Soaring fuel prices in Nigeria have recently inspired a shift in transport policies, with strategies advocating a transition to sustainable fuels.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation, Nigeria's railway authority, plans to switch from diesel to LNG-CNG (liquefied natural gas - compressed natural gas) for the locomotives it operates. The initiative aims to adopt green energy sources in rail transport and reduce operating costs, which have soared with the removal of fuel subsidies.

According to NRC, a partnership has been formed with the De-Sadel consortium, which is conducting the preliminary phases of the project. The initiative is in line with an overall government plan to accelerate the energy transition in the transport sector, which is already underway in the road segment.

In addition to orders for hundreds of electric buses, the state recently unveiled a program to convert the engines of one million vehicles to CNG by 2027. The plan, which also includes the installation of several charging stations, will require around 2.5 billion USD, according to the government.

These various projects should help to reduce the carbon footprint of these modes of transport, which generate the highest levels of pollution, as they are the most heavily used for Nigerians' travel needs.

Agence Ecofin