2028 Completion Targeted as 924 Km Algiers-Tamanrasset Rail Readies
The strategic Algiers-Tamanrasset railway project is advancing, with 924 kilometers now prepared for the launch of works. This significant development marks a new phase for one of Algeria's most important infrastructure initiatives, aiming to connect the northern and southern regions. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has designated the 2,036-kilometer corridor as a strategic priority, with its full commissioning targeted for the end of 2028.
Minister of Public Works, Abdelkader Djellaoui, recently provided an update on the project's progress. Of the total length, 308 kilometers are already in operation, including the Boughezoul-Djelfa-Laghouat line inaugurated by President Tebboune in October 2023. An additional 42 kilometers are currently under construction, while the 924 kilometers now entering the work launch phase represent a substantial portion of the remaining sections. Furthermore, 651 kilometers are subject to ongoing calls for tenders, signifying comprehensive development across the corridor. Algerian public enterprises such as Cosider, SNTP, GCB, and Infrarail, alongside Chinese groups CRCC and CCECC, are participating in the realization of this major undertaking.
The project, which is also among the most important in the country alongside the extension of the Algiers metro, is financed through a combination of national and international mechanisms. The Laghouat-Ghardaïa-El Meniaa section benefits from co-financing by the African Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, while the southern El Meniaa-In Salah-Tamanrasset section is fully funded by the state budget. Discussions are continuing with other financial institutions for additional priority sections. The railway is designed for passenger trains to operate at speeds of up to 220 km/h and freight trains at 100 km/h, featuring modern ERTMS signaling and a GSM-R communication network. Recent steps include a decree in August that declared the El Meniaa-In Salah and In Salah-Tamanrasset sections as public utility, facilitating necessary land acquisitions. This ambitious project is set to enhance internal trade, support Saharan tourism, and form a crucial link in a future trans-Saharan connection towards the Niger border.
