Time in China gives boost to African train drivers' careers

Awaleh Mohamed Houssein received his railway uniform — a protective vest — from his tutor a few months ago and put it on, ready to begin his hands-on training in China.

The 34-year-old from Djibouti, Africa, said it had been exciting to board a train on line K596, between the Henan province cities of Zhengzhou and Shangqiu, and observe its driver. Houssein was part of the second batch of trainees from Ethiopia and Djibouti to learn how to operate a train at Zhengzhou Railway Vocational and Technical College.

The 28 trainees received six months of systematic training in a simulator and on the track, which Houssein said had left him impressed.

From summer to winter, they experienced different weather in Henan. Li Shuying, one of their tutors in Zhengzhou, said their training ended earlier this month and they had since returned home to spend the Christmas holiday with their families.

The Chinese-built Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway runs from the Ethiopian capital to the Red Sea coast.

Mainly hauling freight, it was the first modern electric railway in Africa and also the first railway on the continent to adopt Chinese standards for technology and equipment.

In operation since 2018, it has helped promote the development of the East African economy.

"I had already driven a train for more than 3 years, almost for 4 years, in my country, but now I feel this experience has improved us a lot," Houssein said, adding that the trainees had arrived in Zhengzhou in July.

The sole female trainee, 28-year-old Tilahun Anketsebrhan Girma, said: "It was a good chance to become a better driver. Sometimes, I feel a little tired, but I enjoy it."

Girma, from Ethiopia, said the railway had made her dream come true, and the training they received in China would allow them to continue their careers with better skills.

She said she had seen how the railway line had changed her country in her five years as a train driver. It had shortened the transit time between Ethiopia and Djibouti from a week to less than a day, she said.

"This was my first time to come to China," Girma said.

"Thanks to my Chinese teacher, I have acquired a lot of electric railway skills and professional knowledge, and I would like to share my experience with the people around me."

Li said the training had helped the trainees improve their understanding of the technical regulations in train operation.

Qi Xin in Zhengzhou contributed to this story.