The new railway line connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti to start early 2016

Addis Ababa – The new railway line connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti will open starting early 2016 the head of the Ethiopian Railways told the press.

The 450-mile line which is being built by China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and China Civil Engineering Construction (CCECC) at a cost of $4 billion is one of the major projects towards creating new manufacturing industries in Ethiopia.

The project is also part of Ethiopia’s plan of constructing around 5,000 km of new lines across the country by 2020.

Getachew Betru, Chief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Railways Corporation, told the press “By October 2015, a considerable portion of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti project will be completed.” He added “We will start in early 2016.”

He further noted “It is a game-changer for us…It will be one of the most vibrant economic corridors in the world.”

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs