The China Development Bank (CDB) has approved a €245 million ($254.76 million) loan to support the construction of Nigeria’s Kano-Kaduna railway project.
This announcement was made on Tuesday via the bank’s official website, signaling a renewed commitment to the completion of this vital infrastructure.The Kano-Kaduna railway, a 203-kilometer standard-gauge line, is set to connect Kano, a major commercial hub in northern Nigeria, with the nation’s capital, Abuja.
Once completed, the railway is expected to offer safer and more efficient transportation while boosting regional connectivity.Beyond improving mobility, the project is anticipated to stimulate economic growth by encouraging industrial development along its corridor.
It is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities during its construction phase and subsequent operations.
As a designated project under the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, the railway is being executed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, with financing provided by the CDB. The CDB expressed its commitment to ensuring the seamless disbursement of funds and effective management of subsequent phases.
“The bank will closely coordinate with Nigerian partners to ensure smooth progress and post-loan management,” it stated. The CDB replaced the China Exim Bank as the primary financier after the latter withdrew from the project.
President Bola Tinubu has pledged to prioritize the completion of the railway, along with other key infrastructure projects. The Federal Government has allocated N44.4 billion this year for railway developments, including the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan lines.
Meanwhile, Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister and a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, is scheduled to visit Abuja on Wednesday. His visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and China, with discussions expected to cover ongoing collaborative projects like the Kano-Kaduna railway.
