The transportation of goods to Niger is becoming more competitive, with the ports of the Gulf of Guinea and major land corridors in the Sahel vying for dominance. Nigeria is working to strengthen its role in this growing contest. The African Development Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) recently approved $100 million to fund the rolling stock and equipment needed for the Kano–Maradi railway line, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. This nearly 400 km, standard gauge railway will connect Kano in northern Nigeria to Maradi in southern Niger. It is designed to transport about 9,300 passengers and 3,000 tons of goods daily. The project aims to create a rail link between two historically connected economic regions through cross-border exchanges and to give Nigeria an additional infrastructure to boost trade with its landlocked neighbor. Niger, which has no access to the sea, relies on overland routes through coastal countries for many of its imports and international trade. Current routes include corridors leading to the ports of Cotonou in Benin, Lomé in Togo, and Tema in Ghana. The Kano–Maradi railway could offer an alternative to these routes by linking northern Nigeria to southern Niger. For Nigeria, the challenge is to increase its influence in the transportation of goods to the region. However, simply having a new route does not guarantee that traffic will shift to Nigeria. Transport operators choose corridors based on cost, speed, security, and the reliability of the entire logistics chain. The Kano–Maradi line will need to prove itself as a viable and competitive option in this landscape. The Kano–Maradi project is part of a larger initiative to modernize Nigeria’s railway network, which began several years ago to reduce the country's reliance on road transport. Road transport still handles a significant portion of passenger and freight movement, but the expansion of rail is expected to encourage a shift in transportation modes and improve the flow of goods within the country. The strategy involves building new lines and gradually converting existing infrastructure to standard gauge. The Kano–Maradi line adds a transboundary element to this plan by extending the Nigerian network into Niger. The EBID funding follows a previous $180 million investment approved in April 2025 for Mota-Engil Nigeria, a Portuguese company responsible for developing the project. This new funding is specifically for the rolling stock and equipment required for the railway’s operation. Nigeria’s railway expansion is part of a broader push to modernize its transport and logistics infrastructure, particularly in the port sector. The country is investing in the expansion and modernization of existing ports such as Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Onne, as well as developing new port and logistics facilities. However, the construction of the Kano–Maradi railway alone may not be enough to significantly alter the flow of trade in Niger. The competitiveness of a transportation corridor depends on the entire supply chain, from the movement of goods to their handling at borders and final delivery. The new railway must offer costs and delivery times that are attractive compared to existing routes. Factors like the availability of trains, the frequency of service, smooth border crossings, and the quality of logistics services will be critical in attracting shippers. Security is also a major concern, as the region faces risks that could disrupt operations and raise costs.