African Royal Group of Companies Revives Cape-Cairo Rail Project
Southern African Railways Association Conference
The African Royal Group of Companies is spearheading the resurrection of the Cape-Cairo Rail Project, an ambitious 19th Century interregional railway system plan which was never completed. This was announced during the ongoing 2024 Rail Conference and Exhibition in Johannesburg, where the conglomerate’s investment director, His Imperial Highness (HIH) Prince Estifanos Matewos, expressed optimism about the project’s potential to boost trade, integration, and economic growth across the continent. “We are optimistic that the Cape to Cairo Railway will not only boost trade and integration but also reduce logistics costs for governments and stimulate economic growth across the continent,” stated Prince Estifanos.
He emphasized the importance of welcoming investment to enhance rail systems across Africa, revealing that major financial institutions, including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM), have expressed strong interest in funding the railway sector.
The Johannesburg-based firm has been central in securing the necessary agreements to propel the project forward. They have signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with key railway operators across the continent and facilitated partnerships between regional railway operators and a diverse array of investors and financiers, drawing support from both international corporations and continental financial institutions.
The ambitious colonial era initiative aimed to create a rail trade route stretching from the southern tip of Africa to the northern reaches. Parts of the Cape to Cairo railway system were built and are still in operation today, forming segments of national railway systems in countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, and Egypt. is set to transform Africa’s transportation landscape by reducing reliance on road transport, lowering carbon emissions, decreasing road traffic accidents, and preserving road infrastructure.
The investment will initially launch in Southern Africa, with plans to expand across the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) by December. “The investment will commence in Southern Africa, with plans to expand throughout the other Regional Economic Communities by December,” confirmed Prince Estifanos.
The African Royal Group of Companies, through its trade and investment arm, the Africa Trade and Investment Center, is at the forefront of fostering bilateral trade, investment, and cooperation in infrastructure development across Africa, with a particular focus on the Cairo-Cape Town Corridor project. This strategic initiative is expected to not only remove barriers to trade and integration but also create millions of jobs across the continent.
