Nigeria – Kano Maradi Railway Project

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) and EnvAccord Limited (EnvAccord) were appointed by Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and its lenders to undertake an independent Environmental and Social Due Diligence (ESDD) assessment (‘the Assessment’) of a proposed dual gauge – passenger and freight railway line from Kano to Maradi which spans approximately 284km and is intended to improve transportation infrastructure between Nigeria and Niger. The Project is being developed and constructed by Mota-Engil Engenharia E Construção África (MEECA), based in Nigeria (“the Contractor”). It is noted that some aspects of E&S studies (including resettlement action planning and approval of the ESIA) are pending completion on the Niger side of the project, due to continued closed borders, restricting access to the rail alignment. This report therefore covers the E&S studies that have been conducted on the Nigerian portion of the project, and a rapid assessment (ground-truthing) of the Niger portion.