en.Wedoany.com Reported - The African Development Bank has provided $878.09 million in financing to Algeria for the construction of Phase II of the Laghouat–Ghardaïa–El Meniaa railway project. The funds have been approved by the Bank's Board of Directors to support the advancement of this key section of Algeria's north-south railway network.

The Laghouat–Ghardaïa–El Meniaa railway spans 495 kilometers, divided into the 265-kilometer Laghouat–Ghardaïa section and the 230-kilometer Ghardaïa–El Meniaa section. This financing primarily targets Phase II, namely the implementation of the Ghardaïa–El Meniaa section, while also supporting ancillary infrastructure construction and related institutional capacity building. The project is being executed by Algeria's Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure.

The Ghardaïa–El Meniaa railway section is expected to require an investment of approximately $1.2 billion, with three stations and multiple engineering structures to be built along the route, passing through towns such as Mansoura and Hassi Lefhal. The maximum operating speed for passenger trains is 220 kilometers per hour, and for freight trains, 100 kilometers per hour.

Numerous agricultural and mineral resource production areas are distributed along the railway line. Once completed, it will connect production centers with markets, reducing transportation time and costs, and promoting the development of related industries such as agricultural processing, logistics, construction, and public works. The African Development Bank's representative in Algeria stated that the project reflects Algeria's development strategy of promoting economic diversification and reducing dependence on oil and gas resources. By connecting populated areas, mining zones, and ports, it will improve resource utilization efficiency and create new economic value, while strengthening Algeria's role as a key gateway connecting Africa, the Mediterranean region, and Europe.