• Egypt inaugurates a 56.5 km monorail connecting Cairo to the new administrative capital.

• The project involves Alstom, Orascom Construction, and Arab Contractors.

• Authorities target a network capacity of 500,000 passengers per day with future expansion.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi inaugurated the East Nile monorail line last week. The 56.5 km infrastructure connects Cairo Stadium station to the control and command center of the new administrative capital.

A consortium comprising Alstom, Orascom Construction, and Arab Contractors developed the project. The line includes 22 stations and operates with 40 trainsets.

The new line serves several key areas of the capital, including business districts and residential zones. It also improves access to stadiums, healthcare facilities, universities, shopping centers, and administrative services.

The project is designed to support the expansion of the new administrative capital and accommodate rising daily traffic. As a result, it strengthens connectivity between major urban hubs and reduces reliance on road transport.

The project forms part of Cairo’s broader strategy to modernize urban transport with a focus on lower environmental impact solutions. Authorities plan to complement the system with the West Nile line, which is currently under development.

Together, both lines will form a network of around 100 km with 35 stations. Authorities estimate that the system will carry up to 500,000 passengers per day.

Authorities view rail transport as a key lever to contain road congestion driven by population growth. Over the past decade, Egypt has implemented a large-scale railway modernization program covering infrastructure and rolling stock.

The program aims to improve connectivity and enhance safety in a context marked by recurring rail accidents.

This article was initially published in French by Henoc Dossa

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum