October 9, 2025
This is my second post on the 2nd International Railway Conference held in Abuja, Nigeria, September 15-16, 2025. My presentation, Railroad Expansion Imperative, Not Optional, For the Future of Nigeria and Africa was delivered on the second day of the conference. I discussed the significance of this conference from the perspective of my profession, physical economy.
On the first day of the conference, Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Ahmed Alkaliin, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, (Gas), Rt. Hon Ekperikpe Ekpo, PhD, addressed the gathering of over 1,000 attendees. They highlighted the necessity for Nigeria to expand its railway system, and utilize its abundant gas reserves to industrialize Nigeria, the most populace nation in Africa. Their presentations are excerpted below.
As a physical economist, I have emphasized for decades the importance of infrastructure, in particular, energy and rail transportation. These are the two most critical categories of hard infrastructure essential for African nations to become industrialized, replete with advanced agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
Both ministers appropriately underscored at this conference, Nigeria’s intention to use its energy resources and its expanding rail system, including a high speed rail line, to achieve industrialization. As a result, Nigeria will become a pivotal nation in West Africa and advance, The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Excerpts from Min. of Transportation
Today we meet not only to review progress, but to re-imagine the railway as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s transportation which is recognized as enabler of economic growth across jurisdictions.
This Conference seeks to assemble railway experts, industry players, and other stakeholders to share knowledge and experience across jurisdictions on emerging trends, funding opportunities, and prospects of railway services as catalyst for national development. This discussion will maximize the potential of the railway sub-sector as viable option for boosting commerce through geographical mobility and general economic growth through connectivity and collaborations.
I am glad to inform you that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration has accorded special priority to transportation in recognition of the above reality credited to transportation as gateway to the nation’s economy.
In this regard, I have considered it most expedient to highlight few key achievements by the Ministry under this Administration to expand the scope of discussions during technical sections and attract useful output to enhance the transport sector, thus:
- Facilitate accelerated execution of the 203km Kaduna-Kano on going rail modernization project from 15% at the inception of the Administration to 53%; and the 387 km Kano–Maradi, with extension to Dutse from 5% to 60%.
- While the Kaduna-Kano project will be ready for completion and commissioning by December 2026, the Kano-Maradi project will reach Katsina by December this year and be ready for completion and commissioning by March 2027.
- Successful completion of rehabilitation of Lagos-Kano Old Narrow Gauge for freight of goods from the seaports to connect to Dala Inland Dry Port to put it to use.
- Attracted foreign investors for the construction of high speed rail from Abuja-Lagos, Abuja-Kano, and Abuja-Port Harcourt, to boost nation’s infrastructural development and revenue generation profile.
Make the Railway an Economic Tool, Not Just an Asset: The focus must shift from construction alone to ensuring rail corridors serve agriculture, industry, mining, and commerce.
Around the world, railways have always been more than a transport mode. They are nation builders and Engines of Economic Transformation: In Europe, railways enabled industrial revolution. In China, they powered urbanization and export growth. In Africa, railways are emerging as the backbone of regional integration.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an enormous opportunity. But without efficient logistics, our businesses cannot compete. That is why Nigeria’s Kano–Maradi corridor is more than a railway project, it is a gateway to West Africa’s markets, opening access for Nigerian goods into Niger Republic and beyond.
As we modernize our railways, we are also positioning Nigeria as a logistics hub for West and Central Africa.
Let us envision a Nigeria where:
Our ports are seamlessly connected to factories by rail; Our highways are relieved of endless trucks; Our youth are employed building and running trains; Our neighbors see Nigeria as the hub of African rail logistics.
This is not a dream. It is a future within our grasp if we work together. Ladies and Gentlemen, the railway is the track of Nigeria’s future linking our economy, uniting our people, and securing our place in Africa and the world.
Excerpts from Min. Petroleum Resources, (Gas)
This conference is historic, not only because it brings together some of the brightest minds in infrastructure and transportation, but also because it unveils Africa’s most ambitious rail project: a 4,000 kilometer high-speed rail network capable of reaching speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour. This bold initiative will redefine connectivity across Nigeria and Africa, opening new frontiers for trade, investment, and industrial growth.
Nigeria’s story of development is incomplete without acknowledging her natural endowments. With over 209 trillion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves and a potential upside of more than 600 trillion cubic feet, Nigeria is rightly positioned as the Gas Capital of Africa, and among the top ten globally.
For decades, our economy relied on crude oil as its mainstay, while gas resources were underutilized. Gas has been repositioned as the centerpiece of Nigeria’s economic strategy — transforming it from a by-product of oil into the foundation of our industrial and economic future.
Gas is more than an energy resource; it is the engine of industrialization. It powers manufacturing, fertilizer production, petrochemicals, power generation, and clean cooking. Importantly, it also provides a sustainable and affordable energy solution for capital-intensive infrastructure like railways.
High-speed rail requires clean, reliable, and cost-effective power. Nigeria’s abundant gas resources provide that strategic solution. By expanding gas-powered electricity and fueling logistics, industries along rail corridors — including fertilizer plants, petrochemicals, material production, and compressed natural gas hubs can flourish. This will transform rail-connected cities into vibrant centers of industry, commerce, and competitiveness, while strengthening Nigeria’s role under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
These opportunities align perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes industrialization, job creation, poverty reduction, sustainable development, and infrastructure expansion.
As Nigeria leads Africa in pioneering high-speed rail, we must remember that the true engine of this transformation is energy. With our vast natural gas reserves, Nigeria can power her railways, light up industries, create new jobs, and unlock fresh opportunities for her people. This is not just about energy transition — it is about building a bridge to Nigeria’s industrial and economic prosperity.
Let us, therefore, embrace the synergy between energy and infrastructure. With visionary leadership and unwavering commitment, we can transform Nigeria into a hub of innovation, productivity, and inclusive growth.
May this conference mark the beginning of a new chapter for railway development and economic transformation in Nigeria and across Africa.
(all emphasis added)
Read below my earlier posts on this topic:
The African Integrated High Speed Rail Network-(AIHSRN) Will Revolutionize Africa’s Economies
Nigeria Expands Railroads and Strives for Self Sufficiency in Rice
Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa, who has been involved in economic development policies for Africa for 35 years. He is a teacher, writer, public speaker, consultant on Africa, and an analyst of global strategic relations. Mr. Freeman strongly believes that economic development is an essential human right. He is the creator of the blog: lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com, also publishes on: lawrencefreeman.substack.com, “Freeman’s Africa and the World, and on X @lfreemansafrica