Nigeria has successfully secured $1.3 billion in funding for a pivotal railway project that aims to connect Kano, Nigeria’s northern economic hub, with Maradi in Niger.
This development, announced by the transport ministry on Wednesday, is expected to enhance economic and social connections, facilitating trade and cultural exchanges between the two nations.
The project’s financing is primarily supported by a consortium led by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), which is contributing 85% of the total cost. The Nigerian government, along with institutions such as the Africa Export-Import Bank and the African Development Bank, will cover the remaining 15%.
Jamilu Ja’afaru, a spokesperson for the transport ministry, described the funding acquisition as “a monumental step forward” for the project’s completion. In addition to this funding, Mota-Engil, Portugal’s largest construction firm, signed an 840 million-euro contract in July to supply and finance railway rolling stock for the project.
This railway initiative is part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to rejuvenate the economically disadvantaged northern regions, which have suffered from a decade of conflict due to Islamist insurgencies.
It also aligns with the government’s comprehensive strategy to develop nationwide rail networks to overcome the longstanding challenges posed by inadequate transport infrastructure, aiming to catalyze economic growth across the country.
