Ranked: Top 10 fastest trains in Africa
By Paulette Mboga, July 31, 2025Infrastructure investment has continued to grow across Africa. A new era of high-speed trains is taking shape all over the world, with Africa included.
Modern train systems are improving trade routes, easing commuter traffic, and setting new standards for public transport.
Here is a list of the fastest trains driving Africa’s transport industry.
Nigeria’s Red Line metro – 330km/h
Launched on February 29, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s Red Line rail system in Lagos is already changing urban transit.
Spanning 37km from Agbado to Oyingbo, the metro makes about 37 trips daily.
It serves up to 500,000 passengers. With speeds reaching 330km/h, making it the fastest train in Africa.
Morocco’s Al Boraq, 320km/h
Al Boraq, Morocco’s high-speed train, runs between Casablanca and Tangier, cutting travel time dramatically.
The $2 billion project reduced travelling from nearly five hours to just over two.
Though the trains run at 320km/h, they reached a peak of 357km/h during testing.
Egypt’s high-speed rail, 250 km/h
Egypt’s 1,800km high-speed rail network is designed for trains running at up to 250km/h.
South Africa’s Gautrain, 160km/h
South Africa’s Gautrain system links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni, and OR Tambo International Airport.
Launched in June 2010 ahead of the FIFA World Cup, this 80km commuter rail line reaches speeds of 160km/h, making it a pioneer in Southern Africa’s high-speed travel.
Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway, 160km/h
The Addis Ababa–Djibouti Railway is a key international route offering both passenger and cargo services.
Operational since January 2018, the standard gauge railway allows passenger trains to hit speeds of 160km/h while cargo trains run at 120km/h.
Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway, 160km/h
Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway has seen major upgrades with the addition of two new electric multiple-unit trains from South Korea.
Operating between Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, the trains run at 160km/h.
Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway, 120km/h
Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway, known as the Madaraka Express, connects Nairobi to Mombasa.
With a top speed of 120km/h, the service offers both first and economy class options.
The $3.2 billion project is a major achievement in East African transport.