750 km of modern, electrified railways were laid between the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa and Djibouti, a country situated in the red sea cost.

The project, realized in common with China, is intended to create new branches of manufacturing, transportation and the further simplification of Ethiopia’s access to the sea.

The railway is expected to reduce the time for the journey to 10 hours. Ethiopia is planning to attach 5000 km of new railways working over the whole country up to 2020.

This path is considered an integral part of the Trans African railways network; this allows Ethiopia to stay in touch with the neighboring countries. This fact, in its turn, will allow reducing significantly the costs for the transportation, and, relatively, reducing the time for it. The electrified project is eco-friendly and can replace the diesel line Addis Ababa – Djibouti.

Ethiopian Railway Corporation (ERC) announced that the project costed 4 billion USD. The Chinese EXIM bank gave 70% of that sum; the last 30% were given by the government of Ethiopia.

With the active assistance of China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC), the construction was held in two stages.

ERC project manager, which is also the engineer, Mecconen Getachew, said that the preparation of civil railway specialists, mechanical engineers and electrical engineers for the railway transport is held in the universities of Russia, China, and Ethiopia. Those specialists will soon start working together with the Chinese engineers and will be able to get a priceless experience; this will allow them to find enough opportunities in order to gain independence.

Trying to save its economy, which increases by 8% and more annually, a nation of 96 million of population is attempting to become the African center of production, providing the investors with transport, working force and cheap electricity.