Middle East & Africa News

Latest news and developments from Middle East and Africa region

• SAPTCO receives notification of awarding of bus transport project in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

  January 16, 2022
  The Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) has announced that it has received a notification of the awarding of a project by the Eastern Province Municipality for a public bus transport project in Dammam city and Al-Qatif governorate, for a period of five years.

• Financial package signed for rehabilitation of Alexandria Raml Tram, Egypt

  January 12, 2022
  A consortium of European banks and development agencies has signed a EUR246 million financial package with Egypt for the rehabilitation of the Alexandria Raml tram. The project aims to rehabilitate and extend the route of the tramline and to renovate its stations and rolling stock.

• Operations commence on 138 new-generation buses in Kénitra, Morocco

  January 7, 2022
  Foughal Bus, the public transportation company in Kénitra, has commenced operations on a fleet of 138 new-generation buses, which will serve 22 lines, including 17 urban lines and fives lines connecting Kénitra to the surrounding rural areas.

• Construction begins on Cairo Ring Road BRT project, Egypt

  January 4, 2022
  Egypt’s Ministry of Transport has announced that construction on the first 10 stations of Cairo’s Ring Road bus rapid transit (BRT) project has begun.

• Governments of Iran and Iraq sign agreement to implement Basra–Shalamcheh railway line

  December 29, 2021
  Iran’s Minister of Road and Urban Development has signed an agreement with Iran for the implementation of the Basra–Shalamcheh railway line. Islamic Republic of Iran Railways and Iraqi Republic Railways will establish a joint venture within two months to complete the project.

• FCTTS acquires DMUs to support operation on Abuja LRT, Nigeria

  December 27, 2021
  The Federal Capital Territory Transport Secretariat (FCTTS) has acquired four diesel multiple units (DMUs), rescue cranes, and rail grinding machines to support the operation of the Abuja Light Rail Transit (LRT).

• Qatar Rail to commence service on Lusail Tram

  December 24, 2021
  Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) has announced plans to commence service of the first phase of the Lusail Tram services from January 1, 2022.

• Government of Ghana allocates funds for MMTL

  December 17, 2021
  The Government of Ghana has announced plans to refurbish the Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL) fleet, with the procurement of new buses in its 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.

• GCC Supreme Council approves establishment of GCC Railways Authority

  December 15, 2021
  The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Supreme Council has approved the establishment of the GCC Railways Authority. All the Gulf states are currently working on setting up the GCC Rail network, which is expected to connect all the six countries by 2025.

• Treepz partners with CMS T&M to provide digital ticketing solutions, Nigeria

  December 13, 2021
  Treepz has partnered with CMS Taxi and Motor Nigeria Limited (CMS T&M) in Lagos to provide commuters with convenient and affordable means to access the buses operated by CMS T&M.

• Aramco signs agreement with Gaussin to explore hydrogen-powered vehicle, Saudi Arabia

  December 8, 2021
  Aramco has signed an agreement with Gaussin to explore a hydrogen-powered vehicle business. Under the agreement, Aramco and Gaussin aim to establish a modern manufacturing facility for on-road and off-road hydrogen-powered vehicles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

• UAE government launches UAE Railways Program

  December 5, 2021
  The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has launched the UAE Railway Program under the ‘Projects of the 50’ scheme.

• ENR signs agreement with Transmashholding to provide technical support, Egypt

  December 4, 2021
  Egyptian National Railways (ENR) has signed an agreement with Transmashholding to provide technical support and supply spare parts for 1,300 new passenger coaches until 2033.

• Golden Dragon delivers 90 buses to Zupco, Zimbabwe

  December 2, 2021
  Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus has delivered 90 buses to the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco).

• NTA awards contract to manage Tel Aviv Metro, Israel

  December 1, 2021
  NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System Limited has awarded a contract to the Egis Gadish consortium to manage the Tel Aviv Metro.

• TMC announces plans to add 12 new stations, Iran

  December 1, 2021
  The Tehran Metro Company (TMC) has announced plans to develop 12 new stations and add 13 new entrances.

• MTT invites pre-qualification bids for Phase I of Bahrain Metro [free access]

  December 1, 2021
  The Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication (MTT) has invited pre-qualification bids for the first phase of the Bahrain Metro.

• GAM awards contract to supply 136 buses, Jordan

  November 29, 2021
  The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has awarded a contract to the Turkish Autocar company to supply 136 diesel buses.

• BYD to supply 100 electric buses to Egged, Israel

  November 29, 2021
  Egged has awarded a contract to BYD to supply 100 new-generation 12-metre electric buses. The buses are planned to be operated in the city of Haifa.

• MC and Kinki Sharyo to supply 184 railcars to NAT, Egypt

  November 24, 2021
  The National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) has awarded a JPY40 billion contract to Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) and Kinki Sharyo Company Limited (Kinki Sharyo) to supply 184 railcars for Phase 1 of Cairo Metro Line 4.