Kenya is undergoing significant evolution in its railway sector. Africa Star Railway Operation Company Ltd. (Afristar) has announced the commencement of an 11-week worker training programme. It aims to make a major contribution to Kenya’s railway sector by establishing a partnership with Guangzhou Railway Polytechnic on 21 March 2025. The training programme aims to improve the skills of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) workers and strengthen the local railway workforce.
Training Program and Content
Guangzhou Railway Polytechnic is one of China’s leading railway training institutes, providing training for railway professionals in Africa and Asia. Afristar brings this valuable experience to Kenya’s railway workers. The program offers 78 courses on key topics such as rail transport demand analysis, freight management, and passenger services. These courses are taught by Chinese experts in English, with comprehensive educational content.
The scope of the training program is not only based on technical knowledge, but also emphasizes practical skills. Employees are trained on how to use railway equipment, how to maintain infrastructure, how to manage emergency responses, etc. In addition, advanced technical skills such as managing signals and bridge construction are also included in the program content.
Contribution to the Local Railway Sector
Afristar’s collaboration aligns with Kenya’s goal of decentralizing railway management. The training program enhances the knowledge and skills of teachers at the Railway Training Institute (RTI) of Kenya Railways (KRC), enabling more efficient creation of local railway courses. The initiative aims to help Kenya’s railway sector achieve its sustainable growth goals.
The training also aims to provide independence for Kenya’s railway system. Previously only offering on-the-job training opportunities, Afristar is accelerating skills development and helping to build local expertise through this structured training programme, which will help Kenya achieve the capacity to manage the SGR more effectively.
Operational Independence and Sustainability
Afristar’s training programme not only improves technical skills but also takes significant steps towards increasing the autonomy of Kenya’s railway sector. The programme effectively prepares employees for practical challenges, ensuring operational independence in the railway sector. It focuses on issues such as station emergency response and equipment management, equipping employees with the skills needed to solve the challenges they face in daily operations.
Afristar’s collaboration with Guangzhou Railway Polytechnic not only creates a local workforce, but also takes an important step towards Kenya’s sustainable railway development. At the end of the training programme, Kenya will be more independent in its railway management and will be able to implement best practices in the sector.
Global Excellence Model
This 11-week training programme aims to position Kenya’s railway sector as a global model of excellence. With the skills they gain from the training, SGR employees will be equipped to deliver better services across the country. This collaboration is a bold step in Kenya’s railway sector development and will set an example for the railway sector in Africa.
Afristar’s efforts have the potential to transform Kenya’s SGR not only as a means of transport but also as a model for economic development. Such programs will enhance Kenya’s expertise in the rail sector, strengthen regional integration and set an example for other countries in Africa.
