Nigeria’s ambitious $60 billion bullet train plan has taken a major step forward, with formal approval processes now underway. The project envisions a 4,000 km high-speed rail network linking Lagos in the west to Port Harcourt in the east.
Construction will be led by Abuja-based logistics firm De-Sadel Nigeria, with China Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings providing the main financing. Both companies presented proof of funds this week, confirming their readiness to move ahead. De-Sadel aims to complete and open sections of the line within three years.
The trains will be powered by natural gas infrastructure developed in partnership with Nigeria’s petroleum ministry, marking a shift towards cleaner energy use in the country’s transport sector.
If completed, the network would be Nigeria’s most extensive and technologically advanced rail system, significantly reducing travel times, boosting trade, and enhancing connectivity across the southern corridor.