The Regional Rail Loop is a proposed 2,928 km railway system linking Abidjan, Ouagadougou, Niamey, Cotonou and Lomé. It combines rehabilitation and modernisation of existing railway sections with construction of missing links, creating a continuous rail connection among Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin and Togo. The project is intended to improve access from the landlocked Sahel countries to the ports of Abidjan, Cotonou and Lomé and to support mineral, agricultural and industrial trade.
The project proposes a continuous rail loop connecting five West African capitals: Abidjan, Ouagadougou, Niamey, Cotonou and Lomé. The approved network length is 2,928 km, comprising approximately 1,157 km between Abidjan and Ouagadougou, 502 km between Ouagadougou and Niamey, 1,101 km between Niamey and Cotonou and 168 km between Cotonou and Lomé.
The programme involves rehabilitation and modernisation of existing railway assets, construction of missing links and development of interoperable services across Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger and Togo. The PAP II technical concept specifies standard gauge and diesel traction, although detailed studies must confirm the final technology, phasing and interoperability requirements.
The railway is intended to provide Burkina Faso and Niger with competitive access to coastal ports, improve the movement of bulk commodities and passengers and support development of mining, agricultural and industrial production. ECOWAS and UEMOA are the regional institutions responsible for coordination.
The PAP II estimate is USD 53.96 billion in CAPEX, with USD 6.9 million for technical studies and preparation. Because the programme contains existing and missing sections across five countries, a later consolidated feasibility study may materially revise its phasing and cost.
On 7 March 2024, the UEMOA Commission adopted a decision formally establishing the regional rail-loop project. UEMOA stated that the decision would facilitate the mobilisation of financing for missing links and the rehabilitation of existing lines. Its 2025-2030 strategic plan schedules studies for the rail loop.
The project aims to improve the performance and connectivity of railway transport among Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin and Togo. It is intended to provide reliable rail access between inland markets and regional ports, reduce transport costs and travel times and improve the movement of passengers and freight.
It also seeks to support mineral, agricultural and industrial development, diversify transport options, reduce pressure on roads and strengthen economic and social integration across the UEMOA and ECOWAS regions.