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Bolloré Transport & Logistics is awarded for the best Infrastructure project at the Africa Investments Forum & Awards

Paris. 08 November 2018

On 8 November 2018, Bolloré Transport & Logistics wins a prize for the best port, airport and railways infrastructure project at the second edition of the AIFA (Africa Investments Forum & Awards).

The jury singled out the Sitarail project for its role in the logistic transformation of the African continent and its significant potential for development. Eric Melet, Chief Development Officer of Bolloré Transport & Logistics and CEO of Bolloré Railways, was present at the awards ceremony, held at the Pavillon d’Armenonville in Paris.

Eric Melet, Directeur général développement

Bolloré Transport & Logistics

This award is the recognition of the 5,000 direct and indirect employees and partners who work with Sitarail. It is also the trust that two Heads of State, President Ouattara and President Kaboré, have in Bolloré Transport & Logistics to transform a historical legacy and bring it into the logistics transformation of West Africa and the continent.

First organised in 2017, the AIFA brings together public and private players working in sectors with significant growth potential. On this basis, the organising team selects a number of companies for an event to find the best project in several areas: energy, mining, infrastructure and city planning, mergers and acquisitions, growth strategies and real estate industries.

As part of the planned modernisation, Sitarail awarded project will acquire new rail equipment and completely renovate the railway between Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. A total of €600 million will be invested overall, of which €250 million over the period 2019-2023. The modernised infrastructure will increase the flow of goods and people between the two countries, as well as contributing to the emergence of new industrial and mining activities. Moreover, the railway is currently the only transport infrastructure so closely linked to this sub-region, where it represents over 500 direct or indirect jobs. Sitarail is emerging as the benchmark transport solution to boost trade between Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Mali.

The role of Sitarail in the emergence of industrial activities

Coinciding with the AIFA, Sitarail announced a partnership with two leading industrial operators in Burkina Faso. The company has been commissioned to ship 240,000 tonnes of clinker/year for CIMASSO and 500,000 m3 of hydrocarbons/year for Sonabhy. Sitarail has already built a special branch line to serve the CIMASSO plant and laid 1,554 linear metres of rail connecting with the main line and able to carry hopper cars. CIMASSO and Sonabhy are relying on the experience of Bolloré Transport & Logistics to keep supplies running smoothly as part of a fast, competitive service.

 

 

About Sitarail

Sitarail connects the Ivory Coast to Burkina Faso. Each year, it enables around 200,000 passengers to travel in total safety and 900,000 tonnes of freight to be transported. The network, stretching 1,260 km, connects Abidjan to Kaya and passes through 59 stations. The goods transported upstream are mainly fuels, containers, fertilizers and cement. Whereas the products transported downstream mainly include cotton and local products. Bolloré Railways has committed to a substantial investment project to upgrade and replace 850 km of railway tracks.