Railways: New ONCF Training Cycle for African Networks

29 March 2021 Printable Version

Rabat - The National Office of Railways (ONCF) is organizing from March 29 to April 1st, by distance learning, the first training cycle on rolling stock for senior managers of 13 African networks, namely Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Niger, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal, Chad and Tunisia.

Part of the deployment of the action plan of the International Union of Railways (UIC) - Africa Region - chaired by Morocco since 2010, this session was initiated given the importance and the stake of this industrial activity in the operability of African rail networks, improving productivity and quality of service, said Monday a statement from the Office.

Led by Moroccan and international experts, this cycle is an ideal opportunity for participants to share best practices, learn about developments to address the constraints observed in the maintenance of this strategic component of the production apparatus, according to the same source.

To make this training cycle more relevant, more attractive and achieve the expected objectives, a program has been set including daily lectures related to technical, organizational, managerial and financial aspects. This program also includes virtual visits to ONCF sites and workshops, including the one dedicated to the maintenance of trains "Al Boraq" which has been designed and equipped under the latest international standards in this area.

Moreover, ONCF is multiplying its initiatives to share its experience and know-how with African networks, to give a new impetus and further revitalize the South-South partnership in the various railway fields, the Office added.

In the space of five years, this cooperation has focused on the organization of 20 conferences/seminars on topical and targeted subjects, having mobilized over 200 experts and about 2,500 participants; the implementation of 15 training courses focusing on railway safety and security as well as on track maintenance for the benefit of nearly 420 participants supervised by 120 ONCF experts.

These efforts aim to contribute to the development of a reliable and viable African rail transport system, which will promote sustainable mobility and economic inclusion of the continent, in line with the policy outlined by HM King Mohammed VI in terms of strengthening South-South cooperation and improving the positioning and competitiveness of the African continent in the international arena, the statement concluded.