Siemens’ desert-ready high-speed train stands on display as Egypt prepares its nationwide rail rollout. | Source: Siemens
Egypt has unveiled its first 250 km/h (155 mph) Siemens Velaro high-speed trains, marking a major leap toward becoming one of Africa’s fastest and largest rail systems. The trains made their public debut at TransMEA 2025 in New Cairo. Siemens Mobility confirmed that 41 units will operate across Egypt’s planned 2,000-kilometre network.
Which Parts of Egypt Will Benefit From the High-Speed Rail Network?
The full system will run across three lines connecting Egypt’s major cities, covering routes reaching nearly 90% of the population. Key cities on the first line include Ain Sokhna, Cairo, Alexandria, and Marsa Matrouh. Later lines will extend service through Upper Egypt, linking the Greater Cairo region with Aswan, as well as Luxor to Safaga via Hurghada. The new network is designed to cut travel times by up to 50% and reshape both passenger and freight movement.
Siemens built and engineered the Velaro fleet in Germany, adapting the trains for Egypt’s desert conditions. Each unit seats 489 passengers and uses reinforced cooling and filtration systems to handle heat, dust, and sand. The trains will form the backbone of the country’s expanding high-speed rail system, which began with a $4.5-billion contract signed in 2021.
To complement the Velaro rollout, Siemens also completed the first test run of its 160 km/h Desiro High-Capacity regional train near the 6th of October Dry Port. The port, built with a capacity of 260,000 containers and five rail lines, sits on the developing Green Line—a 660-kilometre cargo route called the “Suez Canal on Rails” because it will move goods rapidly between the Red Sea and Mediterranean. Siemens says Egypt’s freight capacity will rise by more than 40% once the network is fully operational.
Egypt’s transport minister, Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir, described the trial run as a key moment in the country’s wider modernisation plans, which also include metro expansions, new cities such as the New Administrative Capital, and major national infrastructure upgrades.
What Other Major High-Speed Rail Projects Are Underway in Africa?
Egypt’s rail programme fits into a larger continental shift toward modern rail. Morocco currently runs Africa’s fastest service at 320 km/h, while Nigeria is pursuing a proposed 4,000-kilometre high-speed corridor between Lagos and Port Harcourt. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 also outlines cross-border high-speed corridors to boost trade and lower transport costs.
By combining long-distance passenger routes with major freight corridors, Egypt is positioning its high-speed system as one of the most significant rail projects in Africa, built to connect more cities, move millions faster, and strengthen regional mobility.
