Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya made the inaugural journey on Monday aboard a passenger train operated by the Compagnie du Transguinéen (CTG), covering a 148-kilometer route linking the port of Morébaya to Kassa, in Mamou Prefecture.
This milestone marks progress in the development of railway infrastructure associated with the massive Simandou mining project.
Aboard the KOMA locomotive, which pulled four passenger carriages, the Head of State was accompanied by several government members, presidential officials, representatives of the Simandou Strategic Committee, diplomats, and local authorities, according to information released by the Guinean presidency.
After more than an hour of travel, the presidential delegation arrived in Kassa, where Mamadi Doumbouya visited the railway facilities. The return journey to Morébaya was then made aboard the SANFINA locomotive.
This inaugural train service is part of the Simandou 2040 program, which aims to modernize national infrastructure, strengthen Guinea’s logistical capacity, and support its economic transformation. The railway corridor is intended to connect the port of Morébaya with the Simandou mining areas, with prospects for both freight and passenger transport.
The network’s technical specifications reflect the scale of the work carried out. According to data published by the presidency, the main line includes 205 bridges and four tunnels. Among the most remarkable structures is the Colomo II viaduct, which stretches 2,115.94 meters. The network also includes an 11.6-kilometer tunnel, described by the authorities as the longest railway tunnel in West Africa.
These facilities are complemented by 1,170 culverts, 26 wildlife crossings, 29 overpasses, and 42 box culverts. The secondary branch, meanwhile, includes five bridges and a 926-meter tunnel, illustrating the scale of the infrastructure developments required to complete the project.
Beyond the exploitation of mineral resources, the Guinean authorities intend to make the Trans-Guinean Railway an instrument of economic development. The network is expected to boost trade, facilitate the transportation of agricultural products, and improve transport connections within the country.
Passenger access to this infrastructure is expected to be introduced gradually, alongside the development of modern stations along the route. However, the exact date of the commercial launch, ticket prices, and operating conditions have not yet been officially announced.
This inaugural journey therefore represents an important milestone for the Trans-Guinean Railway and the economic ambitions associated with the Simandou project. The actual impact of this infrastructure will now depend on its effective entry into operation and its ability to generate lasting benefits for the national economy and the Guinean population.