Sisi approves deal to implement Egypt-Sudan rail project

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has approved $2.4 million agreement between with the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development to finance the studies for on rail link project between Egypt and Sudan, the country’s official gazette reported on Sunday.

The study will focus on a 570-kilometre line between the southern Egyptian city of Aswan and Wadi Halfa in northern Sudan.

The first phase will link between Aswan to Abu Simbel with 285 km, after which it will be connected from Abu Simbel to Wadi Halfa with 80 km.

The railway line could facilitate millions of Egyptians and Sudanese who unable to afford air fares for the two-and-a-half-hour flight between Cairo and Khartoum to travel overland.

The rail link would expand opportunities for sustained co-operation between Egypt and Sudan, potentially boosting trade, Egypt’s Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat, said.

Al-Mahsat added that the project would enhance the cooperation and realise economic and social integration between the two countries.