September 9, 2025
Cableway in Eritrea: its History and Prospects for its Revival
By: Kidanemariam Feday
The Asmara – Massawa Cableway, also known by its Italian name, Teleferica, was regarded as one of the most extraordinary engineering achievements in Africa. Constructed during the Italian colonial period, it was the longest aerial cableway of its kind in the world. Stretching nearly 71.8 kilometers across rugged mountains and valleys from Asmara to the port of Massawa, it served not only as a vital transport link but also as a symbol of modern ambition and technical ingenuity. After World War II, the British dismantled the Cableway when Eritrea was under the British Military Administration, leaving behind only memories.
