AfDB to Partner with Lagos Transport System on Purple Line, Other Rail Projects

African Development Bank (AfDB) on Thursday gave the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) a boost by pledging support for the development of its Purple Line. The Purple Line is a 60-kilometre railroad from the Redemption Camp in Ogun State, traversing Berger, Agege and Alimoso and terminating at Volkswagen to join the Blue Line.

This development which will boost the state transport system also comes with the interest of the development bank to partner with LAMATA to expand the capacity of the existing rail system.

AfDB Vice President, Private Sector Infrastructure and Industrialization, Solomon Quaynor gave the assurance during a visit to LAMATA in the company of Mayowa Ayodele, Non-Sovereign Operations and Private Sector Equity Specialist, ahead of a visit of the technical team to assess the purple line.

The Bank is also interested in partnering with LAMATA to expand the capacity of the existing rail system.

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

The visit is to further discuss collaboration on the project and other lines outlined in the Lagos Strategic Transport Masterplan (STMP). The delegation toured the LRMT Blue Line and expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Blue Line rail system.

The AfDB team was warmly received by Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director of LAMATA; Engr. Olasukanmi Okusaga, Director of Rail Transport; Kemi Williams, Consultant Policy and Programme; and Kolawole Ojelabi, Head of Corporate Communication.

This visit signifies a significant step forward in securing funding and expertise for the ambitious rail projects envisioned for Lagos, to further enhance the city’s transportation infrastructure and improve the quality of life for its residents.