The West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) is moving ahead with a study to develop a financing strategy for railway projects across the Union, with particular attention to two major regional railway corridors.
UEMOA issued an expression of interest for the appointment of a consulting firm to identify financing options and develop a strategy for mobilising the financial resources required for the construction and operation of railway projects across the region. The study is being undertaken under the Commission's 2026 budget.
The work will focus particularly on the regional railway loop linking Abidjan, Ouagadougou, Niamey, Cotonou and Lomé, as well as the Dakar–Tambacounda–Bamako–Sikasso–Ouangolodougou railway line, including the Tambacounda–Buba–Bissau and Sikasso–Bobo Dioulasso branches. Other railway corridors within the UEMOA area are also expected to be considered.
The principal expected outcome is a strategy for mobilising the financial resources required to deliver UEMOA railway projects, including the identification of possible financing mechanisms for their construction and operation. The consultancy is expected to run for four months, excluding the time required for approval of deliverables.
Expressions of interest closed on 12 August 2026, with UEMOA now expected to proceed with its consultant selection process in accordance with the Commission's procurement procedures. The next development to watch will be the selection of the consulting firm and commencement of the study.
