Project

Kano–Maradi Railway (Kaduna–Kano & Kano–Daura–Katsina sections)

NigeriaRailway, Rail Infrastructure, Cross-Border InfrastructureReviewed 10 September 2026

Federal standard-gauge rail project delivered by the Nigerian Railway Corporation. Construction is achieved-in-progress at 35% physical completion. $1.8bn Rand Merchant Bank financing package confirmed (~June 2026); a further $350m AfDB facility is also cited. Full drawdown is not yet achieved — reporting explicitly notes funds from other financial partners have yet to be released. Target commissioning December 2026 for these two sections specifically is a forecast, not yet achieved, and carries real slippage risk given comparable Nigerian rail/gas delivery-timeline precedent (see AKK Gas Pipeline).

Status

Under ConstructionStatus
Main Works Contracts Procured / Financing Structure Under DevelopmentProcurement Status

Value

USD 1.9 billionProject Value

Scale & Capacity

35 %Physical completion

Overview

Location
Kano, Kaduna and Katsina States, Nigeria (line continues to Maradi, Niger Republic)
Financing
85% (~$1.6bn) loan-financed (Rand Merchant Bank, 50-year tenor), 15% Nigerian government counterpart contribution; supplementary $350m African Development Bank facility
Scale / Scope
374 km federal standard-gauge rail line connecting Kano to Maradi (Niger Republic) via Kaduna, Daura and Katsina. Represented as one record covering the Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Daura–Katsina sections together — both delivered under the same financed, one-EPC-programme package, with no distinct procurement/financing event separating them in the evidence found.

Project Developments

  • Project · 11 June 2026Federal Ministry of Finance and Rand Merchant Bank secure $1.8bn financing for Kano–Maradi Railway

    The Federal Ministry of Finance and Rand Merchant Bank confirmed a $1.8bn financing package for the Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Daura–Katsina rail sections. Full drawdown of the financing is not yet achieved — reporting explicitly notes funds from other financial partners have yet to be released.

Participants & Roles

Sponsor / Developer

Procuring Authority

Lender / Financier

Sources
  • allAfrica / Leadership NG — RMB $1.8bn financing for Kano–Maradi (~11 June 2026)Industry / Trade Source
  • Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation — Dec 2026 commissioning target, on-schedule statementOfficial / Government
  • Businessday NG / Nairametrics — 35% completion figureIndustry / Trade Source