First electric BRT system piloted in Egypt

From the newsletter

Egypt has launched its inaugural Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system with a fleet of 100 electric buses. The BRT line will span 35 km and has the capacity to carry up to 3,200 passengers per hour. The vehicles were locally assembled by Kastour Group (the distributor of MAN vehicles), Geyushi Motors, and the Middle East’s bus manufacturer MCV. 

• African BRT systems are growing as cities increasingly adopt electric mass transit solutions. The aim is to encourage millions of individuals with passenger cars to opt for the fast high-capacity BRT buses. 

• Yet, Africa’s capacity for electric bus production remains limited. The continent is expected to continue to need electric bus imports to scale up effectively.

More details

• Egypt this week commenced trial operations along Cairo’s Ring Road, marking the first phase of its electric BRT project. With this development, Cairo joins the ranks of early adopters of clean, high-capacity urban transport in Africa, alongside Dakar (Senegal), Marrakesh and Agadir (Morocco). The move highlights North Africa’s emerging lead in electric mass transit infrastructure.

• The Cairo BRT system will operate continuously on a three-shift schedule, ensuring uninterrupted 24-hour service. This high-frequency, round-the-clock operation enhances commuter confidence and meets the transport demands of one of Africa’s most densely populated cities. 

• Passengers will choose between a flat fare and a dynamic, distance-based pricing model tied to the number of stops travelled. The flexible approach introduces a more equitable and transparent system that aligns cost with actual usage. This serves as a valuable example for other African cities seeking to make electric mass transit both financially viable and broadly accessible.

• The electric BRT trend across Africa is being propelled by a combination of environmental imperatives, economic pressures, and urban planning needs. Rapid urbanisation in major cities has strained existing transport infrastructure, making high-capacity, low-emission alternatives both urgent and necessary. 

• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) BRT systems may present short-term competition to electric BRTs, especially in cities where gas infrastructure already exists. For example, Lagos and Dar es Salaam are currently prioritising CNG buses due to their lower upfront costs and readily available fuelling infrastructure. However, as battery prices continue to fall and more funding is channelled into electric transport, CNG may be outpaced in the long term.

• Funding models for electric BRTs in Africa are typically blended, drawing from both international and domestic sources. Morocco’s Agadir and Marrakesh projects leveraged funding from the French Development Agency (AFD), national transport funds, and local authorities; ensuring shared ownership and financial sustainability. Senegal’s Dakar BRT, financed through a combination of the World Bank, European Investment Bank, and the national government, reflects strong international coordination. Meanwhile, Egypt’s partnership with Swedfund underscores the strategic alignment of electric mobility with grid infrastructure investment.

Our take

• Addis Ababa, Kigali, and Cape Town are likely to adopt electric BRT systems ahead of other African cities. These urban centres are comparatively well-structured, with superior planning, existing infrastructure, and regulatory environments conducive to modern public transport solutions. Addis Ababa has already deployed 100 electric buses assembled locally, Kigali benefits from a robust transport authority and strong environmental policies, while Cape Town enjoys capable municipal governance and an engaged private sector.

• BYD, a major electric bus manufacturer, already holds a strong presence in key African markets such as Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa. With recent price cuts across its EV range, BYD is positioning itself to lead in price-sensitive markets. Should governments adopt procurement strategies that prioritise affordability, local assembly, and reliable after-sales service, BYD could become the dominant supplier of electric buses across sub-Saharan Africa.

• Leasing electric BRT fleets through partnerships with local OEMs offers a practical alternative to the high capital costs and maintenance burdens that have stalled projects like Nairobi’s. Despite being proposed in 2014 and attracting donor interest, Nairobi’s BRT system has seen little progress due to financing gaps, policy indecision, and procurement controversies.