Western Mining Railway Line: Algeria Opens a New Logistics Corridor to West Africa
Stretching over 950 km, the new Western Mining Railway Line linking Béchar to Gara Djebilet via Béni Abbès and Tindouf is emerging as a strategic backbone for Algeria’s logistical integration with West Africa. Officially launched by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the project aims to reduce transport costs, unlock Algeria’s southwest regions, and accelerate cross-border trade.
A structuring route serving African markets
According to Youcef Ghazi, President of the Algerian–Mauritanian Business Council, the Béchar–Béni Abbès–Tindouf–Gara Djebilet railway provides fast and operational access to African markets via Tindouf, a key gateway to Mauritania and, beyond, West Africa.
Designed as an economic corridor, the line will enable public and private operators to move goods at optimized costs toward the Algerian–Mauritanian border, while facilitating onward flows to West African markets. For regional logistics, this represents a step change: a shift from long, costly road routes to a rail solution capable of handling large volumes, particularly for mining bulk and industrial cargo.
Unlocking the southwest and connecting to northern ports
Beyond its international dimension, the project plays a critical role in regional development. The new line connects several landlocked areas in Algeria’s southwest to the national rail network, northern ports, and major industrial and steel complexes.
This interconnection creates a seamless logistics chain from mining sites to port terminals, strengthening export competitiveness and shortening supply chains. For the territories along the route, the impact is immediate: improved market access, stronger investor appeal, and a boost to local economic activity.
A cornerstone for Tindouf’s future free trade zone
The railway is also a key pillar of the future Tindouf Free Trade Zone, whose foundation stone was laid in February 2024 by the Algerian and Mauritanian presidents. The platform is expected to become a regional hub for trade between Algeria, Mauritania, and West African countries.
It will be complemented by the Tindouf–Zouerate road, currently under construction and stretching more than 800 km. Together, rail and road connectivity are set to reinforce Algerian exports, streamline cross-border flows, and stimulate joint investment between the two countries.
Expected impact on the regional supply chain
Operationally, several structural effects are anticipated:
- lower logistics costs for mining, industrial, and commercial flows,
- increased mass transport capacity through rail,
- improved reliability of lead times to West Africa,
- development of logistics platforms around Tindouf.
The railway’s proximity to the Mauritanian border is also expected to drive stronger bilateral trade while positioning Algeria as a key player in North–South African corridors.
Redrawing North–West African trade routes
With this project, Algeria is doing more than building mining infrastructure—it is reshaping part of the region’s logistics geography. By linking southern production basins to northern ports and West African markets, the Western Mining Railway Line lays the foundations for an integrated corridor combining rail, road, and economic zones.
In the medium term, success will depend on network interoperability, rail service performance, and the emergence of logistics ecosystems around Tindouf. If these conditions are met, the corridor could become one of the new engines of intra-African trade between North Africa and West Africa.
