Abidjan -- Ouagadougou -- Niamey -- Cotonou -- Lomé Regional Rail Loop Project
USD 9,600.00M
Total Cost
25%
Progress
4
Stakeholders
5
Countries
Project Definition
Project Stage
Project Overview
Development of an integrated standard gauge railway network connecting the major cities of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Niamey (Niger), Cotonou (Benin), and Lomé (Togo), creating a regional railway loop to enhance connectivity, facilitate trade, and promote economic integration in West Africa.
Key Objectives
Establish a modern standard gauge railway network connecting five West African countries to enhance regional connectivity; provide landlocked countries (Burkina Faso and Niger) with efficient rail access to multiple coastal ports; reduce transportation costs and times for international and domestic ...
Strategic Importance
The Regional Rail Loop represents a transformative initiative for West African integration, creating an interconnected railway network that provides multiple access corridors for landlocked countries and strengthens the economic ties between coastal and inland states.
Technical Specifications
Technology: The network will employ standard gauge (1,435mm) technology with diesel traction initially and potential electrification on high-traffic segments in the future.
Capacity: The railway network will extend approximately 3,600 km across five countries: Abidjan-Ouagadougou corridor: 1,200 km; Ouagadougou-Niamey corridor: 500 km; Niamey-Cotonou corridor: 900 km; Cotonou-Lomé corridor: 150 km; Lomé-Ouagadougou corridor: 850 km.
Capacity: The railway network will extend approximately 3,600 km across five countries: Abidjan-Ouagadougou corridor: 1,200 km; Ouagadougou-Niamey corridor: 500 km; Niamey-Cotonou corridor: 900 km; Cotonou-Lomé corridor: 150 km; Lomé-Ouagadougou corridor: 850 km.
Financing Structure
The project will utilize a phased sovereign financing approach on a corridor-by-corridor basis, with: multilateral development bank financing (AfDB, World Bank); bilateral financin...
Market Analysis
The regional corridors currently handle approximately 25 million tons of freight annually, primarily via road transport with high costs and reliability challenges. Detailed studies on the Abidjan-Ouagadougou corridor indicate potential railway freight demand of 5 million tons by 2030, with similar potential on other corridors.
Investment Opportunities
Significant opportunities exist for private sector participation in railway operations, rolling stock procurement and maintenance, station commercial development, logistics facilities, maintenance services, and digital systems.
Key Stakeholders
Sponsor: ECOWAS Commission, UEMOA Commission
Partners: ECOWAS Commission, West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), National Railways of Côte d'Iv...
Partners: ECOWAS Commission, West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), National Railways of Côte d'Iv...
For More Information, Contact:
Christelle Onana
christellen@auda-nepad.org
Bernard Brian Cudjoe
bernardc@auda-nepad.org
www.au-pida.org
Christelle Onana
christellen@auda-nepad.org
Bernard Brian Cudjoe
bernardc@auda-nepad.org
www.au-pida.org