President Mamadi Doumbouya met with WABTEC CEO Rafael Santana following the signing of a strategic contract for the acquisition of ES43ACi locomotives for the Trans-Guinean railway, a crucial step forward in the development of the Simandou iron ore project.
The meeting, attended by high-level officials including Minister Secretary General of the Presidency General Amara Camara, Minister and Chief of Staff Djiba Diakité, and Minister of Mines and Geology Bouna Sylla, underscored the significance of this agreement.
“Guinea must no longer be just some country rich in natural resources, but a destination where wealth primarily benefits the sovereign people,” declared President Doumbouya, reaffirming his commitment to sustainable and responsible development.
WABTEC CEO Santana pledged concrete commitments, including the establishment of a locomotive maintenance training center in Guinea to facilitate skills transfer and foster local expertise. The agreement emphasizes close collaboration between WABTEC and key mining partners—WCS, BAOWU, and RIO TINTO/SIMFER—under the umbrella of the Trans-Guinean Company (CTG).
President Doumbouya acknowledged the crucial role of U.S. support in advancing the Simandou project, emphasizing the importance of international solidarity in bringing this vital infrastructure project to fruition.
This agreement marks a significant milestone in the development of the Simandou iron ore project, which has the potential to transform Guinea’s economy and contribute to the country’s sustainable development.
AC/lb/abj/APA