Italy has made significant strides in its commitment to supporting Egypt’s infrastructure and sustainable mobility development. At the EU-Egypt Investment Conference in Cairo, opened by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Italy unveiled a series of initiatives under the ‘Mattei Plan for Africa’. These initiatives are aimed at promoting economic growth and technological advancement while adhering to environmental sustainability principles.
One notable project is the creation of Egypt’s first Made-in-Italy luxury tourist train, the ‘Guardian of the Nile’. This collaboration between Arsenale SpA and the Egyptian National Railways (ENR) promises to enhance tourism experiences and showcase Italian craftsmanship.
Furthermore, MERMEC SpA and ENR have signed a €130 million contract to develop the ECTS Level 1 railway signalling system on the Al-Fardan – Bir al-Abd and Balouza – East Port Said lines. This project aims to enhance connectivity, safety, and reduce CO2 emissions, aligning with both ‘Egypt Vision 2030’ and the European Green Deal. MERMEC, with Italian institutional backing, plans to establish a signalling and infrastructure design center of excellence in Egypt, solidifying its local presence.
In addition to these railway projects, Italy’s commitment to sustainable mobility is evident in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Movyon and Elsewedy. This partnership will see the creation of a new company dedicated to managing intelligent transport systems on Egyptian highways for 10 years, with a €200 million investment.
SACE, the Italian Export Credit Agency, has finalized two Memoranda of Understanding with the Egyptian Ministry of Transport and the Commercial International Bank (CIB), totaling €920 million. These agreements aim to support low-impact transportation projects and stimulate Italian exports through export credit insurance and guarantee programs.
“These four projects confirm Italy’s commitment to supporting the growth and modernization of Egyptian infrastructure, while also promoting environmental sustainability and technological innovation. This is a concrete way to invest in Egypt responsibly and to the benefit of both markets, Italian and Egyptian, in line with the ‘Mattei Plan’ launched by Prime Minister Meloni,” stated Michele Quaroni, the Italian Ambassador to Cairo. These significant initiatives highlight Italy’s strong commitment to partnering with Egypt for a shared future of economic prosperity and sustainable development.
