🇳🇬🇳🇪 A temporary halt to the Nigeria-Niger rail project

With rumors of a Nigeria-led ECOWAS military intervention in Niger, joint projects between the two countries are on hold, including the Kano-Maradi rail line.

The project, contracted to Mota-Engil, would link Kano, Nigeria's second largest city, with Maradi, the second largest city of Niger.

In between, notable cities such as Katsina and Daura, home to former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, would also be linked.

Trade, transport and family links along the proposed line are substantial, and would be a major connectivity boost to the world market for Niger. A 2018 World Bank study concluded that the railway would generate billions of dollars for the region.

The Nigerian government will presumably continue with its domestic section of the project, but not extend the project to Maradi until the current crisis with Niamey is resolved.