The governments of Niger and Benin have officially launched the upgrade for the 437km Cotonou - Parakou line, as part of the US$1.6 billion Niamey-Cotonou binational railway line project. 

The project´s second phase will extend the line from Parakou to the border at Gaya, which will be further extended for 426 km to reach Niamey (Niger), where a station has already been constructed. 

Bolloré Africa Logistics, a subsidiary of Bolloré Group, is implementing the project. Bolloré will hold a 40% stake in the project, the governments of Benin and Niger will hold 10% stake each, and the remaining 40% will be held by private sector participants from Benin and Niger.