Alstom’s Role in Transforming Africa’s Rail Networks: Insights from Sacha Parneix, VP Commercial Africa, Middle East and Central Asia
During Alstom’s InnoTrans press tour, Phillippa Dean, Editor of Railways Africa Magazine, had the opportunity to interview Sacha Parneix, Vice President for Commercial Activities at Alstom, covering Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. Sacha discussed Alstom’s extensive operations across Africa, detailing how the company is driving modernisation, localisation and sustainable rail solutions throughout the continent.
Africa’s Growing Demand for Mobility
Sacha Parneix emphasised that one of the key factors driving rail development in Africa is the continent’s increasing population, which is leading to greater demand for mobility, both for people and goods. “There is a very strong demand for modern, green technologies to move people and goods around. Indeed, by 2050, Africa’s population is expected to nearly double to 2.5 billion, with one in four people globally being African,” he said.
This growing need is a common challenge across East, West, North and Southern Africa.
However, African nations also face hurdles, including limited experience in structuring railway infrastructure projects. With a presence in nine countries, six industrial plants, and a centre of excellence for signalling systems, power supply and maintenance workshops, Alstom is deeply rooted in Africa’s rail ecosystem: “Financing and localisation are critical elements,” Sacha noted.
He highlighted Alstom’s commitment to local partnerships, knowledge transfer and local skills development empowering local communities and contributing to Africa’s long-term sustainable growth.
North Africa: Major Projects in Morocco and Egypt
Alstom has been a key player in North Africa’s rail expansion. Sacha, stated, “We are delighted to have been selected as the preferred bidder by ONCF for the high-speed train tender. The latest generation of the Avelia Horizon offers the most competitive life-cycle cost per seat on the market today and elevates the passenger experience. As the tender process is still ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
Sacha pointed out that Alstom’s contributions in Morocco extend beyond rolling stock and infrastructure. “We take pride in our significant contributions to the advancement of the railway network, the economic development of the nation, and its positioning as a competitive industrial hub on the global stage,” he explained. “Since 2020, we have invested €30 million to enhance industrial activities in Morocco. Notably, our facility in Fez is one of only two Alstom-owned cabling plants globally, equipping over 20 worldwide projects per year. In 2022, we established a new production line to enhance the capability for manufacturing onboard transformers.”
In Egypt, Alstom is playing a significant role in the modernisation of the urban network. connecting the old city to the new capital with a brand-new 100km monorail line. The company is also actively engaged in delivering modern rolling stock for Cairo Metro Line 1, further enhancing urban mobility in the region; Alstom’s trains are designed for exceptional comfort, featuring wider corridors, a designated women’s area, and the capacity to accommodate 2,580 passengers during peak hours. Additionally, they are designed with sustainability in mind, with up to 98% of their components being recyclable.
Egypt’s mainline network, which stretches thousands of kilometres, is undergoing a major transformation, with Alstom providing essential signalling upgrades to increase safety and reliability.
It would be remiss to talk about Egypt without highlighting that the Monorail is currently undergoing testing. The rolling stock is now mobile, moving between several stations, which is always a positive indicator as the project transitions from static testing to dynamic and real-life testing. This progression signals that the infrastructure has been thoroughly tested, allowing the full system integration tests to begin. “There is considerable excitement as the people of Egypt can see the Monorail moving through the city, and they are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to use the system,” notes Sacha.
West Africa: Building Côte d’Ivoire’s First Metro
In West Africa, Alstom will provide the Côte d’Ivoire’s first metro line in Abidjan. Sacha shared that the project has moved into the active construction phase, with Alstom providing a modern metro system designed to optimise passenger safety and comfort. “It’s a very modern metro, similar to the new lines in Paris,” he said. Indeed, the Abidjan Metro Project will diversify transportation options in the capital, making it easier for residents to navigate the city with a low carbon footprint. It also aims to reduce the cost of living for underserved communities on the outskirts of Abidjan by providing affordable transit options. With a target capacity of 500,000 passengers per day, the metro is set to significantly improve daily commuting for the people of Abidjan.
East Africa: Rail Expansion in Tanzania
Alstom’s presence in East Africa is expanding, particularly in Tanzania, where the company is providing the signalling system for a new railway line from the port of Dar es Salaam to the port of Mwanza on the shore of Lake Victoria, and from there it could be extended to neighbouring countries of Burundi and Rwanda. This development is part of Tanzania’s broader efforts to strengthen its rail infrastructure and improve regional connectivity.
Senegal
In Senegal, Alstom has supplied commuter trains for Dakar’s suburban rail system, which is now commercially operational. Sacha mentioned that while Phase 2 of the project is being planned, the technology for the initial fleet has since been sold to a third party due to Alstom’s shift away from diesel products in favour of cleaner, full-electric solutions.
Southern Africa: Modernising South Africa’s Rail System
South Africa remains a key focus for Alstom, with major opportunities in the country’s rail sector. Sacha highlighted the importance of modernising existing assets, especially Transnet’s rail network, which is critical for the country’s mining exports. Alstom is actively partnering with Transnet to bring their locomotive fleet back to full operation and maximise availability.
Alstom is also playing a pivotal role in delivering new, locally manufactured trains for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). “These are South African-made trains, with thousands of South Africans involved in their production. It’s a real localisation effort,” Sacha emphasised. A lot of investment has been made in transferring the know-how. The Gibela joint venture factory is working at a very impressive speed and is considered one of the best factories of Alstom in the world.
The company is also involved in the preventative, corrective and overall maintenance of the Gautrain system in Johannesburg and is hopeful of continuing its role in the next 15-year concession period. “We started 15 years ago to make Gautrain the backbone of Gauteng province, and it remains one of the key assets deserving our focus to expand its full potential,” Sacha said.
Looking to the future, Sacha mentioned the potential for high-speed connections in South Africa, such as a link between Johannesburg and Durban. He also highlighted the growing discussions around shifting urban transport away from private cars to safe, efficient mass transit systems like metros, tramways, and monorails, which could significantly transform South African cities, much like they have done elsewhere in the world.
Looking Ahead: Revolutionising African Mobility
As Africa continues to develop its rail infrastructure, Alstom remains at the forefront of the industry, providing modern, sustainable solutions. From high-speed trains in Morocco to urban solutions in Egypt and commuter rail systems in South Africa, the company is committed to enhancing mobility across the continent.
Sacha also noted that Alstom is keen on playing a role in the broader transformation of African cities by promoting mass transport solutions like metro systems and tramways. “We want to help create cities where people can move around easily without relying on cars, and we believe rail can be a key backbone of that transformation,” he said.
As Africa’s rail sector grows, Alstom’s focus on localisation, green technology, and long-term partnerships ensures that it will remain a crucial player in the continent’s smart mobility future.
