NIGERIA has successfully secured $1.3bn in funding to advance the completion of a transformative railway project linking Kano, the northern region’s largest city, to Maradi in neighbouring Niger, announced the transport ministry on Wednesday.
The proposed railway line is poised to bolster existing economic and social ties between Nigeria and Niger, aiming to facilitate enhanced trade and cultural cooperation between the two nations. This development marks a significant milestone in regional connectivity and economic integration efforts.
According to a statement from the transport ministry, the funding consortium, spearheaded by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), will contribute 85 percent of the total project cost. The remaining 15 percent will be covered by the Nigerian government in collaboration with institutions such as the Africa Export-Import Bank and African Development Bank.
‘This securing of $1.3bn signifies a monumental step forward in the completion of this critical infrastructure,’ expressed Jamilu Ja’afaru, spokesperson for the transport ministry, emphasising the project’s importance in enhancing regional connectivity and fostering economic development.
In a separate development earlier in July, Portugal’s leading construction firm, Mota-Engil, inked an 840 million-euro ($919 million) contract to supply and finance railway rolling stock for the project. This collaboration underscores the international support and interest in advancing Nigeria’s infrastructure initiatives.
The railway project holds strategic significance for Nigeria, particularly in its efforts to revitalise the impoverished northern regions, which have long suffered from the impacts of Islamist insurgencies. Furthermore, it aligns with the government’s broader agenda to modernize the country’s transport infrastructure, which has historically hindered economic growth and development.
This initiative forms part of a comprehensive government plan to expand railway networks across Nigeria, addressing longstanding challenges posed by inadequate transport infrastructure. As Nigeria progresses with its ambitious infrastructure agenda, the completion of the Kano-Maradi railway project is poised to catalyse economic growth and foster greater regional integration.