Poland’s biggest rail manufacturer has delivered trains to Ghana, giving the country’s railway industry an entry point into Africa as governments seek to modernise passenger services, restore freight capacity and expand rail infrastructure.

The opportunity extends beyond new trains to locomotives, traction systems, engineering and maintenance services. But Polish manufacturers must secure repeat contracts, adapt to local operating conditions and compete with established suppliers, including Chinese companies.

According to the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH), Poland’s rail-sector exports approached $2 billion in 2024. Rolling-stock parts accounted for more than $810 million, while passenger coaches and cars contributed over $710 million.

Ghana deal gives Pesa an African foothold

Ghana’s order for trains from Pesa, Poland’s largest rail vehicle manufacturer, marked the company’s first project on the African continent.

In February 2024, Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure confirmed that Ghana had ordered two diesel multiple units (DMUs), with an option to purchase another 10. The self-propelled trains were intended for passenger services on the railway connecting the port of Tema with the inland port at Mpakadan.

Delivering the trains required road transport and a 30-day sea journey. The project has since entered a three-year warranty period, with two Pesa technicians in Ghana supporting maintenance. They are expected to leave when the warranty expires.

“There were challenges in the project but not so big that we’d avoid Africa,” Pesa Vice President Piotr Wroński said during a visit to the company’s headquarters in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Wroński said the Ghana project could help reduce uncertainty for future customers outside Europe, although he cautioned against drawing conclusions about competition from a single contract.

South Africa presents a modernisation opportunity

South Africa could offer Polish suppliers opportunities in passenger fleet renewal, railway rehabilitation and specialised equipment. Pesa previously participated in a tender involving Gautrain, the country’s high-speed commuter rail system.

However, the company did not secure a foothold because the company with which it had purchase agreements was unsuccessful in the process, according to Pesa representative Jakub Zalewski.

Zalewski said South Africa’s railway infrastructure remained less developed than Europe’s but offered scope for cooperation. He pointed to Morocco, where rail development is closer to European standards, as a potential model for other African countries.

PAIH has similarly identified South Africa as a promising market for Polish suppliers, citing railway modernisation and expansion plans.

The opportunity extends beyond complete trains to traction equipment, electrical and diagnostic systems, engineering support and staff training.

Suppliers will need to match their offerings to individual projects, procurement budgets and local maintenance requirements.

Freight and passenger recovery could boost demand

South Africa’s rail recovery highlights both the potential market and the scale of the challenges. Freight rail volumes dropped from 226 million tonnes in 2017/18 to about 150 million tonnes in 2022/23, constraining exports and increasing logistics costs.

Transnet moved the equivalent of 161 million tonnes by March 2025, but volumes remained below government ambitions.

Passenger services have also improved. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa recorded 77 million passenger journeys in the 2024/25 financial year, up from 39.4 million a year earlier.

It achieved 93% of its annual performance targets, its highest score in more than a decade.

Restoring reliable, safe and accessible services across the network remains a substantial challenge.

Zalewski expects African governments to shift more investment from roads to rail over the next decade, with South Africa potentially regaining a leading position on the continent.

For Polish manufacturers, however, long-term demand will not guarantee commercial success. Ghana has demonstrated that Polish trains can reach African customers.

Repeat orders, reliable after-sales support and the ability to meet local requirements will determine whether that initial foothold develops into a lasting presence across Africa.