Kano-Katsina Rail Project on Fast Track: December Completion Looms for Transformative Infrastructure

The federal government has reaffirmed its unwavering determination to complete and commission the ambitious 284-kilometre Kano-Katsina railway project by December 2026. This assurance comes despite a series of challenges encountered during its development, including issues of insecurity, protracted land disputes, and the seasonal slowdown in construction activities caused by the rainy season. The commitment was articulated during a comprehensive joint inspection of the project on Thursday, which brought together key officials from the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Federal Ministry of Finance, representatives from various lending institutions, and the project contractor.

During the inspection, officials provided a crucial update on the progress of this strategic rail corridor, confirming that the physical completion level has now reached approximately 80 per cent. A significant milestone achieved during the visit was the successful test running of the completed track section spanning from Kazuare in Jigawa State to Daura in Katsina State, demonstrating tangible progress on the ground and bolstering confidence in the project's viability.

Speaking on the sidelines of the inspection, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, emphasized that the project remains firmly on course despite the earlier setbacks. He acknowledged that while the rainy season had led to a slight deceleration in construction work, substantial progress had already been made. Engr. Adebiyi, whose remarks were echoed by Engr. Habibat Buhari, Director of Rail Transport Services, confirmed that materials essential for track laying have been diligently stockpiled at the project camp, ensuring readiness for accelerated work. He highlighted that while insecurity in certain sections of the corridor and disputes over land and canal areas were major issues affecting the construction pace, these challenges were merely temporary delays and would not halt the project's ultimate completion. The government is actively intensifying engagement with affected communities and stakeholders to resolve all land-related disputes, thereby enabling contractors to access and work on the impacted sections.

Further bolstering the project's financial stability, Alhaji Muhammadu Kamal, Director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, confirmed that government releases of funds have been consistent and timely. He stated that the federal government has already released its 15 per cent counterpart funding, demonstrating its commitment to fulfilling financial obligations under the project agreement. The financing structure for the railway is a blend of loan facilities and this 15 per cent federal government counterpart funding, with the remaining 85 per cent covered by international financing facilities.

The international support for the project was underscored by Siya Biniza, Senior Country Officer and representative of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). Biniza disclosed that DBSA has invested approximately $250 million in the project, recognizing it as a strategic infrastructure investment with immense potential to generate significant economic benefits for northern Nigeria and the broader West African region. He further noted that the inspection served as concrete evidence of the substantial financial resources already committed to and deployed in the project.

Reaffirming its dedication, Mota-Engil Nigeria, the project contractor, represented by its Chief Financial Officer, Vladislav Bystrenko, committed to delivering the Kano-Katsina section by the December 2026 deadline. Bystrenko also provided an update on the project's broader scope, indicating that the extension from Katsina to Maradi in the Niger Republic is slated for completion by the end of 2027. With the Kano-Katsina corridor currently at about 80 per cent completion, all parties expressed confidence in meeting the target for commissioning by December 2026, with efforts ongoing to ensure the timely arrival of required rolling stock.