Skip to main content

Egypt’s Pan-African road marks millennial milestone for development

Egypt announced the completion of its segment of the Alexandria-Cape Town Road, which it is hoped will boost economies, trade and tourism the length of the African continent.
RTS1H7E1.jpg

In what may be viewed as Africa’s millennial megaproject in trade and investment, Egypt and a number of other African countries are working on a highway linking the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria and Cape Town, South Africa, on the Atlantic. Egyptian Transport Minister Hisham Arafat told a parliamentary committee on Feb. 3 that Egypt has completed its part of the Alexandria-Cape Town Road extending to Egypt's border with Sudan. The roadway is now open to travelers.

The Pan-African road, at an expected 6,400 miles, will link Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. Egypt, which initiated the ambitious project, launched it in June 2015. Each country is financially, technically and logistically responsible for its part of the roadway.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.