Policy, Design And Implementation Of The African Railways Networks (ARN) For Continental Prosperity

Policy, Design And Implementation Of The African Railways Networks (ARN) For Continental Prosperity Professor (Dr) CLIVE E CHIRWA Distinguished Professor of Automotive & Aerospace Engineering E-mail: cchirwa@hotmail.com

TABLE OF CONTENT / TABLE DES MATIERES Current Situation Of The Rail Transport In Africa PROFESSOR CLIVE E CHIRWA Formulation of the New Pro-active Visionary Ready to Implement African Union Rail Policy The Engineering Context Infrastructure & Rolling Stock Communication The Financial Context Privatization (Concession) Government or African Union The Human Capacity Context Management & Skilled Technical Staff Think Tank Conclusions & Recommendations

Current Situation Of The Rail Transport In Africa The Governing Bodies That Facilitate Rail Transport In Africa UNION OF AFRICAN RAILWAYS (UAR) Source: Rail development in Africa Report

Current Situation Of The Rail Transport In Africa The Governing Bodies That Facilitate Rail Transport In Africa UNION OF AFRICAN RAILWAYS (UAR) AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS REGIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES SPECIALIZED BODIES AT REGIONAL AND CONTINENTAL LEVEL Source: Rail development in Africa Report

Current Situation Of The Rail Transport In Africa The Governing Bodies That Facilitate Rail Transport In Africa UNION OF AFRICAN RAILWAYS (UAR) These should be the CONCRETE Pillars to UAR AFRICAN GOVERNMENTS REGIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES SPECIALIZED BODIES AT REGIONAL AND CONTINENTAL LEVEL Source: Rail development in Africa Report

Current Situation Of The Rail Transport In Africa The Governing Bodies That Facilitate Rail Transport In Africa AS A RESULT 1908 2015 Same maintenance method for 107 years Source: bbc, Herald, muvitv

Current Situation Of The Rail Transport In Africa The Governing Bodies That Facilitate Rail Transport In Africa AS A RESULT 1908 2015 107 YEARS LATER STILL TRAVELLING AT 20KM/HR 40 KM/HR SPEED THE ENTIRE APPROACH TO RAIL TRANSPORT SUSTAINABILITY HAS BEEN MEDIOCRE, NOT THOUGHT THROUGH DELAPILATED INFRASTRUCTURE & ROLLING STOCK POOR MANAGEMENT SKILLS Source: bbc, Herald, muvitv

Current Situation Of The Rail Transport In Africa Statistics for Africa LAND SURFACE 29.6 MILLION SQUARE Km RAIL GAUGE COVERAGE (%) STANDARD = 14% NARROW ENGLISH (CAPE) = 61.3% FRENCH METRE = 19.2% NARROW = 5.5% TOTAL RAILINE NETWORK 83, 987Km COUNTRIES WITHOUT RAIL TRANSPORT 14 RAIL COVERAGE AFRICA = 2.7 KM/1000 SQUARE KM EUROPE = 400 KM/1000 SQAURE KM Source: Bullock 2009

Current Situation Of The Rail Transport In Africa TO REACH HERE AFRICA PERFORMANCE EXTREMELY POOR WILL NEED 200 YEARS 12% IF WE Derailment DO NOT rate on rail ACCELERATE network of 83,987 OUR km COMMITMENT Low quality of TO service RAIL (Freight & Passengers) TRANSPORT Low equipment availability THROUGH CALIBRATED (locomotives/wagons) POLICIES AND RIGHT Lack of maintenance policy IMPLEMENTATION Lack of skilled personnel STRATEGIES Source: Bullock 2009

Formulation of the New Pro-Active Visionary Ready to Implement African Union Rail Policy Pro-Active Vision & Policy For Africa to develop its rail transport infrastructure it should: Embrace a centralised form of development with directives from the master plan at the African Union H/Q The master plan under new African Railways Networks (ARN) must be drawn by highly qualified technocrats who deliver based on communal outputs and not on political influence The European and other developed countries cycle of rail transport development done by individual countries in the 18 Th, 19 th and 20 th Centuries cannot be used today. Africa has got to be innovative in building its rail infrastructure If it has to meet tomorrow s prosperity The funding of such projects should be organised by the African Union and its affiliate banks such as the AfDB. NO TO NGO DONATIONS (THROW AWAY THAT BEGGERS CHALICE) Source: Rail development in Africa Report 2006

