The government of the Nigerian state of Lagos is set to advance with the state’s Purple light rail line after having secured funding commitments for the project.

The move was announced by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu following his presentation of the scheme at the annual Africa Investment Forum Market Days event held in early December in Morocco. The programme brought together project sponsors, government leaders and investors to advance promising schemes on the continent toward deal closure.

Sanwo-Olu said substantial financing commitments had been secured as the Purple Line represents a viable investment opportunity with promising returns. “We are excited to move forward with this project,” the governor said.

The Purple Line is the fourth line of the Lagos Mass Rail Transit (LMRT) system and involves a 60km electrified track with 16 stations. It is designed to connect Redemption Camp, Mowe and Long Bridge in Ogun state to Lagos’ Isheri, Toll Gate, Omole, Ogba, Agege, Iyana Ipaja, Isheri Osun, Igando, Iba, Estate, Lagos State University and Okokomaiko.

The line will terminate at Ojo where it will connect to the Blue Line, and is projected to serve over 300,000 passengers a day.

Today, at the Africa Investment Forum Market Days, I presented our investment strategy for the Purple Rail Line project.

The Purple Rail Line is a 60 km electrified rail system that will include 16 stations and seamlessly integrate with existing metro and bus services to enhance… pic.twitter.com/cEDGOnlFDy

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) December 4, 2024

The Lagos government is also moving ahead with the 68km Green Line, which is designed to run from Marina, where it will connect with the Blue Line, through Victoria Island, Lekki Phase 1, Ajah, Lekki Phase 2, Ogombo, Elepetu, Eluju and Lekki airport. The line will end at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, where the government is planning to site the new international airport.

The Green Line is set to be built in two phases, with the first to cover 33km and terminate at Omu Creek in Sangotedo. The overall system is projected to carry over 500,000 passengers daily at launch, rising to over 1 million as demand grows.

In early September, the government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the Green Line’s construction and in mid-October conducted a site visit to familiarise the contractor with the project's right of way. The visit is expected to help CHEC complete the feasibility study and determine the most optimal approach for construction.

Nigeria’s federal Ministry of Finance and CHEC will source the funding to design, finance, operate and maintain the project. The Lagos government has estimated an investment cost of Naira 462 billion (US$402 million) for the scheme.

The first phases of the LMRT’s Blue and Red lines are already operational. The Blue Line was the first metro network to be commissioned in Lagos, with the inauguration ceremony for the 13km first phase held in September 2023. The line was built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and runs from Mile 2 to Marina with five stations.

The first phase of the Red Line was also constructed by CCECC and was inaugurated in late February this year. The network covers 25km, stretching from Agbado in Ogun state to Oyingbo in Lagos state, with stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba and Oyingbo.

CCECC is also building the 14km second phase of the Blue Line, with execution having passed 30% as of early December. Work is projected to be completed by 2026 on the line.

The contractor is also constructing the second phase of the Red Line, which will extend the network from Ebute Metta to the Marina terminus, which is also connected to the Blue Line at the National Theatre station.

The third and final phase will extend the track from the Ikeja station to Mohammed Murtala International airport, passing through the domestic airport.

The government of the state of Ogun is looking to further expand the Red and Blue lines into its territory. The state’s proposed 2025 budget, presented to the house of assembly in early December, outlines plans to extend the Red Line from Agbado to Kajola and the Blue Line from Okokomaiko to Agbara/Lusada.

The final lines of the LMRT will be the Orange and Yellow lines.

The 34km Yellow Line, is planned to stretch from Otta through Isheri Osun, Ejigbo Mafoluku and Isolo to the National Theatre, while the 48km Orange Line will run from Ikeja through Mile 12, Ikorodu, Alapadi, Eligana, Isiwu and Imota, terminating at Agbowa.

Top photo: Lagos governor presenting Purple Line project at Africa Investment Forum Market Days event (Source: X/Twitter @ Babajide Sanwo-Olu)