South African Cabinet Approves Luxembourg Rail Protocol Ratification

 On 21st June 2023, the Cabinet of the Republic of South Africa formally approved the submission of the Luxembourg Rail Protocol to the Cape Town Convention to Parliament for ratification. Formal ratification is expected later in the year. In its official statement, the Cabinet emphasised that the Luxembourg Rail Protocol “fosters economic growth by enhancing private sector financing in the rail industry” and the progression of the Protocol is “an indication of how serious the country is about rail reform.” 

“This is great news for the future of African railways,” said Mesela Nhlapo, CEO of ARIA, the African Rail Industry Association and African Director of the RWG. “South Africa is the largest rail network in Africa and will be a key participant in the African Integrated High Speed Rail Network project as it gathers pace. This will involve massive investment in new standard gauge rolling stock and private capital will be essential. The Protocol will increase the availability of private capital and reduce its cost” she added. 

“We are excited about South Africa’s progress with ratification. As an African leader, both politically and economically, South Africa will play a critical role in building a continental railway system,” said RWG Chairman Howard Rosen. “We expect that South African adoption of the Protocol will encourage its ratification across the Continent, thereby making it easier to operate rolling stock across borders. The benefits of leveraging private capital to create sustainable transport across Africa are greater today than ever before” he added. 

Once completed, this will be the fifth ratification so far, following those of Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden and Gabon, as well as of the European Union in regard to its competences.