Infrastructure Engineering Context CHALLENGES FOR THE AU The current Railway infrastructure Across Africa is: Too fragmented and uncoordinated 80% old dilapidated and require total replacement Regulations and constructions rules must be made clear is rail weighting, 40, 45, 55, 60, 80 and 90kg The rail gauge for all new rail constructions must be standardised to reduce waste. Currently the Cape is the most wide spread (1067). But the most efficient railway gauge for high loading that will suite Africa is 1435 mm The steel quality must be improved for Africa. The current steel was designed for Cold regions and brought to Africa without further testing The rail connections must not be continuous in AFRICA. These cause a lot of warping and speeds cannot be increased on warped rails Communication is extremely poor 1) A VISION FOR AFRICA ON INFRASTRUCTURE MUST BE FORMULATED 2) MAKE AFRICA S OWN STEEL FOR RAILS AND MANUFACTURE AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS/COUNTRIES THAT ARE DEDICATED Source: Rail development in Africa Report 2006

Infrastructure Engineering Context CHALLENGES FOR THE AU The current set-up in infrastructure Across Africa is composed of: National (Run by parastatals/governments or Concessions) Association (e.g SARA South African Railway Association) Sub-regional divided as follows: North African Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Sudan, Tunisia West African Benin-Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo Central African Cameron, Congo, Gabon, Chad East African Djibouti-Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda South Region Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe NOTE: Concessions/Privatisations have failed in many parts THE MANAGEMENT OF SUB-REGIONS HAVE BEEN DIVIDED BASED ON POLITICAL AFFILIATION RATHER THAN BUSINESS ACUMEN Source: Bullock 2009

Infrastructure Engineering Context CHALLENGES FOR THE AU The current set-up in infrastructure Across Africa is composed of: National (Run by parastatals/governments WE or Concessions) NEED Association (e.g SARA South African Railway Association) Sub-regional divided as follows: North African Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Sudan, NEW Tunisia THINKING West African Benin-Niger, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo Central African Cameron, Congo, Gabon, Chad East African NEW Djibouti-Ethiopia, Kenya, SOLUTIONS Tanzania, Uganda South Region Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe Concessions/Privatisations have failed in many parts THE MANAGEMENT SUB-REGIONS HAVE BEEN DIVIDED BASED ON POLITICAL AFFILIATION RATHER THAN BUSINESS ACUMEN Source: Bullock 2009

Infrastructure Engineering Context SOLUTIONS FOR THE AU The NEW PROPOSAL set-up in infrastructure Development and Management Across Africa: Must not be political affiliations (Current set-up) Must be economical oriented ventures of mutual benefit and to the benefit of Africa Must eradicate the colonial set-up of going to ports but must go to Value-Addition Industries using Africa s natural resources The NEW PROPOSAL set-up in infrastructure Development and Management Across Africa is the CLUSTER SYSTEM that: Should have Well defined HUBS that will run the regional networks in order to provide efficiency and value for money Should have VEINS that connect to other hubs to provide effectiveness of the entire African Railways Networks (ARN) Source: Rail development in Africa Report 2006

Engineering Context SOLUTIONS FOR THE AU The NEW PROPOSED CLUSTER SYSTEM will be divided into: North & North Western Cluster North & North Eastern Cluster Central Cluster Eastern Cluster Southern Cluster THE CLUSTER SYSTEM FORMATION Each cluster has a defined calibrated network controlled and managed from the Hub The network in a cluster is constructed using modular method For quick implementation at a greatly reduced cost Each cluster is designed to provide maximum economic benefit of the region and Africa Each hub must provide social mobility to citizens in conditions fit for humans VEINS CONNECTING THE CLUSTER SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE Each sub-region is connected by VEINS to economic zones of the other clusters based on industrialisation strategy for Africa NORTH & NORTH WESTERN CLUSTER CENTRAL CLUSTER SOUTHERN CLUSTER Modified by Prof Clive Chirwa 2015 NORTH & NORTH EASTERN CLUSTER EASTERN CLUSTER HUB

Rolling Stock Engineering Context CHALLENGES FOR THE AU The current Railway Rolling Stock Across Africa is: Too old with much of it cannibalised or not fit for purpose Still maintening the speed of a steamer rather than meeting modern Requirements that dictate medium to high speed travel SOLUTIONS FOR THE AU The NEW PROPOSAL set-up in Rolling Stock across Africa: Must be standardised to reduce wasting resources Must be manufactured in Africa at AU allocated factories Must be in parts electrified in those regions that have no oil Must be conducive to carry people in decent environment A VISION FOR AFRICA ON ROLLING STOCK MUST BE FORMULATED Source: Rail development in Africa Report

Engineering Context Rolling Stock, Infrastructure design & manufacture in Africa Designed by Professor Clive Chirwa, Peter Matthews & Associates Designed by Professor Clive Chirwa, Peter Matthews & Associates Designed by Professor Clive Chirwa, Peter Matthews & Associates Source: Clavel Group www.procclab.com

