The Ethiopian government is planning to build a new 5,000km-long standard gauge and electrified track to connect the country to its neighbouring countries and to improve the national economy.
The plan also involves the renovation of the old imperial railway which covers strengthening bridges, re-laying about a third of the track, using better-quality rails and replacing old metal sleepers with more solid concrete ones.
The renovation project is underway and is funded by the European Union.
Ethiopia currently has only one narrow gauge line, linking the capital Addis Ababa to the neighbouring country of Djibouti and only half of it is operational.
