Through its 10 year plan to modernize the country’s transportation and road infrastructure, Egypt will be transformed into one of the major global hubs for transport and logistics by 2024, said Egyptian Minister of Transport Kamel Al-Wazir.

The transportation system will significantly contribute towards sustainable development and changing the face of life throughout Egypt, Al Wazir explained to international journalists on Sunday.

The 10 year plan, which kick started back in 2014 and will last until 2024, was created to modernize the transport and communication sectors, at an expected cost of EGP 1.669 trillion (about $106.3 billion).

Covering 6 main areas, the cost is directed towards roads and bridges at a cost of EGP 474 billion, railways at EGP 225bn, tunnels and electric traction at EGP 837bn, maritime transport at EGP 115bn, dry ports and logistics at EGP 15 billion, and river transport at EGP 3bn.

Projects worth EGP 1.295 trillion have already been implemented over the past 7 years, added Al Wazir, noting that a number of large projects will be completed by the end of this year, with others such as the light rail train will be finalized by the end of 2022.

“Projects such as the monorail, the high-speed electric train, as well as port projects will be completed by the end of 2024,” Al-Wazir said.

Al Wazir extended an open invitation to all Egyptian and foreign investors to manage and operate railways across the country, as well as participate in all the ministry’s projects covering various fields.

Upon completing the modernization of the transport and road system in 2024, Egypt is set to become a regional and international hub for transport and logistics, Al Wazir emphasized, adding that there are also plans to link Egypt with other North African countries, including building a road that will run through Egypt, Libya, Chad and Niger.