MCDF Grant Prepares Metro Project in Alexandria, Egypt

A USD420,000 grant to support the development of the Alexandria–Abou Qir Metro Line Extension in Egypt was approved by the Multilateral Cooperation Center for Development Finance (MCDF) Governing Committee during its meeting in Beijing on 10 June. The project seeks to enhance metropolitan connectivity and help integrate key transport, logistics, and economic hubs. It is expected to be financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and partners and implemented by the Government of Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels.

The MCDF grant will finance preparatory activities for the upgrade and electrification of the existing East-West rail corridor connecting Abou Qir Station, serving Alexandria’s port area, through which over 75% of Egypt’s maritime trade passes, to Misr Station (Phase 1), the historic Mediterranean city’s main train and logistics hub. The corridor will be converted into a high-capacity, low-carbon metro system that will further link with the Electric Express Train Green Line at Borg El Arab International Airport.

By strengthening integration between Alexandria’s urban core, ports, industrial zones, and future airport links, the Alexandria-Abou Qir Metro Line Extension Project is expected to reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel times, improve logistics efficiency, and promote regional connectivity and sustainable development.

The MCDF grant will support technical, environmental and social (E&S), climate resilience, and institutional assessments to boost the metro extension project’s quality and bankability, in line with International Financial Institution standards and good practices covering E&S standards, climate resilience, stakeholder engagement, and operational readiness.

This MCDF grant will thereby help ensure the project’s readiness for appraisal and prospective financing by AIIB, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank, and Agence Française de Développement.