Alstom, in partnership with Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors, has announced the start of commercial operations on the first section of the East of Nile Monorail line in Egypt, Africa’s first monorail system. The project marks an important milestone for urban mobility in the Cairo metropolitan area and for connecting the Egyptian capital’s new administrative and residential developments.
The East of Nile line has a total length of 56 km and includes 22 stations, of which 16 are already operational and serving passengers commercially. The route connects the eastern part of the capital Cairo to the New Administrative Capital, the major urban project developed by Egypt east of the current capital.
The Innovia monorail system supplied by Alstom offers a fast, reliable, and low-emission alternative to road transport in a metropolis affected by traffic congestion and the rapid expansion of urban areas.
Fast connection to the New Administrative Capital
Cairo has nearly 25 million residents in its metropolitan area, making it one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic megacities. In this context, the new monorail is designed to handle high passenger volumes and reduce dependence on road transport.
“Cairo is home to nearly 25 million people, making it one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing megacities. The Innovia monorail system is a major game-changer not only for Egypt but also for the entire African continent, immediately providing large-scale capacity and supporting a more sustainable future for urban transport,” said Martin Vaujour, Alstom’s President for Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
The line is designed to improve connections between residential areas, business centers, and administrative districts. According to mobility assessments cited by Alstom, travel time between the El Moshir Tantawi station and the Justice City station decreases from approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by road to about 40 minutes by monorail.
Capacity of up to 45,000 passengers per hour and direction
At maximum capacity, the Innovia monorail system will be able to transport up to 45,000 passengers per hour and direction. The project is designed to reduce urban congestion and respond to the rapid expansion of Cairo.
The East of Nile line uses CBTC GoA4 signaling, which means fully automated operation without a driver on board. The technology enables a high level of safety, reliability, and operational efficiency.
Alstom notes that this is also the first project of its kind in Africa to integrate platform doors, a solution used to enhance passenger safety and comfort at stations.
Trains manufactured in the UK, testing with local engineers
The Innovia monorail vehicles were manufactured at the Alstom plant in Derby, in the UK. Testing and commissioning, however, were carried out with the help of local engineering capabilities, an element the company highlights as crucial for long-term operational resilience.
“The East of Nile Monorail marks a major milestone in Egypt’s Vision 2030 journey toward smart, sustainable, and future-ready urban mobility. With over 98% of the workforce coming from Egypt, this project highlights the excellence of national engineering and deep local know-how. Beyond transforming transportation, the monorail stands as a powerful symbol of local capabilities that support the delivery of world-class infrastructure for the country,” said Ramy Salah El Din, Managing Director of Alstom Egypt.
Alstom, present in Egypt for over 40 years
Alstom has been present in Egypt for over 40 years and has participated in several projects to develop and modernize the railway infrastructure. The company currently has approximately 800 employees in the country and has developed local capabilities in areas such as signaling, power supply, and depot equipment.
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