Today it sits as a daily reminder of the broken promises of China-funded infrastructure investments that swept Africa in recent years. Frequent breakdowns, inadequate maintenance funding and operational constraints mean barely one-third of its 41 trains are operational, ferrying 55,000 passengers a day, a fraction of initial projections.
Once bustling and vibrant train stations now exude an air of desolation and neglect, contrasting sharply with the city’s urgent transportation needs for its almost 4 million residents. Inoperable trains are regularly parked at the railway’s garage, awaiting maintenance.
The problems with Ethiopia’s rail system and financing are well-known though, you can find articles about it right accross the political spectrum.
Disagreeing with this article’s conclusions about it would be valid, but there’s no point trying to pretend the facts listed are not facts.