Egyptian, Sudanese ministers discuss planned pan-African roads, rehabilitation of Nile Valley Authority for Riverine Navigation

CAIRO – 25 October 2020: Minister of Transportation Kamel al-Wazir held with Sudanese counterpart Hisham Abou Oaf a meeting Sunday via video conference to discuss joint projects. 

The ministers conferred over a number of projects such as studies needed to pave a road connecting Egypt, Chad, and Sudan, and another extending from Cairo to Cape Town and passing through Sudan among nine African countries.

Speaking of the latter, Egypt started establishing the section located on its territory. That section starts from Fayoum, passes through Beni Suef, Menya, Asyut, Sohag, Qena, Luxor, Aswan, Toshki, and ends in Arkin crossing with Sudan.

The Cairo-Cape Town Road is aimed at boosting trade exchange among African states, creating job opportunities, and achieving comprehensive development.

The Sudanese minister requested cooperation with the Egyptian side in the maritime transportation sector, including the training of cadres at Egypt's Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transportation. The Sudanese individuals working in the sector will also be trained at Egyptian seaports and the Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety (EAMS).

The ministers agreed to hold another meeting to follow up on the progress rate of joint projects, and examine the development of the Nile Valley Authority for Riverine Navigation.

Wazir asserted that the rehabilitation of the Egyptian-Sudanese organization requires the overhauling of its vessels, training of workers, and support of specialized technical cadres.

The organization established in 1975 transports cargo and passengers. 

At the beginning of the meeting, the ministers discussed the terms of the cooperation agreement on establishing a railway line between both countries.

Both parties examined ways of acquiring funding to finance the feasibility studies. Financing is likely to be through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.

The first phase of the project will extend from Egypt's Aswan governorate to Sudan's Wadi Halfa.

The Egyptian minister signed the agreement and handed it to the Sudanese ambassador so it will be signed by his counterpart.