A new chapter began for Benin's railways on October 14 when private concessionaire Bénirail took over operation of the 438km metre-gauge network of the former Benin-Niger Railway Transport Organisation (OCBN).
THE prime minister of Benin, Mr Lionel Zinsou signed a concession agreement with his Nigerien counterpart, Mr Brigi Rafini and Bolloré Group's CEO, Mr Thierry Ballard, in Niamey on August 13.
THE president of Benin Mr Boni Yayi and his Nigerien counterpart Mr Mahamadou Issoufou formally launched upgrading of the 437km Cotonou - Parakou line in a ceremony at Cotonou Central station on March 19, marking the start of work on a $US 1.6bn project to link the capital cities of the two countries by rail.
CONSTRUCTION is expected to begin on April 7 in Niamey, the capital of Niger, on a 1050km railway link with Benin's capital Cotonou.
THE states of Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Niger and Benin have agreed to study a plan to build a new line at least 900km long to connect the existing metre-gauge railways in Burkina Faso and Benin. A roadmap will be drawn up soon to secure funding with a view to starting construction in 2014.