6 African countries without a multimodal transport system
…Unimodal Transport Hinders Africa’s Economic Potential
Multimodal transport systems, integrating road, rail, air, and water transport, are fundamental for efficient logistics, trade, and regional integration. However, many African countries lack such cohesive systems, impeding their economic development and connectivity.
- Chad: A Nation Without Railways
Chad's transport infrastructure is severely underdeveloped. The country has no operational railways, limited navigable waterways only in its southwestern region, and a largely insubstantial road network consisting mostly of unpaved tracks. Fuel availability is erratic and expensive, particularly outside the capital. The absence of rail and consistent water transport severely limits intermodal coordination.
- Burundi: Fragmented Transport System
Transport in Burundi is fragmented. There’s no railway network, and it relies mostly on road transport and limited water transport on Lake Tanganyika. Ferry services exist but are sparse, and only one international airport features a paved runway. The absence of rail and limited air and water infrastructure hinders a functional multimodal system.
- Malawi: Isolated Transport Modes
While Malawi possesses roads, limited rail, and waterways, these operate in isolation. Rail coverage is only 495 miles of narrow-gauge tracks. Road networks cover roughly 45% paved surfaces. Water ports on Lake Malawi and the Shire River exist, but usage remains limited, and key water routes remain nonoperational. Thus, practical multimodal coordination is absent.
- Mali: Dilapidated Rail and Disjointed Infrastructure
Mali has a single rail corridor, the Dakar-Niger Railway, linking Bamako to Dakar. However, the rail system is dilapidated and frequently disrupted during rainy seasons. While roads, air services, and inland waterways exist, they lack coordinated integration, undermining multimodal effectiveness.
- Uganda: Dominance of Road Transport
Uganda relies heavily on roads, accounting for more than 90% of freight transport. Its existing rail and water systems remain underdeveloped with limited functionality. Though Uganda is part of regional trade corridors, practical multimodal transport integration remains elusive due to operational and infrastructural shortcomings.
- Benin: Underutilised Transport Infrastructure
Benin maintains basic road, rail, and port systems but lacks rail connections to neighbouring countries, limiting transnational intermodality. Its waterways and ports are underutilised, and urban areas lack formal public transit infrastructure, with people relying on informal means like motorcycles and mopeds instead.
Conclusion: The Need for Integrated Transport Systems
African countries such as Chad, Burundi, Malawi, Mali, Uganda, and Benin illustrate the persistence of largely unimodal transport systems. These gaps are rooted in infrastructure deficits, lack of coherent planning, and financial limitations. Addressing these will require integrated policy frameworks, substantial investment, and institutional reform to foster true multimodal mobility capable of unlocking the continent’s economic potential.