West Africa witnesses inauguration of first railway wagon assembly plant
In a momentous event on May 9, the Nigeria Kajura Wagon Assembly Plant, established as part of the collaboration between China Civil Engineering (CCECC) and the Nigerian government, successfully completed the delivery of its initial consignment of 60 railway flat wagons. This landmark achievement signifies a significant breakthrough in Nigeria’s railway wagon equipment manufacturing industry.
The Kajura Wagon Assembly Plant, situated in Nigeria, has introduced China’s state-of-the-art flexible production line for railway wagon manufacturing, enabling the production of various wagon types in small batches. This implementation has brought China’s renowned 70-ton general-purpose railway wagon manufacturing technology, production equipment, and relevant standards to the West African region.
The assembly plant holds great importance for the modernization of Nigerian railways and the development of associated industries. It is poised to make a positive impact on Nigeria’s economy and has the potential to export wagons to other West African countries and even across the entire African continent.
The construction of the Kajura truck assembly plant commenced in January 2021 and is expected to be fully operational by November 2022. Equipped with advanced infrastructure, including a large component unloading line, wind brake test line, two delivery inspection lines, and a traction production line, the facility aims to achieve an annual assembly production capacity of 500 modern railway wagons, encompassing gondola cars, container flat cars, tank cars, and boxcars. By the end of the third quarter of 2023, the assembly plant intends to complete the assembly of an additional 220 trucks, building upon the 105 trucks already assembled as of April 2023.
Despite the existing challenges posed by Nigeria’s relatively weak manufacturing base, China Civil Engineering has successfully navigated obstacles such as incomplete supporting facilities and a shortage of skilled workers. Through rigorous testing and other related procedures, the assembly plant has established a solid foundation to ensure the seamless delivery of the wagons to their respective owners.
The inauguration of the Kajura Wagon Assembly Plant has also brought positive economic outcomes to Nigeria. With the creation of approximately 1,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, the facility serves as a platform for training local talents in railway wagon production and maintenance. This remarkable development showcases the tangible progress made in fostering the “Belt and Road” initiative and driving the industrialization of Africa.
