Egypt signed a financing agreement with Japan's International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Wednesday for the fourth tranche of funding to support construction of Cairo Metro Line 4, the transport ministry said. The agreement, signed by Transport Minister Kamel El-Wazir and Ebisawa Yo, Chief Representative of JICA Egypt Office, will help fund Phase I of the 46.5-kilometre line, designed to connect 6th of October City with central Cairo and New Cairo through high-density districts and tourist sites including the Giza pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Planning Minister Rania Al-Mashat and Japan's ambassador to Cairo IWAI Fumio signed related exchange letters, underlining what officials described as one of the largest projects in the 70-year history of Egypt–Japan cooperation. El-Wazir said Metro Line 4 ranks among Egypt's most important national projects and aligns with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's push to expand green, sustainable public transport, which also includes high-speed electric rail, a 113-km light rail network, and two monorail lines. He said the project demonstrates international trust in Egypt's economy and reflects the depth of its strategic partnership with Japan. Once complete, the line is expected to carry about 1.5 million passengers a day, easing congestion in Greater Cairo and boosting tourism. It is being built in four phases: the first runs 19 km from Hadayek Al Ashgar to Fustat; the second extends 31.8 km to Rehab via Nasr City; the third stretches 16.3 km to Hosary Square in 6th of October City; and the final 38.7 km phase links Rehab to Capital Airport Station, connecting with the Light Rail Transit. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
