Under the agreements signed in Paris, the French Treasury will provide the state of Senegal with CFA 63.18bn, with the French Development Agency (AFD) contributing CFA 66.5bn.

The 57km standard-gauge line from the city centre to the new Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) near Ndiass will largely follow the western section of the Dakar - Diourbel metre-gauge line.

Eiffage, France, is leading the consortium carrying out the first phase of civil works for the project under a €373.5m contract awarded by the Senegalese government in 2015. The initial 36km section of the railway between Dakar and Diamniadio will take 26 months to complete.

French National Railways (SNCF) and Paris Transport Authority (RATP) will provide support with operations and maintenance under an agreement signed last December.

Alstom is supplying a fleet of 15 Coradia Polyvalent bi-mode (diesel and electric) trains for the new line.

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