Desire of protectionism remains high in Africa. Findings from a recent survey conducted by Afrobarometer (a pan-African survey research network that conducts evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life in the continent), show considerable resistance among South Africans to free movement and trade. Precisely, 51% of respondents is in favor of protecting domestic producers from foreign competitors against a 45% supporting free cross-border movement.

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Confronted with increased congestion of seaports recently exacerbated by Covid-19, many nations and Regional Economic Communities in Africa are launching dry port development projects that aim at shifting customs, logistics services and cargo handling activities to inland terminals situated in locations far from ports. However, in order to maximize efficiency of such structures, their connection to seaports need to be ensured by short and fast access lines that should be integrated in their design. In this regard, railway transport is unsurpassed in terms of its speed, time savings and ability to travel long distances. Unfortunately, this mode of transport is also inadequate or non-existent in many parts of Africa, often constrained by difficult morphological conditions of the territories where railway tracks must be laid.

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