German company, Siemens, a Global Multinational organization has shown interest in investing in mobility constructing for the use of the construction of the Isaka-Kigali railway line.
“We have the right technology for the rail infrastructure and we are also aware that the rail project is looking for funding. This is one area we are looking at for possible investment,” said Chief Executive Office of Siemens Belgium-Luxemburg, North-West- & Central Africa, Andre Bouffioux.
An agreement has already been signed for the co-finance and construction of the 400km Isaka-Kigali Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), with the first phase set to commence in October this year. Siemens has also dispatched five-person team of officials to scout opportunities, after many years of working with local dealers to provide a steady supply of high tech equipment like air-conditioners.
The railway project has attracted Siemens immediate attention with the company confident in its ability to deliver. Siemens has amassed heavy investments in Rail services, Automation, Electrification, complete rail solutions, components and systems over the years.
According to sources, Siemens hopes begin the negotiation process with the Rwandan government in three key areas; technology investment, infrastructure, health and sustainable energy.
Of the key opportunities surveyed, Siemens hopes to strike a building technology deal with the private and the government likewise for the installation of energy saving equipment in multimillion structures like hotels. Siemens are also eyeing a role in the planned Bugesera International Airport.
“Our plan is to work with the private sector first, we have already received several deals from the local companies but we would like to work with government in a long term which requires a structural plan,” Bouffioux said during a press briefing in Kigali on Thursday.
With 26 established operations in Africa already, Bouffioux sees Rwanda as ideal for the German company’s cause and hopes to make Rwanda a key African investment expansion point.
