Total Project Cost
Investment Required
Stakeholders
Countries
Project Overview
Description
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.
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 freight and passengers; support implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) through improved physical infrastructure; enhance regional resilience through multiple port access options; reduce road maintenance costs through modal shift to rail; improve environmental sustainability through energy-efficient transportation; create substantial employment during construction and operation phases; and strengthen economic integration in the West African region.
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. By providing Burkina Faso and Niger with rail connections to multiple ports (Abidjan, Cotonou, and Lomé), the project enhances regional resilience and reduces dependency on single corridors. As a core infrastructure component of ECOWAS's integration agenda, the railway loop directly supports implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area by dramatically reducing transportation costs and times for cross-border trade. The project further contributes to climate change mitigation through modal shift from road to more energy-efficient rail transport, while supporting balanced regional development by connecting secondary cities along the corridors.
Technical Specifications
Technology & Design
The network will employ standard gauge (1,435mm) technology with diesel traction initially and potential electrification on high-traffic segments in the future. Advanced design features include modern signaling and train control systems, intermodal terminals at key locations, and digital management systems to optimize operations.
Capacity & Size
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. Design capacity includes freight operations of up to 30 million tons annually and passenger capacity of 15 million journeys per year.
Technical Details
Standard gauge railway (1,435mm) with axle load capacity of 25 tons; Maximum gradient of 1.5% on main routes; Maximum speed of 120 km/h for passenger services and 80 km/h for freight; Modern signaling and communications systems; Intermodal terminals at major cities and border crossings; Dedicated passenger stations with multi-modal integration; Energy-efficient locomotive specifications; Digital management systems for optimized operations
Development, Implementation & Financial Details
Development Timeline
Project definition and preliminary studies (2023-2025); Corridor-by-corridor feasibility and detailed design studies (2025-2030); Phased implementation by corridor (2028-2040)
Latest Implementation Updates
UPDATEDFinancing 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 financing from development partners; national budget allocations from participating countries; climate finance components for low-carbon transport benefits; and potential for PPP arrangements for operations and specific segments. The Abidjan-Ouagadougou segment has advanced financing arrangements, while other segments remain at earlier stages.
Capital Structure
Base infrastructure (80-85%): Sovereign financing through loans and national budget allocations; Operations and rolling stock (15-20%): Potential for private sector participation through concession arrangements and equipment leasing
Project Timeline
Start Date
January 2023
Expected Completion
December 2040
Development Timeline
Project definition and preliminary studies (2023-2025); Corridor-by-corridor feasibility and detailed design studies (2025-2030); Phased implementation by corridor (2028-2040)
Project Status History
Status 2020
Feasibility
Status 2022
Project Definition
Status 2024
Pre-Feasibility
Additional Project Details
Preparation Funding Gap
USD 60.00M
Construction Timeline
Abidjan-Ouagadougou corridor: 2028-2032; Ouagadougou-Niamey corridor: 2030-2035; Niamey-Cotonou corridor: 2032-2037; Cotonou-Lomé corridor: 2034-2038; Lomé-Ouagadougou corridor: 2035-2040
Legal & Financial Advisors
CPCS Transcom and Egis Rail providing initial technical advisory services; legal and financial advisory services pending
Market Analysis
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. Key cargo flows include agricultural exports, petroleum products, containerized consumer goods, construction materials, and mining products.
Market Demand
The fully developed railway network will have capacity for up to 30 million tons of freight annually and 15 million passenger journeys. Initial corridor capacities will be scaled to demand, with infrastructure designed for future expansion as traffic grows.
Key Stakeholders
Project Sponsor
ECOWAS Commission, UEMOA Commission
Key Parties
ECOWAS Commission, West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), National Railways of Côte d'Ivoire (SNCF-CI), Burkina Faso Railway Authority (SOPAFER-B), Niger Ministry of Transport, Benin Railways (OCBN), Togo Railways
Investors
African Development Bank, World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), AFD (France), China Exim Bank
Contractors & Operators
To be determined through international competitive bidding on a corridor-by-corridor basis
Risk Assessment
General Risk Assessment
Key risks include: financing challenges for this large-scale regional network; coordination complexities across five countries; varying implementation capacities; challenging terrain in certain sections; potential political instability in the Sahel region; and traffic demand uncertainties. Risk mitigation strategies include phased corridor-by-corridor implementation, structured regional coordination through ECOWAS mechanisms, and comprehensive traffic development initiatives.
Regulatory Risks
Requires harmonization of railway regulations, customs procedures, and technical standards across five countries. The ECOWAS and UEMOA frameworks provide foundations for regulatory alignment, but implementation challenges remain regarding consistent enforcement and operational integration.
Impact Assessment
Environmental Impact
The project will require comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessments for each corridor. Key environmental considerations include habitat protection in sensitive areas, watershed management, climate resilience measures for infrastructure in areas vulnerable to flooding and extreme temperatures, and carbon emission reduction through modal shift from road to rail transport.
Social Impact
The railway network is expected to generate approximately 80,000 direct jobs during construction and 15,000 permanent jobs during operation. Socioeconomic benefits include reduced transport costs (40-60% compared to road), improved market access for agricultural regions, enhanced urban connectivity between major cities, skills development in railway sector, and reduced isolation for landlocked countries.
Investment Opportunities
Private Sector 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. The operational frameworks being developed will provide specific structures for private participation while ensuring public interest objectives.
Next Steps & Agreements
Next Steps
Complete project definition studies; secure funding for corridor-specific feasibility studies; establish regional coordination mechanism; develop harmonized technical standards; initiate stakeholder consultations and environmental/social screenings; advance preparations on priority Abidjan-Ouagadougou corridor
Offtake Agreements
Inter-governmental agreements between the participating countries will establish operational frameworks, track access arrangements, cross-border procedures, and maintenance responsibilities. The ECOWAS and UEMOA frameworks provide regional coordination mechanisms for harmonized implementation and operations.
Contact Information
Eng. Mamoudou Harouna, Director of Infrastructure, ECOWAS Commission, Email: infrastructure@ecowas.int; Dr. Abdoulaye Zonon, Director of Infrastructure, UEMOA Commission, Email: commission@uemoa.int
