Media Release October 28, 2026

Financing Nigeria’s next major trade corridor

Deutsche Bank arranges a 516.3 million US dollar financing for the first section of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway supporting connectivity and trade across Nigeria and West Africa


  • Deutsche Bank arranged a US$516.3 million financing facility to support a major Nigerian infrastructure project aimed at enhancing domestic and regional connectivity.

  • The transaction combines Islamic finance and credit insurance solutions

  • The project is expected to strengthen trade links across Nigeria and West Africa by improving connections between key economic centres and regional transport networks.

Deutsche Bank has arranged a 516.3 million US dollar financing for the Federal Ministry of Finance of Nigeria to support the design and construction of the first section of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.

The planned 1,290-kilometre dual carriageway will span seven states, connecting Sokoto in northern Nigeria with Badagry on the Atlantic coast.

The highway is expected to improve the movement of goods and people across Nigeria, strengthen regional trade links and connect two major Trans-African Highway networks.

Deutsche Bank acted as sole mandated lead arranger on the nine-year Commodity Murabaha facility. The financing is structured in accordance with Islamic finance principles and benefits from a Non-Honouring of Sovereign Financial Obligation policy issued by the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group. The policy covers 95 per cent of the outstanding principal and profit under the facility.

The combination of Shariah-compliant financing and multilateral credit insurance helped create a structure designed to support long-term funding for strategic sovereign infrastructure investment.

“Large-scale infrastructure requires long-term financing solutions tailored to the needs of sovereign clients. By combining an Islamic financing structure with credit insurance from ICIEC, this transaction demonstrates how innovative financing can help enable major infrastructure projects in Africa. We value ICIEC’s support and are proud to support Nigeria on this important project,”
said Maryam Khosrowshahi, Chair Global SSA, Head of Sub-Saharan Africa Coverage and CEEMEA Sovereign DCM.

The transaction demonstrates Deutsche Bank’s ability to combine its sovereign financing expertise, Islamic finance capabilities and risk management solutions to support clients undertaking complex infrastructure projects. It also reflects the bank’s Global Hausbank approach, connecting clients with tailored financing solutions through its global network and deep regional expertise.

What is the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway?

The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway is a planned 1,290-kilometre dual carriageway that will connect Sokoto in northern Nigeria with Badagry on the Atlantic coast, spanning seven states across the country.

What role did Deutsche Bank play in the transaction?

Deutsche Bank acted as the sole mandated lead arranger for the financing facility supporting the first section of the project.

How is the transaction structured?

The financing is structured as a Commodity Murabaha facility, a form of Islamic financing that complies with Shariah principles. A Non-Honouring of Sovereign Financial Obligation policy issued by ICIEC covers 95 per cent of the outstanding principal and profit.

Why is this project significant?

The highway is expected to improve connectivity across Nigeria, support the movement of goods and people, connect major Trans-African Highway networks and strengthen regional trade links across West Africa.