Türkiye Expands Global Railway Expertise Through Training and High-Speed Network

Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, said Türkiye now shares its railway expertise internationally through the Türkiye Railway Academy, training personnel from Africa and Asia. The country’s rail network has grown to nearly 14,000 kilometres, includes high-speed rail, and Türkiye plays a key regional role through the International Union of Railways.

Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, has said that Türkiye has reached a stage where it not only develops its own railway infrastructure but also shares its technical knowledge and construction experience with other countries. He explained that the country now provides structured training programmes for railway personnel from Africa and Asia, reflecting Türkiye’s growing role in international railway development and cooperation.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Uraloğlu said that during the past year, railway workers from countries including Tunisia, Libya, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, and Jordan participated in training programmes focused on essential aspects of railway operations. These programmes covered areas such as track construction, routine and advanced maintenance, repair works, and the installation and upkeep of railway switch systems, all of which are critical for safe and efficient rail transport.
He noted that Türkiye has now positioned itself as a country that actively shares its accumulated experience in railway construction with international partners. According to him, the Türkiye Railway Academy plays a central role in this effort by offering construction and technical training to railway authorities from different parts of the world. Within this framework, Uraloğlu stated that last year alone, railway personnel from Syria, Jordan, Tunisia, Libya, Kyrgyzstan, Tanzania, and Sudan received specialised instruction in superstructure maintenance and repair, as well as in switch maintenance, enabling them to apply modern railway standards in their home countries.
The minister added that Türkiye’s support goes beyond training programmes, as consultancy services have also been extended to other countries. He said that Azerbaijan received technical consultancy assistance to help establish its own railway academy, while Syrian railway staff were provided with additional training in construction and line maintenance. This support, he explained, forms part of broader efforts to rehabilitate and rebuild Syria’s damaged railway infrastructure and restore its transport capacity.
Uraloğlu further explained that the Türkiye Railway Academy, which was established in 2020, was created with the aim of meeting the sector’s growing need for skilled and qualified personnel. He said the academy provides practice-based professional training alongside online learning programmes, ensuring that trainees gain both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. In addition, he noted that the academy contributes to preserving institutional memory and strengthening overall sector expertise through the country’s state railway operator, Turkish State Railways.
Providing historical background, the minister recalled that the development of railways within the borders of modern-day Türkiye dates back to 1856, when construction began on the İzmir–Aydın railway line. He added that the Hejaz Railway Project, which Sultan Abdulhamid II regarded as a major priority and personally supported, represented a significant milestone that contributed to the social, cultural, and economic development of the Ottoman territories.
He also noted that Türkiye’s railway network expanded considerably during the early years of the republic and has experienced renewed momentum in recent years under large-scale infrastructure expansion policies implemented during the administration of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. According to Uraloğlu, these efforts have brought the country’s total railway network length to nearly 14,000 kilometres.
In addition, the minister said that Türkiye has joined a relatively small group of countries that operate high-speed rail systems, ranking eighth in the world and sixth in Europe in terms of adopting this advanced technology. He stressed that this achievement highlights Türkiye’s growing technical capacity and commitment to modern rail transport.
Uraloğlu further pointed out that the General Manager of the State Railways of the Republic of Türkiye, Veysi Kurt, currently serves as the chair of the Middle East Regional Assembly of the International Union of Railways. He said this position further strengthens cooperation among countries in the region and contributes to improved railway connectivity and collaboration across the Middle East.