South African company Thelo and DB Engineering & Consulting (DB E&C) have entered into a strategic partnership to promote the development of rail freight transport corridors in Africa. DB E&C will provide technical and operational support for Thelo's projects, which include the construction of rail freight transport corridors with direct port access for the transport of mining products, agricultural produce, containers or bulk liquids. Thelo expects national trade through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to increase by 81% by 2025, with the transport sector expected to grow by almost 50%. DB E&C and Thelo are already working as a joint venture Thelo DB on the development and start of operations of the Western Railway in Ghana and on the construction of a 412 km long iron ore railway line in Congo.
