The China Development Bank (CDB) has approved a €245 million ($254.76 million) loan to fund the Kano-Kaduna railway project in Nigeria, ensuring the seamless continuation of its construction.
The 203-kilometer standard-gauge railway will connect Kano, a key commercial hub in northern Nigeria, to Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Upon completion, it is expected to provide safer and more efficient transportation, improve regional connectivity, and foster economic growth by spurring industrial development along the corridor.
The project, executed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, is part of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The CDB stepped in as the financier after the China Exim Bank withdrew.
Construction is reportedly progressing well, with the bank committed to effective disbursement and management of subsequent funds.
President Bola Tinubu had previously assured Nigerians of the project’s completion, with the Federal Government allocating N44.4 billion in 2025 for railway projects, including the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan lines.
The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, is set to visit Abuja this week to strengthen ties between Nigeria and China.
