A Journey from Dakar to Diamniadio Aboard Senegal’s New High-speed Train Line

Senegal is emerging and its landscape is quickly changing. The country has a new state-of-the-art football stadium, an international airport, scores of wind and solar plants, and a gigantic Museum of Black Civilisations, which President Macky Sall says will anchor Senegal’s young population to their history. Senegal’s infrastructure development strategy is being paid for by an increasingly diversified economy and loans from international partners eager to back an African government implementing a long-term vision in a West Africa once again beset by military coups. The first phase of the line, which was inaugurated in December 2021, serves 13 stations from Dakar to Diamniadio. The second stage, due to be completed next year, will link Diamniadio to Blaise Diagne International Airport, 19km away. Senegal’s government claims traffic jams cost Dakar €152m per year, and by linking the TER stations with express buses, many of Dakar’s 3m plus inhabitants have the beginnings of a modern transport network.

SOURCE: AFRICAN BUSINESS