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Railway networks remain an important part of Africa’s transport infrastructure, connecting major cities, industrial centres, ports and agricultural regions while supporting trade and economic activity.
According to 2026 data from Global Firepower, South Africa has by far the largest total rail coverage on the continent, with more than 30,000 kilometres of railway lines.
Sudan ranks second with 7,251km, followed by Egypt with 5,085km. Mozambique and Tanzania complete the top five, with 4,787km and 4,097km respectively.
Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe also feature among the African countries with the largest railway networks.
