The Addis Ababa–Djibouti standard-gauge railway, opened to commercial service in the mid-2010s with major Chinese financing and construction, replaced an aging meter-gauge line and became a flagship of Belt and Road connectivity in the Horn.
For landlocked Ethiopia, the corridor to Doraleh and Djibouti port is strategic: most seaborne trade still moves through Djibouti. An electrified railway promised faster freight, lower truck wear on roads, and a modern passenger option—though utilization, debt service, and last-mile logistics have been ongoing challenges.
The project remains essential context for Red Sea logistics, Ethiopia’s search for diversified port access, and debates over Chinese infrastructure lending in Africa.
