Top 5 Fastest Trains in Africa

Fastest trains in the world
Faster than Acela express

LGV Maroc, SGR kenya, madaraka express, gautrain, coradier algeria, ethiopia djibouti train
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Starting at number 5 is trains by Metro Rail, in Cape Town, South Africa. The trains operate on a 460 km electrified rail system, and can do speeds of up to 90 km/h

At number 4, it’s a tie between two trains. First is the Abuja - Kaduna train in Nigeria, which was opened in July 2016. This is a 187 km completed segment of the greater Lagos - Kano standard gauge railway. The trains on this segment are diesel powered and can travel at up to 100 km/h.

Matching those speeds is the Metro Line 3 trains, which are part of the rapid transit system in Cairo Egypt.They began operations in 1987 with Line 1 trains and then expanded. The current trains are made by Hyundai Rotem and run on standard gauge lines.

At number 3, it’s a tie between trains from 4 different countries; Egypt, Tunisia, Kenya, and Ethiopia/Djibouti line.

Egypt’s rail transport is managed by Egyptian National Railways. Their diesel powered trains are capable of speeds of up to 120 km/h. Egypt is one of the countries in Africa planning high-speed rail projects.

Kenya's madaraka express , operated by Kenya Railways runs between Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa. It began operation in June 2017 and runs on the newly constructed 485 km standard gauge rail. The madaraka express is diesel powered and can do speeds of up to 120 km/h

The train between Addis Ababa and Djibouti began operations in January 2018. It is the fastest intercountry train in Africa and it is operated by the governments of both countries. The trains run on the newly built and electrified 759 km standard gauge rail system. These trains have a top operating speed of 120km/h.

The Tunisian Railways company SNCFT operates trains in the suburbs of Tunis and Sahel. Beginning in 2012, they began upgrading their diesel-powered trains with new electric powered trains made by Hyundai Rotem. The new trains are capable of speeds of up to 120 km/h

Coming in at number 2 is another tie between two trains from 2 different countries.

Algeria has had great rail system for some time now. Their older regional and suburbs trains are capable of doing 160 km/h. However, there is much excitement about the newly introduced coradier trains which began operations in 2018. According to Algeria’s national rail operator SNTF, the trains are dual mode meaning they can operate on either diesel or electric. The new trains are made by Alstom a French company. The Coradia trains are capable of traveling at speeds of up to 160 km/h.

Also at number 2 is Gautrain. Gautrain is an 80km electrified commuter rail service in Gauteng South Africa. It officially began operations in June 2012 and it is operated by Bombela operating company. The rail system uses Bombardier electrostar trains capable of up to 160 km/h.

Finally at number 1 is the fastest train, the newest and the only high speed train in Africa. The Moroccan TGV running on a 323 km segment between Casablanca and Tangier. It began operations in November 2018.It is operated by the national railway company ONCF. The trains are Euroduplex made by French company Alstom. The trains are capable of speeds of up to 320 km/h. During testing, the trains set an African rail speed record when they hit speeds of 357 km/h.