A review and analysis of railway transportation system in the economic community of West African States: Towards the development of sustainable regional goal

A comprehensive evaluation of the current state of the railway transport system in eleven countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is presented. Four themes of the railway transportation system comprise of infrastructure, rolling stock, operational performance, telecommunication and signaling are examined in the article. The transport policy regarding the railway transport system is analyzed along with the regulation and institutional framework. The findings of this study show that the railway transportation system is characterized by deteriorated infrastructure, obsolete technologies, fragmented and old databases, scarcely accessible investments, low-quality operations regarding safety and performance, and restricted connectivity and interoperability. Based on the socio-economic context in the region and review of recent railway projects, a series of strategies are proposed to meet future regional visions. These strategies are envisaged to contribute to the development of an efficient and interoperable railway transportation system in the Economic Community of the West African States which in turn will improve the interconnectivity and enhance the economic growth and trade in West Africa.