As part of its growing commitment to electric mobility, Egypt is preparing to officially launch its first fully electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system following its trial launch in June—an ambitious project that marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to public transportation. 

Developed by the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the General Authority for Roads and Bridges, the 110-kilometer BRT corridor will run along Greater Cairo’s Ring Road. Featuring 48 stations and dedicated lanes, the system is designed to provide fast, reliable, and lower-emissions service.

The first 35-kilometer phase—comprising 14 stations—is currently in trial operations. Talks are underway with a French company to manage the electric bus fleet, which will include buses capable of carrying up to 200 passengers each. Charging hubs and connections to regional transport networks are also being integrated.

Major General Hossam El-Din Mostafa, Chairman of the General Authority for Roads and Bridges (GARB), told local media that the project was made possible by recent infrastructure modernization. “The country would have faced complete traffic paralysis” without these upgrades, he stated in a press release issued by GARB.

Strategic integration and economic rationale

Experts suggest the BRT system’s development is not just a leap in green infrastructure, but also a strategic and cost-effective alternative to more capital-intensive solutions like metro expansion.

Mohamed Ali Ibrahim, transport expert and member of the Transport Research Council at Egypt’s Academy of Scientific Research, told Business Monthly that the need is to align electrification with clean energy generation. “When we generate electricity from clean sources such as solar power and green hydrogen, we decrease carbon emissions. However, when generating electricity from fossil fuels, it is like we did nothing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Hegazy, Director and Founder of Transport for Cairo, underscored to Business Monthly the BRT’s role within Egypt’s broader transit vision. “The BRT project runs on the same route as the proposed Metro Line 5, and is a cost-effective alternative, particularly given Egypt’s ongoing expansion of Cairo Lines 3, 4, and 6,” he said. “It intersects with a number of other rail lines, allowing interchanges and expanding the reach of public transport. This enhances accessibility.”

Hegazy also referenced a World Bank-funded 2019 study, which identified the Cairo Ring Road BRT corridor as the most effective investment in terms of improving access to employment for the largest number of people.

Building institutional momentum

Transport for Cairo is currently assisting the Ministry of Environment in scaling up electric bus deployment nationally. “The Ministry of Transport has led bus electrification with its choice of electric buses for the BRT, support of the e-bus operated in Sharm being deployed nationally, and public announcement of supporting the launch of 3,000 e-buses over the next three years. This follows the investments in rail electrification,” Hegazy explained.

According to Hegazy, the next key milestone is for Egypt to officially join the Global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (Global MOU), signaling to industry and financiers that the country is committed to large-scale bus electrification. “Convening industry, operators, and finance is key to get the private sector involved in the rollout of the 3,000 e-buses,” he added.

Overcoming cultural, technical barriers

Despite the momentum, technical, behavioral, and infrastructural challenges remain. Ibrahim cautioned that the benefits of electric transport could be undercut if the power supply remains dependent on fossil fuels. He also pointed to behavioral issues on the road. “Electric transport needs to have specific and isolated lanes designed specifically for it, as we have a culture in Egypt where if microbuses see the bus moving fast they will jump in its lane,” he said, noting the need for strong enforcement and public education.

He further stressed that efficiency in scheduling and operations is essential: “The headway time needs to be small and the actual time of the trip needs to be small” to achieve reductions in emissions, congestion, and reliance on fuel imports.

Pointing to international models, he said, “All governmental transportation methods [in Turkey] have specified lanes that nobody can cross, no matter what the congestion is like inside the country. This lane is always open.” In such systems, public transit often becomes more attractive than private vehicles.

Readiness of infrastructure 

Electrification success hinges on the availability and reliability of charging infrastructure. Ibrahim noted advances in battery technology that reduce charging times and improve range, making EVs more practical. However, he also highlighted risks that could hinder adoption. “There is currently advancement in the production of EV batteries which makes them need less charging time, have enlarged capacity, and in turn could be much better in the upcoming period.”

He highlighted market hesitancy tied to resale value and rapid obsolescence due to technological leaps. As a counterexample, he referenced Europe’s clear EV targets, strong hybrid markets, and investment in cutting-edge charging infrastructure, including systems embedded directly into roadways.

“We can use solar power and other clean sources of energy for the generation of electricity. We don’t need to rely on fossil fuels,” he said, adding that Egypt already offers reduced customs duties for EV imports.

Private sector involvement and the digital shift

Private operators are also adapting. Wael Aboulaila, CEO of Mwasalat Misr, told Business Monthly that the company is in the early stages of transitioning its fleet to EVs. “This transformation aligns with the national vision to adopt EVs in public transit,” he said.

He added that the company is adopting digital payment systems to improve efficiency and user experience. 

“Mwasalat Misr is also currently adopting smart payment methods through a recent agreement with MasterCard where the entire payment process will be cashless. This will serve multiple purposes.”

A pivotal moment for public transit

Egypt’s electric BRT system represents not only a new direction for mass transit but also a larger shift in how mobility is planned, powered, and financed. With strong institutional support, growing international collaboration, and potential regulatory clarity, the country has an opportunity to establish a regional benchmark in clean, connected, and accessible transport.

The transition to electric mobility presents logistical and policy challenges, but Egypt is already laying the groundwork—one lane at a time.