On 14 December 2023, the 21st Africa Regional Assembly (ARA) was held at UIC Headquarters in Paris. In his opening speech, ARA Chair Mohamed Rabie Khlie, underlined the UIC Africa region’s new direction in line with the evolving expectations of its members, including the creation of a taskforce dedicated to Rail Safety in Africa, as a platform to exchange and explore projects of common interest.

UIC Director-General François Davenne highlighted the importance of events organised in Africa throughout 2023, such as the 11th UIC World High-Speed Congress, which was held in Marrakech and therefore for the first time in Africa. The 1st International Forum on Financing Rail Projects in Africa, held in Dakar, was another important event, and Davenne stressed that rail presents a strong and viable transport solution in Africa, and that UIC’s strength is in this inclusivity.

Among other topics, ARA addressed the Africa region’s cooperation with the African Union Commission, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, development banks, and the Southern African Railway Association (SARA), as well as the launch of the Africa Security Taskforce, and other regional projects and initiatives.

Christian Chavanel, Railway System Director and Coordinator of the UIC Africa Region, announced the creation of an Africa Regional Competence Hub for Research and Innovation in 2024, which will focus on regional needs to create expertise and provide innovative solutions. Another important announcement was that the 3rd African Rail Digital Congress will be held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on 28-20 May 2024, under the title of “Digitisation: a challenge to boost the railway value chain”.