ETF Egypt wins contract for the refurbishment of Alexandria’s Al Raml tramway
ETF’s Egyptian subsidiary has secured a new strategic contract: the refurbishment of the historic Al Raml tramway in Alexandria (Egypt), as a subcontractor to the Arab Contractors – Hassan Allam Construction joint venture.
Commissioned in 1860, Alexandria’s ‘blue tram’ remains the oldest tramway in Africa and one of the oldest networks still in operation in the world. Its renovation represents a major step in supporting the city’s transition to a more efficient and sustainable transport system.
The Victoria and Sidi Gaber interchanges will provide connections to the future Alexandria metro.
A project to modernise the tracks and catenary system
Worth more than €75 million, the contract signed on 8 December 2025 covers all track and catenary work on 14.1 km of the line (including 7.4 km of viaduct, 24 modernised stations and a new two-level depot with capacity for up to 30 trains).
The project will begin in the last quarter of 2026 and is expected to take 24 months, with the line scheduled to enter service at the end of 2028.
Tripled transport capacity and halved journey times
The Al Raml tramway will offer a vastly improved travel experience with trams running every four minutes, journey times halved and waiting times at stations reduced from nine to three minutes. Transport capacity will also triple to 27,600 passengers per hour, meeting the growing mobility needs of a rapidly expanding city.
A project committed to sustainable development and local employment
Beyond the benefits for users, the project is part of a comprehensive approach to sustainable development.
It contributes to Alexandria’s transition to a ‘green city’ by promoting low-emission transport, encourages local job creation throughout the construction phase, and will also support the local economy during the future operation of the network. ETF Egypt continues its commitment to training and knowledge transfer, in collaboration with local authorities and the French University in Egypt (UFE). The training activities carried out will prepare local teams for the country’s future railway challenges. This commitment was reaffirmed during the visit of the French Embassy in Egypt on 10 February, which was devoted to discussions with ETF on current railway projects and skills development.
A shared ambition for the mobility of tomorrow
This project consolidates the relationship between ETF Egypt and the Arab Contractors – Hassan Allam Construction joint venture around a shared ambition: to make a lasting contribution to the development and modernisation of mobility in the region.
