Nigeria's $6 Billion High-Speed Rail Project Clears Key Hurdles!

Nigeria's $6 billion high-speed rail project has recently made significant progress: the regulator has approved the initial business plan, and the project developer De-Sadel Nigeria Limited has submitted proof of $55 billion in initial funding supported by the Asian Development Bank. Nearly 90% of the project's approvals have been completed, with only environmental permits and other procedures remaining. It is expected to move forward within 12 months and, if smooth, break ground within a year.

The 1,600-kilometer high-speed rail network will be built in phases (with a total construction period of 36 months), connecting major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt. The travel time from Lagos to Abuja will be reduced from over 12 hours to less than 3 hours. Though mainly for passenger transport, it also caters to freight needs, relieving highway congestion and diverting some domestic air freight. Dedicated railway branches at ports and inland dry ports along the line are planned to cut logistics costs.

The project faces risks like security issues and slow land acquisition, and needs to build dedicated power facilities to ensure electricity supply for operations at 300 km/h. Procurement standards also need to be controlled. If completed as planned, Nigeria will join Africa's high-speed rail club, improve its railway system and boost trade and employment.