Trainings & E-Learning

Strengthening Railways to Boost Economic Development

Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) Rail Study Tour 2026 — a Study Tour accompanying the TUMI Conference and InnoTrans in Berlin

The TUMI Rail Study Tour brings together high-level decision-makers, railway authorities and operators, development partners and technical experts from Africa, Europe, Latin America and Central Asia for a week of peer-to-peer learning on strengthening railway systems as a key driver of sustainable economic development.

Anchored around the TUMI Conference and InnoTrans 2026 — the world’s leading railway-technology trade fair — in Berlin, the tour combines guided trade-fair tours, expert talks with Deutsche Bahn and industry partners, an African–European Industry Dialogue, and technical site visits to rail infrastructure, operations and maintenance facilities and vocational training centres.

It is organised by GIZ on behalf of BMZ, building on BMZ’s support to the African Development Bank (AfDB) in strengthening the training capacities essential for planning, constructing and operating railway systems.

The expansion of cities, rising industrial activity and growing demand for sustainable transport are creating substantial opportunities for railway development — and a unique opportunity for Europe and Germany to strengthen partnerships and contribute to transport networks in the Global South. Poor network condition, high capital costs, a lack of harmonised standards, weak institutional frameworks and limited local expertise remain the main barriers.

Building on the global platform of InnoTrans 2026, GIZ brings together representatives from governments, railway authorities, development partners and the European railway industry to explore opportunities for deeper cooperation, investment and knowledge exchange in the railway sector.

The study tour aims to:

• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning and dialogue on pathways to strengthen railway systems as a driver of sustainable economic development.
• Identify cooperation opportunities and forge partnerships, promoting investment and knowledge exchange in the rail sector.
• Connect participants with practitioners through guided trade-fair tours, site visits and expert talks with Deutsche Bahn and other industry partners on digitalisation, maintenance, operation, interoperability and skills development.
• Share German experience in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in rail — visiting railway training centres and generating recommendations on their institutional setup, governance and sustainable operation.
• Facilitate an African–European Industry Dialogue at InnoTrans, with discussions alongside the EU, BMZ and development banks to align strategies and explore funding opportunities.

Organised by GIZ on behalf of BMZ, within the TUMI programme, building on BMZ’s cooperation with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and in partnership with Deutsche Bahn and the European railway industry.

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