The China Development Bank (CDB) has approved a €245 million ($254.76 million) loan to support Nigeria’s Kano-Kaduna railway project, a key infrastructure initiative under the Belt and Road framework.

In a statement published on its website Tuesday, the CDB said, “The bank has recently granted a loan of €245 million to the Kano-Kaduna railway project in Nigeria, providing financial support for the smooth progress of the project.”

The 203-kilometre standard-gauge railway will connect Kano, a major northern commercial hub, to the nation’s capital, Abuja. The project aims to enhance regional connectivity, ease transportation challenges, and spur economic development along its corridor.

Construction is being handled by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), with CDB financing the initiative after replacing the China Exim Bank, which initially withdrew from the project.

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The CDB reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with Nigerian authorities for the efficient disbursement of funds.
“Going forward, [the CDB] will closely coordinate with Nigerian partners to ensure the smooth disbursement of subsequent loans and effective post-loan management,” the bank added.

The project aligns with broader government priorities, including the ongoing Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan railway developments.
Last year, President Bola Tinubu assured Nigerians of the administration’s determination to deliver the larger Ibadan-Abuja-Kano rail network, describing it as “critical to improving national transportation and economic integration.”

The railway is also expected to generate employment opportunities during its construction and operation phases, further contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth.