Egypt’s Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir oversaw the signing of two major agreements, on 27th April 2026, between the Egyptian National Railways Authority and the National Egyptian Railway Industries Company (NERIC), marking a significant step forward in local train manufacture. The ceremony was also attended by Egyptian Minister of Labor Hassan Raddad.
The agreements, signed by Mohamed Amer, Chairman of the Egyptian National Railways Authority, and Ahmed El-Mufti, Managing Director of NERIC, focus on the manufacture and supply of 500 air-conditioned passenger railway cars and the creation of a specialized company to manage operations at the Kom Abu Radi workshops.
Speaking at the event, El-Wazir stated that the first agreement aligns with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives to localize industries in Egypt, including transport equipment, with the goal of meeting domestic demand and supporting exports through enhanced local train manufacture capabilities.
El-Wazir further noted that the agreement takes advantage of large-scale transport projects currently underway to strengthen domestic manufacturing expertise. This approach is intended to enable locally produced railway cars to match imported alternatives in quality while reinforcing export potential.
The agreement to produce 500 air-conditioned passenger railway cars is aimed at modernizing Egypt’s passenger fleet and improving service delivery. It also builds on a series of previous collaborations between the Ministry of Transport and NERIC designed to expand local train manufacture.
Earlier contracts included the manufacture of 40 metro trains and 320 air-conditioned cars in partnership with the South Korean Company Hyundai Rotem for Cairo Metro Lines 2 and 3, as well as an agreement for 21 air-conditioned trains for the Alexandria Metro project.
The second agreement centers on establishing a dedicated company to operate the Kom Abu Radi workshops, which will handle overhaul, maintenance, and repair of various railway cars.
According to El-Wazir, this initiative will enhance operational efficiency and ensure the sustainability of railway services. The move forms part of a broader plan by the Ministry of Transport, through the Egyptian National Railways Authority, to upgrade workshop infrastructure and increase private sector participation. He added that involving private entities in railway operations is expected to promote competition, improve service quality, safeguard assets, and optimize resource use, while also supporting workforce development in technical, health, and social areas.
Minister of Labor Hassan Raddad described the agreements as a major milestone in advancing local train manufacture and strengthening Egypt’s industrial capabilities in the railway sector. He emphasized that expanding domestic production of train components and cars contributes directly to creating decent employment opportunities and aligns with national strategies for skills development.
Ahmed El-Mufti, Managing Director of NERIC, highlighted that the agreement to manufacture and supply 500 air-conditioned passenger railway cars represents a key step toward developing Egypt’s rolling stock industry. He added that the establishment of a specialized company for Kom Abu Radi workshops underscores NERIC’s expanding role in maintenance, repair, and operational efficiency within the railway system.
