AfDB finances improvements to Egypt's rail network

The African Development Bank has approved a loan of €145 million to finance reliability and performance upgrades to Egypt's rail system under the Egypt National Railways Modernization Project. The funding will be used to enhance operational safety and to increase network capacity on national rail lines. 

Rail passenger and freight traffic are expected to increase to 15% and 10% respectively by 2029 as a result of the AfDB's loan and other investments in the project. Currently, 8% of passenger traffic and 6% of freight traffic respectively move by rail. The planned upgrades are expected to benefit low-income Egyptians, about 40% of the population, who rely on trains as an affordable mode of transport.