Ogaden–Djibouti Railway Project

A strategic link to unlock Ogaden’s natural wealth and strengthen Ethiopia’s maritime access

Strategic Infrastructure for Regional Growth and Global Connectivity

The Ogaden–Djibouti Railway Project is a transformative infrastructure initiative designed to connect Ethiopia’s resource-rich Ogaden Basin with the Port of Djibouti — Ethiopia’s key maritime gateway. This railway will play a pivotal role in unlocking the full potential of the region’s vast natural resources, particularly crude oil, natural gas, and minerals.

A Strategic Corridor
for Energy and Minerals

The Ogaden Basin, located in eastern Ethiopia, has been the focus of extensive geological surveys confirming substantial reserves of natural gas (190.7 bcm) and crude oil (46 million tonnes). With active exploration by several international companies, the area is poised to become one of East Africa’s most significant energy hubs.

The new railway will serve as the essential transport corridor between this inland basin and international markets. It will ensure the efficient, safe, and continuous flow of energy and mineral commodities, offering a vital alternative to road and pipeline transport, and significantly enhancing the logistics capacity of the entire region.

Catalyst for Economic Development

Beyond its logistical function, the railway will be a powerful
engine for economic growth:

It will support industrial development by enabling large-scale
extraction and export of natural resources.

It will create new employment and investment opportunities
across the value chain.

It will enhance regional competitiveness and attract further
foreign direct investment.

The infrastructure will include double-track heavy haul lines designed for 25-ton axle loads, with approximately 750 km of track, modern signalling systems, strategically located stations, maintenance depots, and a dedicated fleet of rolling stock including diesel-electric locomotives, LNG and crude oil railcars, and hopper wagons for bulk minerals.

Sustainability and
Long-Term Vision

The railway network will be designed to accommodate long-term extraction and transport activity, with projected production horizons of over 50 years. Its alignment with Ethiopia’s broader industrialization and export strategy underlines its strategic importance, and positions the project as a cornerstone for national and regional economic transformation.

Additionally, the railway infrastructure will complement the existing gas pipeline infrastructure and support future industrial facilities, including a proposed ammonia production plant linked to hydrogen development — further amplifying the project’s energy transition relevance.

In Summary

The Ogaden–Djibouti Railway is not merely a transport project — it is a nation-shaping endeavor. By connecting energy-rich inland Ethiopia to global trade routes, it will strengthen the region’s economic fabric, secure its position in international markets, and deliver long-term benefits for generations to come.