The Chinese-built Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway marked six years of successful commercial operation on Friday, with China officially concluding its operational and maintenance services.
At a ceremony in Addis Ababa, the Chinese team announced the completion of its role in the railway's operation and maintenance. The Ethio-Djibouti Standard Gauge Railway Share Company will now assume full responsibility for the Chinese-built railway.
"In the past ten years, the Belt and Road Initiative has been one of the main forces promoting the vigorous development of Ethiopia's infrastructure construction and manufacturing industry," said Tagesse Chafo, Speaker of the Ethiopian Parliament.
Chafo added that "it has also created a large number of job opportunities for Ethiopian youth. In this regard, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, built by China, has become a landmark large-scale project of the Belt and Road Initiative."
This 752.7 kilometer standard gauge railway, connecting landlocked Ethiopia with Red Sea ports in Djibouti, has significantly impacted the region.
It has slashed freight transportation time from over three days to less than 20 hours, reduced costs by at least a third, and provided Ethiopia with vital access to maritime trade.
"Since the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway commenced operation, transportation volume at Djibouti's ports have increased about 20 percent," said Hassan Houmed, Djibouti's Minister of Infrastructure and Transport.
Since its launch in January 2018, the railway has witnessed the passage of approximately 2,500 passenger trains and 7,700 freight trains, transporting 9.5 million tonnes of goods.