AfDB, LAMATA exploring partnership on 60km purple rail line

The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) says it is exploring a partnership arrangement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group to develop another rail line.

In a statement on Thursday, Kolawole Ojelabi, the head of corporate communication at LAMATA, said the AfDB recently visited the transport agency to explore potential areas of collaboration.

The red line rail officially commenced commercial operations on October 15, 2024, after its inauguration by President Bola Tinubu on February 29 of the same year.

Estimated to ferry 500,000 passengers daily, the red line is expected to inject efficiency into Lagos’ transport system and complement the blue rail line, which has been operational since 2023.

But the state is seeking to expand its rail transport system and is currently seeking investment valued at $1.9 billion for the purple and green rail lines. Both projects are under the Lagos rail mass transit (LRMT) scheme.

Further speaking on the lender’s visit, Ojelabi said Solomon Quaynor, the AfDB vice-president for private sector infrastructure and industrialisation, expressed the bank’s interest in partnering with LAMATA.

“Quaynor was also in the company of Mr Mayowa Ayodele, Non-Sovereign Operations and Private Sector Equity Specialist, ahead of a visit of the technical team to assess the Purple line,” Ojelabi said.

“The visit follows a recent pitch for investment on 60-kilometre Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Purple Line at the African Development Bank forum in Morocco, where the Lagos delegation was led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“This is to further discuss collaboration on the project and other lines outlined in the Lagos Strategic Transport Master Plan.

“The delegation toured the LRMT Blue Line and expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Blue Line rail system.”

The statement said the AfDB team received a warm welcome from Abimbola Akinajo, the managing director of LAMATA; Olasunkanmi Okusaga, the director of rail transport; Kemi Williams, a consultant on policy and programme; and Kolawole Ojelabi, the head of corporate communication.