Overview
About the webinar
Join us as we explore the pivotal role of railway infrastructure in transforming transportation across Africa. Despite its significant contribution to the economy and regional connectivity, there are still challenges hindering the continent's railway potential.
ConstructAfrica proudly presents the Railway Infrastructure Development in Africa Webinar, scheduled for June 20th, 2024. This virtual event, hosted on Zoom as part of our Building a Better Africa webinar series, aims to address these challenges head-on.
This webinar will convene 150+ policymakers, project owners, industry experts, and thought leaders to exchange insights and strategies for developing, constructing and managing railway infrastructure across the continent. Together, we'll explore the latest best practices and innovative solutions driving Africa's railway development forward.
Our discussions will revolve around crucial topics including:
- Modernising legacy rail systems
- Successfully delivering cross-border rail projects
- Financing rail projects
- Making PPPs work in the rail sector
- Delivering inner city rail
- Technology
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of shaping the future of railway infrastructure in Africa. Register now to secure your spot at the forefront of this transformative dialogue.
About the panelists
Director of the Infrastructure and Urban Development Department, AfDB
Mike SALAWOU is the Director of the African Development Bank’s Infrastructure and Urban Development Department. He oversees a portfolio of infrastructure assets worth over USD 16 billion in Africa, covering public and private sector projects.
With 20 years at AfDB, he managed the NEPAD IPPF Special Fund, coordinated the Infrastructure Consortium for Africa, and represented the Bank in several global partnerships.
His expertise in development policy and management, backed by degrees from Copenhagen Business School, CEMS CBS, HEC Paris, and Sciences Po Paris, underscores his leadership in advancing Africa's railway infrastructure.
Managing Director, LAMATA
Engr. Abimbola Akinajo is the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority in Nigeria and a Chartered Civil Engineer (both in the UK and Nigeria). She has over three decades post qualification experience, gained substantially in the design and delivery of major transport (both Rail and Road) infrastructure projects.
She has over 20 years of experience in engineering, specializing in railway infrastructure projects. She held positions at WS Atkins Consulting, Robert West Consulting, Fluor Daniel Limited, and London Underground Limited.
Managing Director & CEO, TAZARA
Eng. Bruno is the Managing Director and CEO of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority. He is also a railway management professional having worked for over 40 years in railway-related industries ranging from rail operators to manufacturers of railway equipment such as General Electric Transportation and Bombardier.
Director of Central Development, SITARAIL
Simplice ESSOH is the Director of Central development at SITARAIL in Cote D'Ivoire, and a Public Works Engineer. He holds a DESS in Management from IAE Paris – Sorbonne Panthéon and a diploma in project monitoring and evaluation from CEFEB (AFD). He joined SITARAIL in 2000 where he started as the Deputy Transport Director from 2003 - 2007. He then became the Commercial Director from 2007 - 2011 and the Transport Director from 2011 - 2016.
CEO, African Rail Industry Association
Mesela Nhlapo is an influential leader in rail and transportation, with over twenty years of experience, serving as CEO of ARIA and Africa Director for the Rail Working Group. She has significantly advanced African rail transportation, covering areas such as safety, policy, and technology integration.
She champions the Luxembourg Rail Protocol, promoting sustainable, open-access rail networks across Africa, aiming to enhance trade and economic growth while fostering regional connectivity.
Advisory Services Director, TYPSA
Jose Cordovilla is a Civil Engineer and thought leader on infrastructure, with an international career of 25 years working with clients and partners. He specialised in public-private partnerships (PPPs), private-sector participation, and infrastructure financing. He currently leads a team of professionals who provide technical and strategic advice to public and private clients in the planning, financing, delivery, and management of infrastructure projects globally.
Director, Surbon Consulting
For the past 11 years, Rachel has run Surbon Consulting, supporting operators and government clients on rail business development and sustainability projects across the UK and the Middle East. Projects have ranged from leading the development of the first-ever carbon footprint of the UK railway industry to supporting the mobilization of Doha Metro.
CEO, Elogium
Henk Harmse is the CEO of Elogium. He has over three decades of experience in maintenance, supply chain, manufacturing, and project management across multiple industries.
He has developed a model to assist customers in adopting 3D printing as part of their future strategies. One of the key industries that benefit greatly from adopting 3D printing is the rail industry due to aging fleets and the availability of spare parts.
Managing Director, Alstom Rolling Stock
Miss Makgola is the Managing Director of Alstom Rolling Stock, South Africa. She worked as a system engineer and in various leadership roles for the South African power utility, Eskom, and also worked as a senior reliability engineer for gas giant Sasol.
She then worked as Deputy Director General in the National Government where she gained extensive experience in infrastructure investments, policy formulation, and regulation.
Research Chair, Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa
Prof Khumbulani is a global leader with vast experience as a board member, technology commercialization incubator founder, research chair, industrial engineering professor, academic leader, and industrial consultant. His knowledge is anchored in the principles of the fourth industrial revolution applied in manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, expert systems, artificial intelligence, robotics in manufacturing, and mechatronics.