The African Development Bank (AfDB) and DB Engineering & Consulting have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of railway infrastructure in Africa.

On May 6, a delegation from the AfDB Group met with DB Engineering & Consulting, the engineering and consulting division of the German railway company Deutsche Bahn. Discussions focused on how the development of technical skills and training programs in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) can support the modernization of Africa’s railway infrastructure, as well as the railway sector on the African continent.

The representatives also visited the DB Railway Academy in Potsdam, one of the world’s leading railway training centers, which offers over 2,500 courses and trains approximately 250,000 participants annually.

An important step in the cooperation is the signing of a Letter of Intent between the AfDB and DB Engineering & Consulting, which will establish the framework for a feasibility study on the establishment of an African Railway Competence Center. This center is intended to become a regional hub for innovation, training, and the development of expertise in the railway sector, supporting the expansion and modernization of Africa’s transport infrastructure.

The parties involved are analyzing several possible institutional models—decentralized, cooperative, or centralized—to identify the most effective structure for the continent.

“This partnership marks an important milestone for the railway sector in Africa. By leveraging Deutsche Bahn’s expertise and experience, we are laying the groundwork for a center that will develop local capacities, improve technical skills, and support sustainable and efficient railway systems across the continent. Such strategic collaborations are essential to spark a skills revolution across the continent and to build resilient infrastructure in Africa,” said Mike Salawou, Director of the AfDB’s Infrastructure and Urban Development Department.

Following the signing of the agreement, the delegation continued discussions with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), which reaffirmed its support through the implementing agency GIZ.

The delegation also held meetings with other key German institutions, including the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), and the development bank KfW IPEX-Bank. Discussions focused on the development of regional economic corridors, supply chains for critical minerals and electric vehicles, as well as support for small and medium-sized enterprises involved in infrastructure projects.

The two sides also explored co-financing opportunities for major infrastructure projects in Africa, including the Lobito railway corridor, the Abidjan–Lagos highway, the Uganda–Kenya railway, and Bishoftu International Airport in Ethiopia. The focus was on developing sustainable projects capable of improving regional connectivity and economic integration.

As part of the mission, the delegation also visited the EUREF Campus in Berlin, where it examined innovative models of urban development, clean energy solutions, and smart mobility concepts, in line with sustainable transport objectives.

Representatives from DB Engineering & Consulting emphasized the importance of building local expertise for the development of sustainable and modern railway systems, while the BMZ reiterated its support for Africa’s economic and social development, in accordance with international climate goals.

It should be noted that at the end of last year, the AfDB delegation held extensive discussions with several government institutions and organizations involved in transport infrastructure and digital connectivity.