TARC Awareness in SSA Grows As First Countries Are Ready to Sign MoU, DRC in the Lead

TARC to connect all the capital cities of SSA with High Speed Rail (HSR)

Accra, Ghana//-There has been an increased awareness of Trans Africa Railway Corporation (TARC) project among almost all the countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region.

To this end, the first seven countries-Ghana, Zambia, Gabon, Somalia, Burundi, South Sudan, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are ready to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the TARC, while the DRC is leading the race to sign the MoU agreement out of the 32 countries.

Phases

The TARC Organizational Long-Term Development document chanced upon by African Eye Report revealed that the four possible development phases of TARC would run for 45-60 years.

The first development phase-TARC Program/Project which has already set in motion involves long lasting government approvals, construction, private investment, and strategic partners.

The second phase-operation which is expected to last from 2027-2055 will enhance phase 1, Enhance TARC Phase 2 covering East Africa to Asia/China belt, and Phase 3 covering the North Africa and EU.

While the phase 3 which is built, operate, and transfer (BOT) will run from 2056-2063 will involve open competition in each country for railway operation, further innovative solutions, and connection of EU and Asia.

The fourth phase called ‘TARC Railway Regulator’ is expected to build market and railway operation regulations under African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), coordinate with AU/EU and security agencies across the project countries.

From TARC Program to Operation (DBFOM) to an open African Railway Market (BOT) and finally to an African Union (AU) Oversight and Regulatory Body for the AfCFTA in 2064 forms part of the AU Agenda 2063.

Connect all capital cities

Explained further the TARC Program Management, and interim CEO TARC Ltd, Christian R. Gutzwiller, said that the TARC would connect all capital cities, ports, and airports of Africa with a railway, as a prerequisite to enable the free transport of goods, services like cars and trucks and people all over the continent.

It will be the main infrastructure contribution for every citizen and company of the AU which will have the right to move and reside freely within the territory of all AU countries.

This right will be enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the AU on behalf of AfCFTA, similar to the EU.

Started in August 2019

“We started in August 2019 with the Initiative TARC, by pulling together some very bright minded people within Africa and from the Africans in the Diaspora, including myself”, Mr Gutzwiller, said.

Since then they have been working on that project to make the dream comes true for Africa. For instance, the USA (Wild West) was economically developed only with the railway from East to West in the 17th – 18th century.

Same will happen for Africa in the 21st century. Moreover, investors are investing huge amounts of money in flying to the Mars; why not invest even less than 5% of that in the African continent to accelerate trade and commerce within Africa? He asked.

As a design build finance operate and maintain (DBFOM) project, it will be completely centrally managed and operated to ensure value for money, the project manager assured.

The feasibility is very high

In his words: “The feasibility is very high, once there is that commitment achieved at the AU-level, that it contributes to the Agenda of Africa beyond 2063, the commitments of each African State involved in TARC and the commitment of the targeted investors”.

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A pre-requisite is however, that all the African countries stand behind this very impactful TARC initiative. Without that, nothing will move forward, according to Mr Gutzwiller.

Cost of project

The TARC project which is estimated to cost between $300-400 billion, can be released, as soon as above mentioned conditions are met, he stated confidently.

While the technical feasibility on the African continent is also possible with the newest railway technology, Mr Gutzwiller added.

Another great benefit of the project he mentioned is its contribution to the carbon dioxide efficiency of the African continent and the impact on the world will be enormous: “Cargo by vessel and air-transport will be minimized by augmenting cargo by railway”.

TARC project map

The energy in that project is very positive and high, it`s visible to every stakeholder, that it will bring the most impact in Africa.

This will surely change the face of Africa. He and the team behind this huge project are transformational. Africans do not have that common understanding yet. There is still so much division. If that understanding can be induced, then so much can be achieved.

By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, African Eye Report

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