Jordan, UAE Launch $2.3 Billion Aqaba Railway Project

Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have signed agreements to launch a major railway project linking the Port of Aqaba to key mining regions, in a deal valued at $2.3 billion, according to the Jordan News Agency (Petra).

The project, announced on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, involves the construction of a 360-kilometre rail line connecting the Shidiyah and Ghor Al-Safi mining areas with the Red Sea port of Aqaba. The railway is designed to transport up to 16 million tonnes of phosphate and potash annually, significantly improving export efficiency and logistics capacity.

Officials said the project will be implemented through a newly established joint venture between Jordanian entities and UAE-based Al Imad Holding, a sovereign-linked investment vehicle in Abu Dhabi. The partnership marks a major step in expanding infrastructure cooperation between the two countries.

Beyond its immediate industrial purpose, the agreement is also seen as the foundation of Jordan’s long-term national rail strategy. According to Petra, the broader vision includes developing a connected rail network linking Aqaba with neighboring Arab countries, potentially extending toward Syria and the Mediterranean, which could reshape regional trade corridors.

The initiative reflects growing Gulf investment in strategic transport infrastructure across the Levant, aimed at strengthening export routes for critical minerals and enhancing regional supply chain integration.