$4B mega bridge to link Africa and Asia through the Red Sea
A new bridge linking Africa and Asia is set to be built across the Red Sea, with Egypt confirming that planning is now complete.
The long-awaited project, which will connect Saudi Arabia and Egypt, is expected to cost around $4 billion and will be fully funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The crossing will link Ras Hamid in Saudi Arabia with Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh, spanning the Strait of Tiran.
The announcement comes years after Saudi Arabia’s King Salman first proposed the idea in 2016.
The bridge, often referred to by locals as the “Moses Bridge,” has gained renewed attention following Egypt’s confirmation that it is ready to begin construction.
“We have now completed the planning for the bridge between Egypt and Saudi Arabia and are ready to implement it at any time, whether as a bridge or a tunnel,” Egypt’s Minister of Transport, Kamel al-Wazir, was quoted by the Business Insider as saying.
The route is expected to support more than a million travellers each year, offering an alternative path for pilgrims heading to Mecca.
It is also expected to enhance trade and tourism between the two countries.
The bridge will run near NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion megacity project. NEOM has faced international criticism over delays, alleged rights violations, and the treatment of communities in its path.
Despite this, the bridge is seen as a separate and unifying project that could drive development and cooperation across the region.
Proposals to build a Red Sea crossing between the two countries date back to 1988 but have been delayed by political concerns.
With the planning now complete, both governments say they are ready to proceed.
Disclaimer: The image for the article was AI-generated.
