A railway linking the capitals of Senegal and Mali needs about EUR 1.2 billion (USD 1.6 billion) to strengthen the track and lure more of Mali’s mineral exports to Senegal which hopes to become a regional transportation hub.

Mr Abdoulaye Lo general director of l’Agence Nationale des Chemins de Fer du Senegal said that the 90 year old route that crosses 1,233 kilometers (766 miles) of arid, Sahelian terrain would cost EUR 1 million per kilometer to boost load capability.

He said that “A high-capacity railway line transporting iron ore and phosphates is extremely important for Senega.”

He added that the track is currently able to handle axle weights of 15 metric tones. The goal is for 27 tonnes.

According to Transrail SA, the operator, the bid to improve the route comes as Mali’s mines increase output of gold, iron ore and other minerals. The railway is also a key passage for exports of cotton from and comes as Senegal is keen to attract more goods from neighboring nations in a bid to promote the port at Dakar, operated by DP World Ltd of Dubai. Trains carried 440,000 tonnes of goods on the line in 2010.

(Sourced from Bloomberg)