De-Sadel Consortium Successfully Retrofits and Test-Runs Africa’s First LNG-Powered Locomotive in Nigeria

Africa’s first LNG/Diesel-powered locomotive has been successfully tested along the Abuja–Kaduna Rail Corridor, marking a major milestone for the continent’s transportation sector.
The test run included Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Senator Saidu Alkali, De-Sadel Consortium CEO Samuel Uko, and thousands of passengers. It represents a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in the railway industry.
De-Sadel is driving Africa’s transition to greener energy by applying dual fuel technology to power locomotives. This hybrid approach is expected to deliver cost reductions while prioritising sustainability.
The project supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Global Climate Change Agenda. It contributes to Nigeria’s leadership in the Methane Pledge Group and to its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) towards achieving Net Zero by 2030.
By introducing this technology, De-Sadel becomes the first company in Africa to deploy LNG-powered locomotive solutions, placing it at the forefront of innovation in the transport sector.
The company acknowledged Greenville LNG for supplying the gas and Dual Fuel Systems SP of Poland for technical collaboration, noting that the project demonstrates De-Sadel’s commitment to tackling climate challenges while supporting economic growth in line with global sustainability objectives.