Algeria has officially opened the Western Mining Railway, Africa’s first heavy-haul railway built across desert terrain, marking a major milestone for the country’s transport infrastructure. The new line is expected to strengthen Algeria’s national rail network and support economic development and connectivity in the country’s south-western regions.

The railway stretches 950 km, with 575 km constructed by China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) in partnership with Algerian state-owned companies. The project represents the largest infrastructure development ever undertaken by a Chinese company in Algeria and is designed specifically for transporting heavy bulk cargo from mining areas across the desert.

The launch highlights China’s growing role in large-scale rail infrastructure in Africa and Algeria’s focus on expanding logistics capacity beyond coastal regions.