Ghana-Nigeria Railway Connection on the Horizon
The Minister for Railway Development, John Peter Amewu, recently affirmed the government’s dedication to connecting Ghana’s railway networks with those of neighboring countries. Speaking at the 2025 Africa Prosperity Dialogues launch in Accra, he highlighted the ongoing efforts to modernize and expand the railway network across the ECOWAS bloc.
One of the key projects in this endeavor is the Trans-ECOWAS line, which would link Lomé to Ivory Coast. Feasibility studies have been conducted to support this initiative. Additionally, a joint development train project between Ghana and Burkina Faso, initiated by President Akufo Addo, aimed to establish a railway from Tema through Mpakadan, the Volta Region, Tamale, Paga, and onwards to Burkina Faso. However, this project faced setbacks due to political changes in Burkina Faso.
Minister Amewu acknowledged that implementing such projects often requires Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), citing a viability gap of over $1.2 billion identified within the Ghana-Burkina Faso railway project. Despite these challenges, he expressed confidence in the feasibility of a railway connecting Ghana to Nigeria, emphasizing that progress is contingent on closing the viability gap.
He stated, “Traveling by train from Ghana to Nigeria is possible; we’ve already begun constructing a railway to Burkina Faso, so why not Nigeria? As we expand our network and improve infrastructure, connecting with Nigeria, which holds significant economic potential, becomes increasingly viable.”
The government’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity through railway development signifies a significant step towards fostering economic growth and cooperation within the ECOWAS region.