THE Nigerian Federal Executive Council has approved $US 1.96bn in funding for the construction of the 284km cross-border Kano – Katsina – Jibia – Maradi line, which includes a 93km branch from Kano to Dutse

The single-track standard-gauge line will provide a connection from southern Niger to the Nigerian network, allowing access to the Lagos and Lekki Port.

The Kano – Maradi line will run through the Kano, Jigawa and Katsina federal states in northern Nigeria and Maradi in Niger, while the branch line will connect the capital of Jigawa state with Kano. Mota-Engil, Portugal, has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build the line, which is expected to have 12 stations.