South Africa runs Africa’s longest rail network at 20,986km, while Nigeria trails 9th with 3,798km

Key Takeaways

South Africa leads the continent with a vast 20,986km rail network, nearly triple the size of Sudan’s, the second-largest.
Nigeria’s rail infrastructure measures 3,798km, ranking it behind Kenya (3,819km) and DR Congo (4,007km).
North African countries like Egypt and Algeria maintain significant rail mileage, exceeding 4,000km each.
Southern Africa dominates the top five, with Mozambique and Zimbabwe also featuring prominently.

South Africa leads Africa’s railway landscape with a vast 20,986km network, five times longer than Nigeria’s 3,798km, which ranks ninth on the continent. North and East African nations like Egypt (5,085km), Kenya (3,819km), and Sudan (7,251km) also feature prominently, reflecting stronger historical and infrastructural investments in rail transport. Notably, DR Congo, with 4,007km, edges out Nigeria, despite the former's challenging terrain and conflict history.

Source:

The African Exponent

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Period:

January 2025

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