Egypt and Japan Sign Agreement for the 4th Tranche of Project to Construct Phase 1 of the Greater Cairo Metro Line 4

Lt. Gen. Kamel El-Wazir: H.E. the President of the Republic has directed the expansion of a sustainable, eco-friendly, green urban mass transit network to stimulate economic, commercial, and tourism activity, serve industrial zones, and facilitate citizens’ mobility.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat: The partnership with Japan comes within the framework of the political leadership’s directives to complete the metro network as one of the most important means of green and environmentally friendly transportation.

“Egypt’s Narrative for Economic Development: Reforms for Growth, Jobs & Resilience” promotes financing for development in a manner that ensures coherence between national and sectoral development plans and strategies.

Ambassador of Japan: This is the largest project in the 70-year history of economic cooperation between Japan and Egypt, reflecting trust and a strong partnership between our two countries.

As part of the strategic Egyptian-Japanese partnership, Egypt and Japan signed exchanged letters and a financing agreement for the fourth tranche of the Phase One construction of Cairo Metro Line 4, funded by the Japanese government and implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The signing was witnessed by Lt. Gen. Kamel Al-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport. The exchanged letters were signed by Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, and H.E. Fumio Iwai, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt. The financing agreement for the fourth tranche was signed by Lt. Gen. Kamel Al-Wazir and Mr. Ibisawa Yu, Chief Representative of JICA.

Phase One of Line 4 will extend from Hadayeq Al-Ashgar Station to Al-Fustat Station, covering 19 km with 17 stations (16 underground + 1 at-grade). It will link with Line 1 at El-Malek El-Saleh Station and with Line 2 at Giza Station. The project aims to serve high-density areas such as Haram, Faisal, Omraneya, and Giza, according to the latest international standards to ensure maximum safety, while linking 6th of October City and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza to the metro network.

In his remarks, Lt. Gen. Kamel Al-Wazir expressed his delight at participating in this important occasion, which reflects the deep-rooted strategic relations between Egypt and Japan, through the signing of the exchanged letters and financing agreements for the fourth tranche of Line 4. He extended sincere thanks to the Japanese government and people, the Ambassador of Japan in Cairo, and JICA—describing it as an exemplary model of support for Egypt’s development projects. He also thanked the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation for its efforts in coordinating and managing this cooperation.

 

He stressed that the Cairo Metro is the backbone of transport in Greater Cairo, and Line 4 is among the most significant national projects currently under construction. It aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directives to expand sustainable, eco-friendly mass transit networks, which include not only the completion of the metro system but also the development of safe, fast electric rail networks. These networks support Egypt’s urban expansion, stimulate economic, commercial, and tourism activity, serve industrial areas, accommodate rising transport demand, and provide advanced, safe, and efficient services across the country.

He highlighted key projects: the 2000 km high-speed electric rail network, the 113 km light rail transit line, the 100 km East and West Nile monorail lines, the 46.5 km Line 4, and preparations for Line 6, in addition to the recent inauguration of the third line’s final phases (3rd & 4th), which now operate 42 km with one final phase under construction to connect to Cairo Airport.

He emphasized that Line 4 will be crucial for connecting 6th of October City and New Cairo to the metro network, serving dense districts (Haram, Faisal, Omraneya, Giza, Nasr City, Al-Azhar University, New Cairo), linking historic Cairo with the Giza Plateau (pyramids) and the Grand Egyptian Museum, boosting tourism, and relieving traffic congestion. Once complete, it is expected to transport 1.5 million passengers daily.

Implementation is divided into four phases: Phase One: Hadayeq Al-Ashgar – Al-Fustat (19 km, 17 stations: 16 underground, 1 at-grade), interchange with Line 1 at El-Malek El-Saleh; Phase Two: Al-Fustat – Nasr City – Al-Rehab (31.8 km, 21 stations: 6 elevated, 15 underground), interchange with Line 6 at Sayeda Aisha; Phase Three: Hadayeq Al-Ashgar – Hosary Square (6th of October City) (16.3 km), ensuring connection to 6th of October City; and Phase Four: Al-Rehab – Capital Airport Station (38.7 km), interchange with the Light Rail Transit (Salam – 10th of Ramadan – New Capital) at Capital Airport Station.

He pointed to the strong Japanese support via JICA, noting the importance of completing studies and securing financing for Phase Two to maximize the line’s economic viability.

He concluded: “Today’s event is not merely about financing agreements, but a strong vote of confidence in Egypt’s economy and a testament to the deep strategic partnership with Japan in infrastructure and transport. At the Ministry of Transport, we are committed to accelerating work so that this project sees the light of day as soon as possible, serving Egyptians and reinforcing Egypt’s position as a leader in modern, sustainable, eco-friendly transport. The Cairo Metro Line 4 will be a new landmark in Egypt-Japan relations and a major step towards a better future for our people.”

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that the partnership with Japan comes within the political leadership’s directives to complete the metro network as a key mode of green, eco-friendly transport. This reflects the state’s developmental efforts to build more sustainable transport systems that can absorb Greater Cairo’s population density, within the framework of continuous development cooperation between Egypt and Japan.

She noted that completing the financing of Phase One of Line 4 reflects the strategic, long-standing partnership between the two countries to support development in priority sectors. Today’s tranche builds on the success of the first three, each representing a milestone in the journey towards a modern, safe, efficient transport system that meets citizens’ needs.

She stressed that the state’s vision for developing transport and logistics aims at improving citizens’ quality of life. Metro projects are part of wider infrastructure efforts to enhance economic competitiveness, boost productivity, increase exports, and attract foreign direct investment. This is being implemented under Egypt’s Narrative for Economic Development: Reforms for Growth, Jobs & Resilience.

She explained that financing for development is a common thread across all development plans, and that Egypt’s Narrative for Economic Development seeks to ensure alignment between national and sectoral strategies, maximizing the use of all financing sources—whether from the state budget or concessional development finance from bilateral and multilateral partners. This integrated national financing strategy aims to serve Egypt’s development priorities.

The Japanese Ambassador, H.E. Fumio Iwai highlighted that this project represents the largest in the history of Egypt-Japan economic cooperation, spanning 70 years, and embodies the trust and solid partnership between the two nations. Upon completion, Line 4 will link central Cairo to major tourist destinations in Giza, including the Grand Egyptian Museum.

He added that the Grand Egyptian Museum—another flagship Egypt-Japan cooperation project—is set for full opening in November, showcasing both countries’ commitment to working hand-in-hand for shared prosperity.

Egypt and Japan Sign Agreement for the 4th Tranche of Project to Construct Phase 1 of the Greater Cairo Metro Line 4