Ethiopia rail system reflects growing ties with China

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Taxis and buses were once the only way to get across this teeming, ancient city of 4 million residents. But recently a light rail system provided by a new financial angel — China — is transforming how Ethiopians commute.

“This is a new Ethiopia,” said Mahlet Adem, who owns a jewelry shop at the Shiro Meda textile market in Addis Ababa. “The economy of this country has grown following the completion of two rail lines. Moving goods from one place to another is nowadays very easy.”

Ethiopia is only the second sub-Saharan country after South Africa to lay down an electrified rail network. The $475 million joint venture between Ethiopia and China opened in September. Slated for completion in 2019, the planned 22-mile-long system will carry 60,000 passengers per hour to 49 cities and towns across the capital region.