Great plan of railway construction and rehabilitation of infrastructures are actively executed in eastern African countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti and others.

Having huge railway transportation system expansion in terms of both new lines construction and renovation of the old lines in Eastern and Southern Africa, the need for advanced study in the fields of railway system education and research is found fundamental. Hence, under the support of WBG, Addis Ababa University/Addis Ababa Institute of Technology has designed and developed African Railway Education and Research Institute (ARERI) to train African students in railway disciplines. ARERI is responsible for creating skilled work force in railway fields by establishing a well-organized education and research institute under the foundation of already existing Railway Engineering Center.