Middle East & Africa News

Latest news and developments from Middle East and Africa region

• Bids received for conducting feasibility study of Bahrain Metrorail Project Phase I

  September 12, 2021
  A total of seven companies have submitted bids to conduct the feasibility study for Bahrain Metrorail Project Phase I.

• Trans-Israel announces plans to launch tenders for Haifa–Nazareth LRT, Israel

  September 12, 2021
  The Trans-Israel company has announced plans to launch three tenders for the design and construction of bridges and tunnels along the Haifa–Nazareth light rail transit (LRT) project.

• Dubai RTA awards contract to Keolis–MHI JV, UAE

  September 10, 2021
  The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded a 15-year contract to the Keolis–MHI joint venture (JV) for operating the Dubai Metro and Dubai Tram.

• Zupco adds 50 new buses to its fleet, Zimbabwe

  September 9, 2021
  Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) has added 50 new buses to its fleet, supplied by Golden Dragon. Around 100 more buses are expected to be delivered soon.

• Alstom delivers first two trains for Cairo Monorail project, Egypt

  September 8, 2021
  Alstom has delivered the first two fully automated Innovia 300 trains to the National Authority of Tunnels (NAT) for the Cairo Monorail project.

• Zupco to commence commuter rail service in Harare, Zimbabwe

  September 7, 2021
  Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco), in partnership with the National Railways of Zimbabwe, has commenced passenger rail services on commuter rail line in Harare from September 7, 2021.

• Dubai RTA launches new bus route; plans to modify other routes, UAE

  September 3, 2021
  Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a new bus route to Souk Al Marfa in Dubai.

• NAT awards contract to construct Egypt’s first HSR project

  August 31, 2021
  The National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) has awarded a contract to a consortium of Orascom Construction PLC, Siemens Mobility, and Arab Contractors to design, install, commission, and maintain Egypt’s first high-speed rail (HSR) system for a period of 15 years.

• NTA invites pre-qualification bids for design and management of Tel Aviv Metrorail Project, Israel

  August 28, 2021
  Metropolitan Mass Transit System Limited (NTA) has invited pre-qualification bids for the design and management of the upcoming Tel Aviv Metrorail project.

• Track laying begins on Jerusalem LRT Red Line extension, Israel

  August 20, 2021
  Track laying has begun on the Jerusalem light rail transit (LRT) Red Line extension.

• Swvl to acquire on-demand bus service Shotl, UAE

  August 18, 2021
  Dubai-based transport startup Swvl has announced plans to acquire Shotl, an Uber-like service for bus and van operators that caters to municipalities, corporations, and educational institutions.

• MTT issued RFPs for Bahrain Metro project

  August 16, 2021
  Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications (MTT) has issued a request for proposals (RFPs) to carry out work design for Phase I and Phase I A of the Bahrain Metro project.

• FEC approves USD11.17 billion rail project to link all coastal cities, Nigeria

  August 13, 2021
  The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved USD11.17 billion to link all of Nigeria’s coastal cities by rail. The project will be constructed over a span of six years.

• Egypt enters EUR8.5 million financing agreement with Austria to support ENR [free access]

  August 9, 2021
  The Government of Egypt has entered into a EUR8.5 million development financing agreement with the Government of Austria for the Egyptian National Railways (ENR).

• Israel’s Ministry of Finance shortlists five consortia for Jerusalem LRT Blue and Purple Lines, Israel

  August 3, 2021
  Israel’s Ministry of Finance has shortlisted five consortia that have entered the evaluation stage for the tender to build, finance, operate, and maintain the Jerusalem light rail transit (LRT) (Blue and Purple Lines) for 25 years.

• EBRD approves EUR250 million loan for Abu Qir metro project, Egypt

  August 2, 2021
  The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved a EUR250 million loan request from the government of Egypt to partially fund a project to convert Alexandria’s Abu Qir railway into an underground metro.

• CCECC completes excavation work on Etihad Rail project tunnel, UAE

  July 22, 2021
  China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has completed excavation work on the Middle East’s longest tunnel, spanning 1.8 km, which is being built as part of the Etihad Rail project.

• GABS introduces electric buses into its fleet in Cape Town, South Africa

  July 15, 2021
  Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) has deployed two electric buses in Cape Town. The new buses were developed in a partnership between BYD and uYilo.

• Hyundai Rotem to supply Tanzania’s first electric trains

  July 6, 2021
  The Tanzania Railway Corporation has awarded Hyundai Rotem a USD296 million contract to supply 80 electric multiple units (EMUs) and 17 electric locomotives.

• ABB to supply high-power charging infrastructure for Qatar’s electric bus infrastructure project

  July 1, 2021
  ABB has secured a contract to design, supply, test, and commission new high-power charging infrastructure for Qatar’s largest electric bus infrastructure project.