Egypt Partners with Deutsche Bahn to Operate new High-Speed Rail Network
Egypt’s National Tunnels Authority (NAT) has finalized a 15-year agreement with a consortium led by Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany’s primary railway operator, and Egyptian firm Elsewedy Electric, to manage and operate the country’s forthcoming high-speed electric train network. The contract, announced on November 13th, utilizes a revenue-sharing model and prioritizes the integration of at least 95% Egyptian personnel to ensure a comprehensive skills transfer.
Egyptian minister of industry and Transport, Kamel El-Wazir, highlighted the partnership as a crucial component of a broader plan to combine international rail expertise with the development of local capabilities. The agreement includes provisions for the training and qualification of Egyptian engineers and technicians, with annual opportunities for Egyptian train drivers to receive training in Germany specifically for operating high-speed electric trains.
The project is already underway, with technical tests recently initiated on the first 660km line connecting the Red Sea port of Ain Sokhna to Marsa Matrouh and Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast. Upon completion, the entire network will span 2,000 km, positioning Egypt’s high-speed rail system as the sixth largest globally.
The network is designed to connect 60 cities across egypt, operating at a maximum speed of 230 km/h. Developed by siemens Mobility in collaboration with Orascom construction and The Arab Contractors, the system will employ a diverse fleet including Velaro high-speed trains for long distances, Desiro regional trains for medium and short journeys, and Vectron locomotives for freight transport.
Egypt will become the second African nation to operate high-speed rail, following morocco’s Al Boraq line linking Tangier and Casablanca, launched in 2018.The Moroccan network, costing 24 billion dirhams (€2.2 billion), transported 5.5 million passengers in 2024.
The Egyptian government views the high-speed rail project as a key driver for socio-economic development,aiming to improve territorial connectivity and modernize transport infrastructure. It is anticipated to boost tourism, especially as Egypt seeks to regain its position as africa’s leading tourist destination – a title recently held by Morocco. The network will facilitate access to key tourist sites, including connections from Cairo to Abu Simbel and Luxor to Hurghada. This development is also aligned with ongoing modernization efforts at Egyptian airports, as 80% of tourists currently arrive by air according to the World Bank. The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities aims to double tourist numbers to 30 million by 2028.