Financial context Source of Funding For Projects CURRENT GOVERNMENT FINANCING African governments have very little liquidity money and depend mostly on borrowing. To make sure they are collective, Governments need to organize themselves in terms of balancing revenue and expenditure Governments must realistically prepare their budgets. They should not include Donor money since it is a bonus not an income NEW PROPOSED GOVERNMENT FINANCING Borrowing for investment is acceptable. But do not exceed the repay capability, despite that the GDP allows it. Create Friendship Banking. This works on individuals and it will work on Nations that come together contribute lump sums every month to a piggy bank. The total collection is given to one member for expenditure Collect what is due to you. TAXES from the investors are not collected in expected quantities. The African Union through its banking systems to allocate money to projects

Financial context Source of Funding For Projects CURRENT PRIVATE FINANCING Private Investment is welcomed to some extent not as a bedrock Not all Private concessions have worked. Many have failed due to finance in mainly maintenance of the infrastructure and Rolling Stock Not all Public Private Partnerships (PPP) have worked. For every 1 implemented PPP a 1000 remain in the boardrooms. NEW PROPOSED PRIVATE FINANCING If borrowing to invest is considered, The African Union (AU) should take the front driver seat. If this is coordinated properly it will save Africa Trillions of Dollars in wastage, repeatability, and financial mis-management. The AU should use its banking system to REALLY support African rail transport development. The AU should create a financial Think-Tank for accurate budgeting. If Nations do it themselves and flout the rules a penalty will be imposed. AU should collect levy from every ton of raw material that travels outside Africa. Value Addition should be done in Africa.

Human Capacity Context Management and Skilled Technical staff MANAGEMENT & TECHNICAL STAFF The Management of railways enterprises in 85% of Nations is run by political supporters. A new entrant is always hounded out despite being qualified The Management is poorly trained and of very low education. Many cannot understand the business and how it works in modern arena. Extensive training is needed and nepotism should be eradicated Have qualified technical staff to maintain the business. Every technical staff must be skilled and ready for the job THINK TANK A Think Tank must be built by AU to do the following in Rail Transport: Be the source of knowledge for rail matters. Carry out research and development for Africa so that every equipment used is fit for purpose in Africa Create a design bureau where African infrastructure, Rolling Stock & Communication technologies are developed Prepare the highest calibre of Engineers, Scientists, Managers, Economists, etc. For Rail efficiency

Conclusions and Recommendations Conclusions INFRASTRUCTURE & ROLLING STOCK The Infrastructure is 10% average good and 90% dilapidated NOT-FIT-FOR-PURPOSE The Communication is many railways networks are none existent Too many use of gauges and standardisation is needed To many Rail weighting and Standardisation is needed Railway to port must end, and railway to industry for the development of Africa is needed FINANCE AU must do more to centralise expenditure on transport systems. That way countries will save colossal amount of money PPP must be carefully structured so that implementation becomes easier Railways CANNOT be run by private companies on the scale of a Nation. These are Government s and AU s own babies HUMAN CAPACITY A Think Tank similar to NASA, EUROSPECIAL, etc. must be formed to maximise potential Technical staff must be trained at specialised Railway Universities and Colleges located in designated Nations Managers should always have a background of the railways Technical end and managerial skills Engineers MUST be able to design and manufacture new railway lines and new rolling Stocks Source: ethiogrio

Conclusions and Recommendations Recommendations AU to create a REAL African Railways Networks (ARN) as a Commission to: Coordinate all Railways activities in Africa. This will accelerate development as we build our own infrastructure in new technology of Modular construction Spearhead the formulations of standards, rules and policies Create a Think Tank for total African solution Streamline borrowing so that projects are efficiently executed based on African design and construction methods that will guarantee quality Organise the finances and create a balanced borrowing system that is low cost through banks such as AfDB Build Human Capacity to develop sustainable African businesses and industries that will Add-Value to Raw Materials. Industrial Clusters to be built based on the Industrialisation Strategy for Africa. For example copper can move by rail from Zambia to South Africa as finished sub- assembly products to be used in electronic equipment; Cocoa will move by rail from Ivory Coast to Ethiopia to make Chocolates. NO MORE RAW MATERIALS GOING OUT OF AFRICA EVERYTHING SUGGESTED HERE IS SIMPLE AFRICA CAN DO IT WITH ITS OWN RECOURCES MANPOWER AND ENGINUITY An Engineer Chews Big Chunks Of Problems & Spits Real Practical Solutions Professor Clive E Chirwa, 2000