Egypt Plans to Build Railway Station, Dry Ports at Sudanese Border

Egypt has unveiled plans to enhance transportation and trade networks with Sudan by constructing a new railway station and dry ports along the border.

The initiative aims to strengthen economic ties and facilitate cross-border trade between the two nations.

During his speech at the opening of the first Egyptian-Sudanese Business Forum held in Cairo on Saturday, Egypt's Minister of Transport, Kamel Al-Wazir, highlighted the strategic importance of improving transport infrastructure between the two countries.

Al-Wazir emphasized that Egypt and Sudan are connected by three main overland routes: Toshka to Arqin (100 km west of the Nile), Qastal to Wadi Halfa (35 km east of the Nile), and the Red Sea Coast route from Halayeb to Port Sudan (280 km).

The minister also revealed plans to build an interchange railway station at Abu Simbel, which would link Egypt's first electric railway line with a new planned rail route from Abu Simbel to Wadi Halfa.

This new railway infrastructure is part of a broader strategy to enhance connectivity between the two countries.

Additionally, Egypt currently operates three dry ports on the Sudanese border—Qastal, Arqin, and Ras Hadarib.

Plans are in place to develop logistics zones at Qastal and Arqin to facilitate trade between Egypt and Sudan. Moreover, the transport plan includes enhancing the navigational route from Aswan to Wadi Halfa, which will cross the Nasser Lake, further boosting bilateral trade.

Al-Wazir also stressed Sudan's promising potential as a destination for agricultural and logistical investments, thanks to its rich natural resources and its strategic geographical location along the Red Sea.