• CAF signs €450 mln ($530 mln) deal to upgrade and maintain Cairo Metro trains
• Project covers modernization of 39 trains on Line 2 and maintenance of Lines 1–2
• Spain uses FIEM fund to expand global footprint in Egypt’s transport sector

Spanish rail group CAF has signed three agreements with Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) to modernize 39 trains on Line 2 of the Cairo Metro and to provide maintenance services for trains on Lines 1 and 2.

Valued at more than €450 million (about $530 million), the contract will extend the lifespan of the trains by 20 years, improve passenger safety and comfort, and introduce new features such as Wi-Fi connectivity and video surveillance.

The deal responds to the rising mobility needs of Cairo, a megacity of about 23 million people according to World Population data. It also fits into Spain’s strategy to boost the international reach of its rail industry. Financing comes from Spain’s Enterprise Internationalization Fund (FIEM), managed by the State Secretariat for Trade, which supports Spanish companies in strategic overseas markets.

In Egypt, where China, France, and South Korea are also active, Madrid is strengthening its presence through major transport projects. This latest deal adds to other CAF initiatives in the country, including the rehabilitation of the Kozzika maintenance depot. The company aims to position itself as a leading player in railway modernization and maintenance in a country pursuing an ambitious transport infrastructure expansion program.

Beyond Egypt, the contract also boosts CAF’s visibility across Africa. The Cairo Metro project shows how technological solutions can help address urban mobility challenges in fast-growing capitals such as Lagos, Abidjan, and Addis Ababa.

At a time when sustainability and energy efficiency are becoming priorities, extending the lifespan of rolling stock offers an attractive alternative to large-scale purchases of new equipment.