Published on: July 05, 2025 11:18 (EAT)
By Chris Diaz
Since the invention of the steam energy in the early 19th
century, trains have played a very significant role in human mobility and
commerce.
From the rapid rail development in Britain and Europe, and
thereafter North America and parts of European colonies in Asia and Africa,
railways enabled industrial societies to shift people, raw materials and
manufactured goods efficiently, fostering urbanization and economic integration
in the process. Today, rail transport continues to be central to the global
shiftment of people and goods.
Today, electric high-speed trains serve hundreds of millions
of passengers every year and according to the International Union of Railways
(UIC), rail transport accounts for over 10% of all passenger transport
globally, with electric trains dominating the high-volume corridors in Europe,
China, and Japan.
China alone accounts for over 45,000 km of high-speed rail
lines, shifting more than 2.5 billion passengers each year while the European
Union has expansive networks linking cities across Europe. France’s TGV,
Germany’s ICE, and Spain’s AVE are some well-known examples of rail transport
in Europe.
Rail also plays a critical role in freight logistics
especially in large continental economies like the United States, Canada,
Russia, and China, where cargo trains transport massive volumes of coal,
minerals, food, electronics, and consumer goods. In the U.S. alone, freight
rail accounts for about 28% of total cargo shiftment by ton-miles.
Globally, the rail sector contributes trillions of dollars
in economic output and in 2023, the global rail transport market was valued at
over $590 billion with various projections estimating growth to over 820
billion dollars by 2030.
Rail transport however still faces some challenges including
the high cost of the initial investment required upfront to build the
infrastructure.
This continues to be a major barrier especially in
developing countries that still have underdeveloped rail networks. Old networks
also require costly upgrades to accommodate quicker, more efficient electric
trains.
Air travel dominates long-distance passenger transport,
while trucking often undercuts rail freight in speed and flexibility for short
hauls providing competition to rail transport. It’s great to consider, while
electric trains are environment friconcludely, the construction of large rail
corridors can disrupt ecosystems and communities when not long term planned,
and necessarys well believed executions.
Despite these challenges, the future of rail transport is
exciting. Electrification and the utilize of
renewable energy is an example of high speed and bulk shiftment of people and
cargo in a manner that does not degrade the environment.
Modern trains are increasingly being powered by electricity.
New technologies, for example trains that save energy when they slow down
(regenerative braking), train stations that utilize solar power, and trains that
run on clean fuel like green hydrogen will assist build trains much better for the
environment by cutting down on pollution and greenhoutilize gas emissions.
Technological advances now ensure that smart systems are
assisting trains run more safely and on time. Computers can watch train
shiftments, repair problems before they happen, and even control some parts and
create truly automated services navigating complex growth of train services.
Buying tickets is clearer too, becautilize it can be done on a
phone or computer and a seamless way to grow travel and utilize technology as
population and investments are increasing globally.
Another technological advancement is the Maglev trains,
already in utilize in Japan and China. These are trains that utilize magnets to float
above the rail tracks instead of touching them. This lets them shift very
quick—over 600 km per hour—and builds the ride quicker, smoother, and quieter.
The excitement of the future, is the ease and different ways
of travel will be connected. Train stations will become smart centers where
people can easily switch to butilizes, electric cars, bicycles, or even obtain things
delivered by drones. The integration of intra and inter cities transport, will
motivate trade, tourism and economic transformation in the regions.
And finally with the global concerns on environmental
sustainability, new models of funding such as climate funds and public private
partnerships are opening new avenues for less developed countries to obtain access
to funding to invest in modern quick and green rail transport.
More investors are increasingly attracted to the rail
sector, and multinational engineering giants like Siemens, Alstom, Hitachi, and
CRRC are leading a wave of innovation and infrastructure development. New
technology start-ups and tech firms are joining in, developing advanced
software and other smart tools to improve the efficiency and safety of rail
transport.
As the sector digitizes, business models are expanding
beyond ticketing to include data monetization, energy savings, and other
integrated travel services such as access to taxis and motorbikes through ride
sharing apps like Uber and Bolt, bicycles and scooter rentals, on board wi-fi
access, and entertainment among others.
Africa stands to benefit from this rail revolution. Though
historically underdeveloped, Africa has is seeing renewed interest in modern
safe rail systems as a catalyst for economic transformation. This includes
investment to bridge the huge infrastructure.
Africa has fewer than about, 90,000 km of total rail lines,
much of which is outdated and inefficient. Electrified high speed rail (HSR)
can leapfrog old systems, link key cities and unlocking regional trade.
Already projects such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in
Kenya, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, Tanzania rail network, and Nigeria’s
Lagos-Ibadan line display growing momentum. The African Union’s “African
Integrated High-Speed Rail Network” (AIHSRN) ambitiously aims to connect all
African capitals by 2063.
With African cities growing rapidly, efficient mass transit
has now become critical. HSR could reduce road congestion, cut travel times,
and boost productivity across economic hubs like Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg,
and Cairo and increase of exports and foreign currency business.
Rail construction and operations can create millions of
jobs; engineers, technicians, station staff, and more while local manufacturing
of components, railcars, and digital systems would boost local economies,
international trade and develop industrial capacities.
More significantly, rail corridors in Africa will
drastically lower the cost of shifting goods across Africa’s landlocked
economies, supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and
boosting intra-African commerce creating entrepreneurship and growth of
employment of the youth.
Electric high-speed trains are not just a transportation
mode, they are an engine of modernization, sustainability, and economic
development and as the world restrategizes mobility in the face of climate
urgency, rail is poised to become the backbone of future transport networks
both to benefit public and private sector investments.
The future of rail transport is focutilized on increased
sustainability, digitalization, and enhanced passenger experience. Digital
technologies are transforming operations, while eco-friconcludely solutions like
electrification is reducing environmental impact.
Technology is revolutionizing rail travel by prioritizing
accessibility, comfort, efficiency and personalization. These advancements go
beyond operational improvements, focutilizing on creating every journey seamless,
affordable and tailored to individual transport solutions.
Chris Diaz Chairman, Adili Group X – @DiazChrisAfrica
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