Japan’s JICA committed to funding Cairo Metro Line 4, chief tells Egypt’s FM

CAIRO – August 23, 2024: President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Akihiko Tanaka expressed the agency’s commitment to the financing the fourth line of the Cairo Metro during a meeting with Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty, in Tokyo on Friday.

JICA is backing the construction of the first phase of Cairo Metro Line 4. This metro line stretches for 42 kilometers, connecting 39 stations between Giza’s 6th of October City and New Cairo.

In April 2023, JICA and Egypt sealed a loan agreement for a 100 billion yen loan (about $685 million) for the initial phase of Cairo Metro Line 4, which received President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s approval in January 2024.

Additionally, in December 2022, Egypt and JICA inked a 41 billion yen loan deal (around $280.5 million), sanctioned by the president in July 2023.

JICA estimates the total cost of Cairo Metro Line 4 to be 552.465 billion yen, with operations scheduled to commence in 2028.

Apart from the metro project, Egypt and Japan collaborate on several significant ventures, most notably the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) under construction in Giza.

JICA is funding the GEM's development with about $800 million through two official development assistance (ODA) loans, in addition to aiding in the transportation of artifacts and other associated activities at the monumental museum.

 

Abdelatty is currently in Japan to partake in the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting set for August 24-25.

The primary focus of the TICAD Ministerial Meeting 2024 is to delineate medium and long-term development priorities in the upcoming years for the partnership between Africa and Japan, said Spokesman of the Egyptian foreign minister.

During his discussion with Tanaka, Abdelatty lauded Egypt’s ongoing partnership with JICA under the Egypt-Japan Education Partnership initiative, applauding the Egypt Japan University of Science and Technology as a center of academic distinction, said a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry.

Abdelatty also commended JICA's backing for the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding, expressing Egypt’s anticipation of continued support from the Japanese agency for expanding the center's operations.

They explored avenues for cooperation between the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development (EAPD) and JICA in Africa and the Middle East.

 

Furthermore, they delved into discussions on regional instability and the developments in Gaza and Sudan. Tanaka praised Egypt’s efforts to achieve ceasefire and alleviate the humanitarian plight of the Palestinian and Sudanese populations.

Moreover, Tanaka conveyed Japan’s readiness to assist in the reconstruction efforts in Gaza post-war once a ceasefire is established.