‘Regional rail network needs cross-border regulator’

Africa should be encouraged to develop rail networks across countries and regions, as it will benefit its trade immensely, according to experts at the AfricaRail 2011 conference held in Sandton recently. Tim Lehman of Deutsche Bahn International in Germany told delegates that the secret to success lay in ensuring an open and transparent network that was managed by a cross-border regulator who set the rules of the game and ensured everyone had an equal chance in the market. According to Martin Fleetwood of the United Kingdom Rail Working Group, it’s all about getting the right levels of regulation. “There is without doubt a need for economic regulation in South Africa. In Europe we have policy that covers the entire EU and that is then stepped down to each individual country. That is what ensures a level playing field.” Mike Karakadzai, CEO of the National Railways of Zimbabwe, said it was possible to achieve this in southern Africa, as the building blocks were all there. “I think the South African Railway Association is working very hard towards building a platform where we can harmonise standards and share resources across our region, but we have some way to go before we are there.” With many agreeing the only way forward is a standardised, integrated regional railway, its delivery remains problematic. “In Africa you must have political buy-in and commitment otherwise there is no point in even trying to move forward,” said Norbert Lubanda, CEO of the Congo National Railways in the DRC. “Our biggest challenges lie in harmonising our systems and upgrading our infrastructure.” Historically there has been no maintenance or investment in the continent’s rail network, with some rolling stock as old as 60-80 years. Karakadzai commented that 37 years was still new for rolling stock operating in the sub-Saharan region. “One of the major issues is that many private companies are far more interested in the material being removed from the ground than in playing any role whatsoever in what is moving that very product,” said Lubanda. “We have to work towards a system that separates operations and infrastructure, where there is open access for private operators to function but with a common regulatory system that can create an integrated railways where funds can be generated to upgrade and maintain our infrastructure.”