is not just fibre in the ground — it’s a new pathway for digital transformation across East Africa," commented Sylvia Anampiu, managing director: Bayobab Kenya.

Constructed between December 2024 and February 2025, the Kampala-to-Malaba segment is securely deployed along railway infrastructure, ensuring protection from road-based risks such as construction damage and providing stable and uninterrupted network service. This initiative aligns with Bayobab’s broader strategy of enabling secure and seamless cross-border digital connectivity throughout Africa.

Delivering impact through interconnection

As a landlocked country, Uganda gains significant strategic advantage from the route, which provides a shorter and more resilient connection to Mombasa’s subsea cable landing points. The infrastructure supports both rural broadband development and high-bandwidth enterprise services, while linking key data centres across Uganda and Kenya.

Designed to meet the demands of hyperscalers, service providers, and enterprises expanding in East Africa, the route ensures reliable and scalable digital access across the region.

This project underscores Bayobab’s ongoing commitment to building a robust, secure, and interconnected digital ecosystem in Africa. The Mombasa–Malaba–Kampala corridor represents one of several initiatives designed to digitally unite the continent and connect it more effectively to the global digital economy.

African air cargo demand slowing, but capacity up

Air cargo demand is slowing but capacity is up (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Air cargo volumes were sluggish in Africa compared to other global regions during March, according to the latest analysis from the International Air Transport Association (IATA)

During March 2025, African airlines recorded a -13.4% year-on-year decrease in demand for air cargo services, the slowest among all regions globally.

This is in stark contrast with the global industry average, which saw a 4.4% rise in air cargo demand, measured in cargo-tonne-kilometres, versus March 2024, IATA reported.

Demand for air cargo is a useful barometer of trade, with many high-value items transported by air, such as smart phones and IT equipment, automotive components, precious metals and gems, perishable food items and pharmaceuticals.

E-commerce shipments and other courier items are also a growing component of the air cargo industry.

However, Africa also recorded a 10.5% year-on-year increase in cargo capacity, most of which is belly cargo hold space on passenger aircraft, according to the IATA analysis.

Africa also posted a cargo load factor of 37.1%, representing a year-on-year fall of -10.4%. In other words, a little more than one third of available capacity was taken up by the market.

It makes Africa the weakest-performing region monitored by the airline group, according to Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, who noted that, globally, air cargo volumes overall fared well.

“March cargo volumes were strong,” he said. “It is possible that this is partly a front-loading of demand as some businesses tried to beat the well-telegraphed 2 April tariff announcement by the Trump Administration.”

He said the uncertainty over how much of the 2 April proposals in the USA will be implemented may eventually weigh on trade.

“In the meantime, the lower fuel costs — which are also a result of the same uncertainty — are a short-term positive factor for air cargo. And, within the temporary pause on implementation, we hope that political leaders will be able to shift trade tensions to reliable agreements that can restore confidence in global supply chains.”

While the Europe-North America route was the busiest trade lane in March, Africa-Asia and Europe-Middle East were the only trade lanes to record declines.

The Africa-Asia route has now recorded four consecutive months of decline.

Read more:

Aviation sector to lead African growth

Aviation's contribution to African economy set to take off

IATA seeks to improve aviation safety in Africa

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