RMB Nigeria Secures $1.8 Billion Financing for Kano–Maradi Railway to Boost West Africa Trade Connectivity
RMB Nigeria has successfully structured a $1.8 billion financing package for the development of the Kano–Maradi railway, one of West Africa’s most important cross-border infrastructure projects.
The deal positions RMB Nigeria as a key financier of strategic transport infrastructure aimed at strengthening trade links between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger while promoting broader regional economic integration.
Acting as Global Coordinator and Initial Mandated Lead Arranger, RMB Nigeria structured the financing for Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance to support the construction of the 374-kilometre railway corridor linking Kano in northern Nigeria to Maradi in Niger.
The railway is expected to improve the movement of goods and passengers across borders, reduce logistics costs, and open new trade and investment opportunities across the region.
It is also expected to support industrial growth and economic activity along the corridor.
According to Chidi Iwuchukwu, Executive Director and Head of Investment Banking at RMB Nigeria, the transaction highlights the bank’s ability to deliver complex cross-border infrastructure financing across Africa.
“This transaction connects regional economies and supports trade and development in the region,” he said, noting that RMB deployed expertise in syndication, structured finance and infrastructure advisory to assemble the funding package.
The project also benefited from collaboration with key partners, including Africa Finance Corporation, which supported the transaction over a three-year period, and engineering contractor Mota-Engil Africa, a major player in large-scale infrastructure delivery across the continent.
Based in Lagos and part of the FirstRand Group, RMB Nigeria provides advisory, financing and investment services to corporates and institutional clients.
Under the leadership of CEO Bayo Ajayi, the bank continues to expand its footprint in infrastructure finance, supporting projects that enhance regional connectivity and economic resilience.
RMB Nigeria has also met the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation requirements for merchant banks, strengthening its capital base and positioning it to play a larger role in financing Nigeria’s infrastructure and broader economic development agenda.
