On 19 May 2026, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development noted that the provision of a senior corporate loan of up to €162 million to Mota-Engil Engenharia e Construçao Africa, SA, known as Mota-Engil Africa, had reached concept reviewed stage, moving past the exploratory project phase.
The proposed financing is guaranteed by Mota-Engil SGPS, SA and is intended to support Mota-Engil Africa’s activities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The loan proceeds are expected to finance the acquisition of railway construction equipment in Nigeria to support the construction of the Kano-Maradi railway line. The line is in northern Nigeria within Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States, with an extension into southern Niger within the Maradi Region. It will be approximately 392km in total length, comprising 284km from Kano to Maradi, including 42km within Niger, and 108km from Kano to Dutse.
The Kano-Maradi railway project is expected to support the development of Nigeria’s intermodal transport system by helping to shift transport from road to rail, with an associated reduction in CO2 emissions.
In addition, the proceeds are also expected to finance mining services capital expenditure across three mines in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, refinancing of capital expenditure and working capital financing.
The project will be presented under two separate disclosures, comprising €63 million related to railway construction in Nigeria and €99 million related to mining services activities in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.
Mota-Engil Africa is fully owned by Mota-Engil and is described as a Pan-African Engineering, Procurement and Construction company incorporated in Portugal. The company is primarily engaged in the implementation of projects across sectors, including infrastructure, civil engineering, construction, energy, transport, environment and contract mining through its local subsidiaries in Africa.
Written by Phillippa Dean
