PRASA Gibela Deal Boosts South African Rail Industry

The PRASA Gibela deal, valued at approximately $2.75 billion, is reshaping South Africa’s rail sector by fueling local supply chains and international exports. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

PRASA Gibela Expands Local Manufacturing and Exports

The PRASA Gibela partnership between Alstom and uBumbano Rail has delivered 275 of the planned 600 six-car trainsets.

Don’t miss…Warrington Rail Junction Transformed During May Upgrade Works

It has also accelerated local manufacturing, with more than 60% of components now sourced domestically.

According to Thabiso Komako, incoming CEO of Alstom Ubunye, the deal has enabled the creation of entirely new suppliers for the rail industry.

Many of these businesses, originally in automotive or aerospace, have diversified into rail due to this contract.

Several companies now export rail components to Alstom’s global projects, having gained recognition through its supplier system.

This international visibility has placed South African firms on a competitive global platform.

PRASA Gibela Spurs Digital Tools and New Contracts

Alstom Ubunye, originally founded as Union Carriage and Wagon in 1957, now plays a central role in this transformation.

After its full acquisition by Alstom in 2016, the company began expanding beyond the consortium, securing new clients like Transnet.

The company also provides maintenance services and digital systems for all rolling stock, including non-Alstom trains.

While over 300 trainsets remain in the pipeline, the government’s focus on rail signaling upgrades could trigger additional orders.

Improved signaling would increase train speeds from 30–40 km/h to the intended 120 km/h design rate.

Komako believes the initial vision of 1,200 trainsets could become a reality if the current success continues.

Source: cbn.co.za

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: