The Ethiopian Railways Corporation (ERC) announced that the country’s first eco-tourism railway project has reached its final construction phase, marking a milestone in Ethiopia’s railway and tourism development.

According to the Corporation, the project is the first of its kind in Ethiopia and sub-Saharan Africa, designed and built entirely by Ethiopian engineers and technicians using local resources. The initiative reflects growing national capacity in railway construction and management, as well as a commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly transport systems.

The eco-tourism railway aims to enhance access to scenic and historical destinations while promoting green mobility. Once completed, it will connect key tourist attractions to the national rail network, helping boost domestic tourism and regional economic activity. The Corporation stated that the project has already produced Ethiopia’s first locally manufactured passenger train coach, a major achievement in local industrial capability.

ERC noted that the project has prioritized local participation, training young technicians in modern railway construction and involving nearby communities in the process. The use of simple, locally available equipment has reduced costs and foreign currency expenditure, while fostering a continuous work culture within the organization.

In parallel, the Corporation is working on a separate 5 kilometer railway line linking the Geda Economic Zone, located between Adama and Mojo, to the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway. The connection is expected to support large scale industrial transport and further strengthen Ethiopia’s logistics and export capacity.

Source (including image): Ethiopian Railways Corporation's Telegram Channel