SA, according to Nkosi, has also been asked by the AU to focus on Africa’s rolling rail stock because of its background in building such facilities through state utilities Transnet and the Passenger Rail Agency.
Nkosi added that the development of the Beit Bridge corridor would be a main area of focus in the next two years, as it was an important link between SA and its neighbouring traders such as Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi and the rest of the continent.
The SA diplomat said that other African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Rwanda, Morocco, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Algeria would also be intensifying their bulk infrastructure programmes.
Nkosi said this was aimed at transitioning the African economy from consumption to manufacturing.
“It’s a very opportune moment to create this possibility for African countries to trade among themselves,” said Nkosi.
“It’s a realisation of the vision that was developed by the founding fathers (of the AU) which was elaborated in the 80s and 90s with the Abuja treaty and the Lagos plan of action.”
