The African Development Bank Group has signed a letter of intent with Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to collaborate on expanding Africa’s railway networks and enhancing regional economic integration. The agreement was signed during the first African-European Industry Dialogue on Railways, an event held as part of the InnoTrans International Transport Technology Exhibition. Mike Salawou, director of the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department at the Bank Group, and Michael Krake, deputy director general of the BMZ, signed the document. The dialogue was organized by the German Agency for International Cooperation for Development (GIZ), the German railway company Deutsche Bahn, and the European Union's "Global Gateway" initiative. The partnership aims to address several key areas, including reducing transport costs, improving cross-border interoperability, promoting low-emission transport solutions, and fostering sustainable transport policies. It also focuses on developing a skilled local workforce in the railway sector through training, vocational education, and job creation. The collaboration will begin with a joint feasibility study for an African Railway Skills Centre, which GIZ will implement. The center is expected to open in October 2026 and will combine innovation and training to modernize and expand Africa’s railway networks. In his opening speech, Salawou highlighted several major railway projects supported by the African Development Bank, including the Lobito corridor, the standard gauge railway program in East Africa, the Nacala corridor, the North-South railway corridor in Algeria, the high-speed rail network in Morocco, and urban rail projects in Senegal and Nigeria. Africa’s railway network currently accounts for only 8 to 10 percent of the global network, but the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is increasing demand for cross-border transport of goods and passengers across a market of over 1.4 billion people. Salawou outlined five key priorities for the sector: a continental market driven by the AfCFTA, reforms promoting a shift in transport modes, standardized interoperability, financing that attracts private capital, and the skills needed to operate the networks effectively. Krake emphasized the BMZ’s long-term commitment to Africa’s development, stating that the ministry is dedicated to working with African partners to strengthen regional connectivity and support sustainable economic growth. He noted that the collaboration with the African Development Bank Group would focus on advancing interoperability, skills development, and other priorities that contribute to a stronger railway sector. Salawou concluded by urging key stakeholders—including African governments, railway authorities, and European industry players—to take action. He called for clear vision, credible studies, swift reforms, and regulatory security from African governments, while European partners should provide long-term collaboration, local content, and skills transfer. Donors, he added, should be involved from the early stages of planning. The Bank Group will support these efforts through guarantees, blended financing, and technical assistance. In other news, Gabon has launched ProxiGab, a program designed to make financing more accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises. Tanzania is projected to achieve an economic growth rate of 6.1% in 2026, according to the World Bank. Nobel Prize winner Philippe Aghion has recommended strategies focused on innovation, competition, and employment for Africa’s development. Meanwhile, the agrofood sector is seeing increased collaboration between Indonesia and Africa, particularly around the palm oil industry. At the Namur Festival, African cinema is emerging as a significant force in Francophone film. In Zambia, the town of Livingstone is revealing hidden treasures, including a museum train, colonial heritage sites, and an airport.