Nigerian's rail cargo volume has increased by 467% since 2020, reflecting growing trust in train transport

Key Takeaways

  • 2024 was the strongest year on record, with 495.6k tons of cargo transported, more than 60% higher than 2023 and ₦1.95 billion in freight revenue.
  • Cargo volume and revenue both crashed in 2020 due to COVID-19 disruptions, falling to 87.4k tons and ₦281.4 million respectively.
  • Recovery began in 2021–2022, as improved freight operations and industrial demand pushed steady gains in both tonnage and income.
  • Q1 2025 shows 181.5k tons and ₦650m (approx.) in revenue, signaling strong momentum that could surpass 2024 totals if maintained.

Freight transport has become one of the brightest spots in Nigeria’s rail sector, showing rapid growth and operational expansion in recent years. From a pandemic-era low of just 87,400 tons in 2020, cargo volume has surged nearly sixfold to 495,600 tons in 2024, the highest level in six years. This increase has translated directly into revenue, which rose from ₦281.4 million in 2020 to almost ₦1.95 billion in 2024, underscoring growing demand for rail as a cost-effective logistics option. The upward trajectory suggests renewed private sector confidence and infrastructure improvements, positioning rail freight as a key driver in Nigeria’s transport economy.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics

Period:

2019 - Q1 2025
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