NRC challenge:

Aligned to the Nigerian Government’s renewed commitment to rebuilding its rail asset, the NRC identified the need to build its locomotive fleet and invest in further infrastructure maintenance.

How we overcame the challenge:

GE’s company-to-country agreement with Nigeria, signed in 2009, provided GE’s transportation business with the opportunity to work with the NRC in delivering a rail solution consisting of 25 diesel locomotives, which will contribute to re-igniting the vigorous rail driven trading of goods such as oil, and enable regional trade growth in East, Central and West Africa. In addition to supplying the locomotives, GE is also training NRC employees and transferring valuable skills as part of this agreement.

Solution’s impact on Nigeria:

The NRC’s new GE diesel locomotives will increase rail capacity, provide additional revenue that can be re-invested back into Nigeria’s economy, and assist in fast tracking regional trade in the East, Central and West Africa regions. This in turn will help attract foreign direct investment and contribute to infrastructure development for short and long-haul destinations within Nigeria and beyond.

National Railway Corporation:

Previously known as the Government Department of Railways, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has been in existence for 112 years. It runs unilaterally designed track systems made up of 3,505 kilometers of narrow gauge tracks and approximately 300 kilometers of standard gauge tracks respectively. The NRC’s locomotive fleet includes new and aged engines, couchette-type sleepers, air-conditioned first-class and non-air-conditioned economy-class passenger coaches and wagons.