The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved a $100 million facility for Nigeria's Kano-Maradi Standard Gauge Railway Project. This funding will support the acquisition of rolling stock and operational equipment for the second phase of the project. The approval was granted during the bank's 101st Ordinary Meeting of its Board of Directors, held in Lomé, Togo, on September 28, 2026.
The Kano-Maradi project aims to strengthen rail connectivity between northern Nigeria and the wider West African region. The project will support the movement of people and goods, facilitating cross-border trade. Improved transport infrastructure is crucial in reducing the cost and difficulty of moving goods across the region. The rail project is a significant investment in the region's transportation sector.
The $100 million commitment to the Kano-Maradi project is part of four operations valued at $390 million approved by EBID's Board of Directors. The bank's investments focus on infrastructure and productive sectors under its new Growth, Resilience and Optimisation (GRO) Strategy for 2026-2030. This strategic plan aims to drive regional development through sustainable solutions.
In addition to the Kano-Maradi project, EBID has approved funding for other initiatives. Ghana will receive $50 million to support the supply of petroleum products and $230 million for the development of the Black Volta Gold Project. The bank has also approved $10 million for the pilot phase of the West Africa Initiative for Climate-Smart Agriculture (WAICSA), covering Ghana, Senegal, and Togo.
EBID's President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, emphasized that the investments reflect the bank's focus on financing projects with tangible economic and developmental impact. The approved operations are expected to support productive activity, strengthen regional value chains, and facilitate trade.
The approved projects align with EBID's commitment to implementing its Growth, Resilience and Optimisation Strategy 2026-2030. The bank aims to advance key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Through strategic investments in agriculture, energy, transport infrastructure, mining, and climate-smart development, EBID continues to deliver sustainable solutions that strengthen regional integration and improve living conditions for West African communities. The bank's investments are expected to create opportunities for private-sector participation and employment, ultimately contributing to the region's economic growth and development.
Key points
- EBID approves $100 million for Nigeria's Kano-Maradi Standard Gauge Railway Project
- The project aims to strengthen rail connectivity between northern Nigeria and the wider West African region
- EBID's investments focus on infrastructure and productive sectors under its new Growth, Resilience and Optimisation (GRO) Strategy for 2026-2030
