Africa’s railway sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by ambitious infrastructure projects that aim to unlock the continent’s vast mineral wealth and strengthen global trade connections.
At the heart of this renaissance is the development of strategic transport corridors that are rapidly reshaping regional logistics.
In June 2025, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) secured a €250 million, 10-year loan from Italian development finance institution Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.
The funding will accelerate the development of the Lobito Corridor—a critical mineral transport network connecting Angola, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to global markets.
The loan will also support the procurement of goods and services from Italian companies for the corridor and related renewable energy initiatives.
The Lobito Corridor is among several transformative projects that will be highlighted at African Mining Week (AMW), taking place from October 1–3, 2025, in Cape Town.
The event will showcase high-impact investment opportunities across Africa’s mining and infrastructure value chains, with a strong emphasis on how rail logistics are converting landlocked, mineral-rich regions into globally competitive export hubs.
In West Africa, Guinea-Conakry marked a significant achievement in June with the completion of a 903-meter tunnel on the 650-kilometer Simandou Railway.
Scheduled to be operational by early 2026, the railway will transport up to 120 million tons of high-grade iron ore annually from the Simandou deposit, which holds an estimated 2 billion tons in reserves.
U.S. company Wabtec was awarded a $248 million contract in February to supply locomotives for the project.
At AMW 2025, a high-level panel titled “From Mines to Markets: Strengthening Trade and Connectivity for Africa’s Mineral Future” will explore how megaprojects like Simandou are reinforcing Africa’s position in global mineral supply chains.
Mauritania is also advancing its rail infrastructure. In June, the country secured a €113 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to co-finance the expansion of a key iron ore railway between Zouérat and Nouadhibou.
The €461 million project, backed by national mining company SNIM, the EIB, and private investors, is designed to enhance Mauritania’s iron ore exports to international markets.
AMW 2025 will offer a vital platform for investors to engage with emerging opportunities in Mauritania and similar fast-developing markets.
In Central Africa, Australia’s Canyon Resources acquired a 9.1% stake in Camrail, Cameroon’s national rail operator, to improve logistics for the Minim Martap Bauxite Mine.
The stake—purchased from TotalEnergies and Société d’Exploitation des Bois du Cameroun—is intended to boost rail access from the mine to port facilities, enabling the export of up to 6.4 million tons of bauxite annually.
AMW 2025 will highlight investment-ready opportunities linked to bauxite and other critical minerals driving the global energy transition.
China continues to deepen its rail infrastructure footprint across Africa. In East Africa, the China Railway Engineering Group signed a $2.15 billion agreement in February with Tanzania and Burundi to construct a 282-kilometer cross-border railway.
The line is expected to facilitate the export of up to 3 million tons of minerals annually, significantly improving regional and international market access.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the China Development Bank provided a $254.76 million grant in January to fund the Kano-Kaduna rail line, a key link between the Lagos-Ibadan and Kano-Maradi corridors.
The project will enhance the movement of minerals and energy resources across West Africa.
At AMW 2025, the China-Africa Cooperation on Minerals Roundtable will bring together public and private sector leaders to deepen bilateral ties.
Additionally, the Invest in Nigeria Infrastructure session will spotlight strategic projects like the Kano-Kaduna rail as anchors for Nigeria’s mining and logistics growth.
As nations across Africa prioritize rail modernization, these megaprojects are not only transforming local economies but also repositioning the continent as a vital player in the global mineral and energy supply chain.
African Mining Week 2025 will serve as a key venue for showcasing how infrastructure and investment are powering Africa’s mineral future.
