Active Development AidData Chinese Aid

China Eximbank pledges $1.35 billion loan for Kaduna-Kano Section of the Lagos-Kano Railway Modernization Project (Linked to Record ID 102671, #1844, #60848, and #195)

$1.36M USD

Funder	Export-Import Bank of China (China Eximbank)
Recipient Organization	Government of Nigeria
Country	Nigeria
Start Date	Jan 01, 2017
End Date	Oct 15, 2030
Duration	5,035 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`60850`

Grant Description

China Eximbank pledges $1.35 billion loan for Kaduna-Kano Section of the Lagos-Kano Railway Modernization Project In 2017, Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, appeared before the country’s Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts and announced that the Government of Nigeria would obtain a $1,355,508,426.60 loan from China Eximbank for the Kaduna-Kano Section of the Lagos-Kano Railway Modernization Project.

The total cost of the project was to be $1,685,319,085. The Nigerian Federal Government's contribution was to be $329,810,658.40.

However, China Eximbank withdrew from funding the railway in 2020, citing concerns over repayment and the Covid-19 pandemic. China Development Bank later approved funding for the project in 2025. (captured in Record #102671). This project involves the modernization of a 305 km railway segment from Kaduna to Kano.

This China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) is the contractor responsible for implementation. This project began implementation on July 22, 2020.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Lagos-Kano Railway Modernization Project are captured in Record ID#195 and Record ID#60848, respectively.

📋 Staff Comments

This project is also known as Phase 3a of the Lagos-Kano Railway Modernization Project or Segment 3a of the Lagos-Kano Railway Modernization Project.
Funding was never fully committed or disbursed by China Eximbank; therefore, this project is status-coded as Pipeline: Pledge despite the commencement of construction.

📚 Sources & References

Senate Approves $1.806 Billion Loan for Rail Projects
尼交通部长称阿卡铁路即将投入运营，其他铁路项目正常推进
U.S.$4,500,000,000 Global Medium Term Note Programme, 12/30/2018 Federal Ministry of T ransportation http://transportation.gov .ng/index.php/component/content/article/9-uncategorised/207-minister -of-transportation-appears-before-the-senate-committee-on-local-and-f ... 1 / 3 Search Home About us Parastatals Media & Publications News&Events Contact us Services
Amaechi appears before senate committee, clarifies issues on railway modernization projects
Minister of Transportation appears before the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts
Clarifies Issues on Railway Modernization Projects
Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway
FG kicks-off Lagos-Kano railway project
FG kicks-off Lagos-Kano railway project
FG to pay $318m as counterpart funding on Ibadan-Kano SGR project
Work set to start on multibillion-naira Kano-Kaduna Rail upgrade
Govt Lists Beneficiaries of $22.7bn Loan
Construction of the Kaka Railway in Nigeria, undertaken by Chinese enterprises, began
Nigeria says China has held off its pledged financing for 2 railway projects
Nigerian rail projects drive home China's belt and road commitment to African infrastructure development
SENATE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ORDER PAPER - 9TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOURTH SESSION NO. 85 Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.

All Grantees

Government of Nigeria

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