NACCIMA Praises IDR’s Landmark Deal with Ethiopia to Boost Africa’s Energy Security
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has commended Insight Dynamic Resources Ltd (IDR) on signing a Definitive Collaborative Agreement with Ethiopia’s government for the Gas-by-Rail Economic Corridor Initiative (GBR-ECI). This project aims to enhance Africa’s energy security, support industrial development, and strengthen logistics integration.
Key aspects of the GBR-ECI include:
– 73,500 km transcontinental rail-energy corridor: Facilitating gas transportation and industrial growth, providing cleaner energy access to over 1.2 billion Africans.
– 470 high-efficiency gas turbines: Forming a 270-gigawatt base load power system to support industrialization and reduce biomass dependence.
– AfCFTA integration: Supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area’s effective implementation.
NACCIMA emphasizes integrated infrastructure as crucial for AfCFTA’s success, praising the GBR-ECI as an innovative approach to continental development.
About the GBR-ECI
The Gas-by-Rail Economic Corridor Initiative (GBR-ECI) is a game-changer for Africa’s economy, with a projected contribution of up to $29 trillion to the region’s combined GDP. This ambitious project aims to connect 40 Sub-Saharan African countries through a 73,500 km transcontinental freight railway system, providing cleaner energy access to over 1.2 billion people.
Ethiopia is set to play a central role in this initiative, serving as the continental anchor and hosting the Ethio-Cluster, an industrial hub producing green hydrogen, green iron, and green steel. The country will also develop facilities for green hydrogen production and green steel output, with a target of 5 million tonnes annually by 2030.
The GBR-ECI is expected to:
– *Boost Economic Growth*: Stimulate industrial development, create extensive employment opportunities, and promote green economic growth
– Enhance Energy Access: Provide cleaner energy alternatives to over 1.2 billion people, reducing reliance on woodfuel and biomass
– Support Industrialization: Foster agro-allied industries, natural mineral processing, and manufacturing growth
– Create Jobs: Generate over 70 million jobs by 2050, spanning engineering, manufacturing, and logistics
