EBRD and EU Back Electric Inter‑City Bus Revolution in Egypt
Egypt is gearing up for a cleaner, smarter and more inclusive mobility future as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) join forces to support the country’s first inter‑city electric bus fleet.
With a €10.6 million loan extended to Go Bus for Transport, one of Egypt’s most established private mobility operators, the investment signals a strategic shift in how people travel between major cities and tourism hotspots.
The project finance package, bolstered by a 10 per cent first‑loss risk cover from the EU via its European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), will enable Go Bus to procure up to 30 new electric buses, six electric micro‑buses for shorter‑distance routes and three additional electric vehicles for urban services. This rollout will introduce zero‑tailpipe‑emission transport across the company’s busiest corridors, reducing air pollution and paving the way for broader adoption of low‑carbon mobility nationwide.
According to the loan agreement, the financial support aligns with Egypt’s national strategy for transportation decarbonisation and urban air quality improvement. The EBRD and EU have positioned the initiative as a template that can be replicated across governorates, helping to shift reliance away from diesel‑powered fleets and towards modern, energy‑efficient vehicles.
Strengthening capacity and governance
Beyond financing vehicles, the programme includes extensive technical assistance, funded through the EBRD’s Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Multi‑Donor Account. This support will cover legal and regulatory aspects, ensuring seamless procurement, fleet integration and compliance with international sustainability standards.
A governance grant under the EFSD+ Municipal, Infrastructure and Industrial Resilience programme will further bolster corporate structures, helping Go Bus enhance transparency, environmental performance monitoring and long‑term project reporting.
The EBRD stressed that improving operational governance is essential to scale future private‑sector investment in sustainable mobility across the region. The initiative also extends into human capital development, incorporating new training programmes for drivers. These include specific modules on identifying, preventing and responding to gender‑based violence and harassment, aligning with public safety priorities. A recent United Nations study found that more than 86 per cent of women in Egypt reported feeling unsafe on public transport, signalling a pressing need to strengthen passenger protection.
The EBRD’s Head of Sustainable Infrastructure for the Middle East and Africa, Aida Sitdikova, underscored the initiative’s significance: This investment supports Egypt’s commitment to green mobility while demonstrating the strength of public‑private cooperation in delivering sustainable transport solutions.
Go Bus: A private‑sector pioneer
Established in 1998 and fully owned by the Nassif family, Go Bus has grown into Egypt’s largest private inter‑city bus operator, transporting around 1.9 million passengers across 29 routes each year. Its network connects Cairo with popular leisure and commercial destinations including Alexandria, Luxor, Dahab, Marsa Allam and the North Coast.
The electrification programme was led by Sameh Atalla, Chief Executive Officer of the Go Bus Group, reflecting the company’s long‑term sustainability agenda. Go Bus Chairman Fady Nassif emphasised the deal’s strategic importance, saying: This partnership marks a transformational chapter for Go Bus as we accelerate our shift to clean energy solutions that enhance passenger experience and environmental responsibility.
The company’s investment aligns with Egypt’s wider green transport roadmap, which includes electric rail modernisation, new bus rapid transit systems and incentives for EV charging network development. With tourism making up a significant share of the economy, modern low‑emission transport also strengthens Egypt’s destination credentials in an increasingly climate‑conscious global market.
EU‑EBRD partnership driving sustainable development
The cooperation draws on the EFSD+ guarantee mechanism, launched in 2021 to support public‑private investment in partner countries. With up to €39.8 billion in global guarantee capacity, EFSD+ aims to mobilise financing for sustainable infrastructure, climate resilience and industrial upgrading. Around €22.5 billion of this support will be directed towards the EU’s neighbourhood and enlargement regions.
For Egypt, a founding member of the EBRD, this project builds on more than €13.5 billion invested across 206 operations since 2012, covering renewable energy, logistics, agribusiness and financial inclusion. The collaboration demonstrates how structured development finance can unlock competitive mobility solutions, especially in emerging markets.
Industry analysts point out that electric bus fleets are fast becoming a global benchmark for climate‑aligned transport. According to the International Energy Agency, global electric bus stock surpassed 700,000 vehicles in 2023, driven largely by China but increasingly supported by European and Middle Eastern markets. Egypt’s transition could therefore catalyse a regional wave, particularly as Gulf and North African governments commit to transport electrification.
Addressing climate and community needs
The environmental benefits are clear. Switching from diesel to electric buses significantly reduces particulate matter and CO2 emissions, while also cutting operational noise. With Egypt’s urban population expanding and traffic congestion intensifying, energy‑efficient mobility solutions are becoming essential.
By providing cleaner services and prioritising passenger safety, the Go Bus investment is expected to generate tangible quality‑of‑life improvements. Meanwhile, EV adoption contributes to Egypt’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution commitments under the Paris Agreement, where transport decarbonisation plays a prominent role.
On the ground, the initiative brings fresh employment and training opportunities, strengthening local workforce skills in EV maintenance and modern fleet management. Combined with governance support, the programme sets a benchmark for responsible private‑sector participation in national transport transformation.
Backed by global partners
The EBRD’s Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Multi‑Donor Account, supporting this initiative, is financed by Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the Taiwan Business‑EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund and the United Kingdom.
This multilateral backing reinforces the international community’s confidence in Egypt’s mobility modernisation plans.
Paving the way for tomorrow
Egypt’s electric mobility transition is gathering steam, and the EBRD‑EU backed Go Bus programme could serve as a blueprint for similar deployments, from regional commuter services to city logistics fleets. As investment flows continue, Egypt’s transport ecosystem is poised to embrace cleaner technology, safer public spaces and modern passenger experiences.
With demand for mobility rising and sustainability fast becoming a competitive necessity, stakeholders anticipate further private‑sector participation, improved charging infrastructure and broader policy incentives.
An electric road ahead
This breakthrough initiative signals a pivotal moment for Egypt’s transport sector.
With strategic financing, corporate commitment and international cooperation, the shift towards greener, safer and more efficient inter‑city travel is no longer a distant vision but an emerging reality.
