The local railway manufacturing, maintenance, engineering and supply industry representative body, the Africa Rail Industry Association (ARIA), has announced an acceleration of its localisation programme. Dubbed “The Power of Local. Moving Africa Forward”, it is focused on skills development.

“Localisation is ultimately a capability question, and capability depends on people,” said ARIA CEO Mesela Nhlapo. “If South Africa wants a reliable freight rail system, we must invest in the skills base that enables maintenance, safety compliance and long-term operational readiness. Without that skills pipeline, localisation cannot deliver meaningful outcomes.”

Procurement alone would not achieve localisation if there were insufficient artisans, technicians, engineers and other rail technical specialists in the country. To support and maintain long-term growth in the South African rail sector, it is essential to create and sustain a skills development pipeline for these disciplines. Without such specialists, it will be impossible to maintain rolling stock, restore the readiness of the railway fleet, and keep the country’s strategic railway corridors operational. 

“Localisation must be built on an ecosystem that includes skills development, supplier development and practical workplace exposure,” she affirmed. “This is how South Africa builds industrial depth that lasts beyond a single procurement cycle and supports long-term competitiveness.”

Skills development for the railway sector also provides an opportunity to help address South Africa’s persistently high youth unemployment rate, which ran at 45.5% during the third quarter of 2024. The rail sector can provide sustainable careers, especially in technical occupations.

“[R]ail reform is moving into an execution phase that will require capacity across the value chain, including rolling stock readiness, technical certification, safety compliance and corridor-level maintenance support,” highlighted the association. “ARIA has previously noted that train operating companies — public and private — must transition into active operations within 12 to 18 months, placing pressure on the system to ensure implementation readiness at both operational and human capital levels.”

ARIA’s skills development programme aligns with the National Skills Development Plan 2030. The association will continue to work with stakeholders, including industry, government and training institutions, to reinforce the skills pipeline needed to support the recovery of the country’s rail freight network, improving reliability and so also sustainable economic growth.