Nigeria’s $60bn bullet train to link Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt
Nigeria is set to embark on an ambitious infrastructure project that will see the construction of a 4,000-kilometre high-speed rail line, popularly referred to as a bullet train, alongside gas development initiatives.
The project will be executed by De-Sadel Nigeria Limited in partnership with China Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings Limited, and is expected to be completed within 36 months of commencement.
At a briefing in Abuja, Samuel Uko, Chief Executive Officer of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, presented a $60 billion proof of funds to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume. He explained that the high-speed rail will cover four major cities, Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, with construction phased to allow portions of the network to become operational before completion.
The 1,600 kilometres that cover the country’s four major cities will take us 36 months to build. But we won’t wait until the 36th month. As we progress through the states, residents of completed sections will begin to enjoy the speed train,” Uko said.
He disclosed that the funding will come from the Asian Development Investment Bank, with the first phase estimated at $55 billion. According to him, the project received almost 90% of the necessary approvals under the current administration, after nearly a decade of planning.
Highlighting the link between gas development and the rail project, Uko noted that energy infrastructure is critical:
“You cannot develop high-speed rail without developing the gas aspect of the economy. The raw material for high-speed rail is power, and the raw material for power is gas. We must expand our gas sector to power this transformative project.”
In response, SGF George Akume described the proposal as a welcome development and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to scrutinising the proof of funds in line with global best practices.
“This administration is business-friendly, but we must ensure that partnerships are reliable, credible, and beneficial to all parties. The $60 billion proof of funds submitted will be critically reviewed to guarantee the viability and timelines of the bullet train project,” Akume said.
If approved, the high-speed rail line is expected to revolutionise transportation, boost industrialisation, and strengthen Nigeria’s gas economy, positioning the country as a major hub for modern rail transport in Africa.
