The 7th Edition of the MENA Transport Report

The Middle East and North Africa region is experiencing a significant transformation in public transport and urban mobility, driven by substantial investments and innovative projects.

The Centre for Transport Excellence in Dubai is proud to announce the release of the 7th MENA Transport Report, MENA on the Move: Public Transport and Urban Mobility Progress and Trends. Over the years, this report has established itself as the premier reference for public transport professionals in the MENA region, as well as for those with a keen interest in the region, offering actionable insights for policymakers, urban and mobility planners, and industry stakeholders.

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From Dubai’s fully automated metro system—now expanding its bus fleet with alternative fuel buses and pioneering air taxi technology, pushing the boundaries of urban transport even further—to Oman’s plans for the Muscat Metro and the rollout of several electric bus projects, the newly launched $22.5 billion Riyadh Metro in Saudi Arabia, and Qatar’s state-of-the-art Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, as well as micromobility options like e-scooters and shared bikes rapidly gaining popularity as convenient and sustainable first- and last-mile solutions, the region is embracing innovation to address rapid urbanisation and the growing demand for sustainable mobility.

Abu Dhabi is advancing with initiatives like the trial of the Automated Rapid Transit system and the implementation of the Green Bus Program, further enhancing its sustainability efforts. Bahrain’s metro project, with 29 kilometres of elevated tracks and 20 stations, and Iraq’s metro plans in Baghdad are also emerging as transformative projects. Meanwhile, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia are making strides in urban mobility with new BRT systems, tramway expansions, and light rail transport projects. These developments highlight MENA’s commitment to sustainable and innovative solutions.

This year’s edition brings enhanced geographic and analytical depth to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of the region’s public transport systems:

• Expanded Geographic Coverage: We’ve included one additional country and eight new cities, extending our analysis to 40 cities across 14 MENA countries, ensuring broader insights into diverse urban mobility contexts.
• Cluster-Specific Benchmarking: In addition to comparing key metrics such as fleet sizes, network lengths, ridership, and fares, between cities in the region and internationally, this edition offers a more refined analysis by categorising cities based on income classifications and population sizes. This approach allows cities to assess how they perform in comparison to peers with similar economic and demographic characteristics. As well, the benchmarking examines critical relationships, including those between car ownership rates, public transport accessibility, annual CO2 emissions, and public support for climate change policies. The objective of this exercise was to identify patterns, trends, and gaps that influence public transport strategies, public perception, and the future of urban mobility in the region.

• Prioritised Recommendations: Based on these insights, the report presents tailored recommendations, prioritised into low, medium, and high levels, to guide MENA cities toward more sustainable and efficient transport systems.

At the heart of the report is a deep-dive into 40 cities across 14 MENA countries, covering:

• General Data: Population, density, GDP, urban growth, car ownership rates, and more.
• National and Local Strategies: Urban mobility visions, strategies, plans and programmes at both levels.
• Different Public Transport Systems: Key metrics for the available modes including network lengths, stops, ridership, fares, and operators.
• Urban Mobility Projects: Detailed assessments of ongoing and planned initiatives, including the budget allocated for the projects, the status and the awarded contracts.

These profiles offer a comprehensive view of the region’s mobility landscape, equipping public and private stakeholders with the knowledge to address challenges, seize opportunities, and drive impactful change.

As the MENA region witnesses rapid advancements in public transport and urban mobility, this report serves as a critical tool for decision-makers. Its rigorous benchmarking, insightful analysis, practical recommendations, and overview of the different developments happening in the region not only clarify how to navigate changes, but also enable stakeholders to shape policies, prioritise investments, and promote collaboration. Whether you’re a policymaker, an urban and mobility planner, an operator or an investor, this report provides the insights you need to navigate the evolving landscape of public transport and urban mobility in MENA.

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