Egyptian National Railways (ENR) is planning an $11bn investment programme to modernise Egypt’s 3,500km national rail network over the coming decade.

Speaking at the Arabian World Construction Summit (AWCS) in Dubai on 13 May, the co-chairman of ENR’s transformation & restructuring programme Nino Cingolani said that Egypt’s rail network required an estimated $11bn capital investment drive in order to improve quality, efficiency and safety on the network.

Cingolani said the investment porogramme was divided into six parts covering:

• Upgrade of signals and train protection systyems across the entire 3,500km network;
• Track maintenance programme including renewal of 700km of track;
• Overhaul of freight fleet and operations, involvement engagement of private sector logistics partners in selected industries such as cement, sugar and cereals;
• Modernisation of ICT systems covering ticketing, management and timetabling; and an
• Estimated $5bn renewal of rolling stock including 341 new coaches.

Cingolani said the investment plan covered the time period 2014-2023.