Poland’s industrial footprint in Africa is growing. On 7 June 2026, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly officially opened the first phase of the Al Gharably Industrial Complex in New Borg El Arab, near Alexandria. The project involves Polish firms Tabor Dębica, Metal-Technik and Fiedor Group, marking the first such large-scale industrial cooperation between Egypt and Poland.
The complex spans around 315,000 square metres and already employs 3,000 workers. It includes a 100,000-square-metre steel structure factory equipped with the largest beam production line in Egypt, capable of handling steel beams up to 60 metres long and steel thicknesses up to 130 mm. The facility also features heavy-duty cranes with a lifting capacity of 110 tonnes and holds international quality certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ASME for pressure equipment. The second phase is expected to bring total employment to 5,000.
Polish technology is at the heart of the next stages. A joint venture called GTRM (Gharably Tabor Railway Manufacturing) with an investment estimated at between 25 and 40 million euros will produce up to 300 railway wagons per year. Around 40 percent of output is destined for export to the Gulf states and other African countries. Talks also cover the potential modernisation of 200 diesel locomotives and maintenance of over 4,000 freight wagons, including a project with Egypt’s NERIC for up to 835 new and modernised wagons.
Polish railway know-how enters Africa
– We have been developing the offer of Tabor Dębica in Egypt for over a year. After a series of meetings and an analysis of our capacities in the huge procurement tenders run by Arab and African countries, we have partnered with one of the best industrial companies in Egypt – said Abdelbary Nader, vice president of Tabor Egypt and business development director for the Middle East and Africa at Tabor Dębica.
– The first phase could be the overhaul of 30 locomotives in Egypt with Polish technology and know-how – added Wojciech Paczyński, advisor to Tabor Egypt. He stressed that the need for modern rolling stock across Africa is enormous. A tender for 600 diesel locomotives, possibly the largest ever in Africa, is about to be launched. In Algeria alone, 85 locomotives will be needed in the coming years.
Marian Dybowski, president of Tabor Dębica and Tabor Egypt, confirmed that discussions are already underway on a training system for future workers. – We are talking about a training system to equip workers with the best competencies for producing and maintaining rolling stock – he said.
Agricultural machinery and broader industrial cooperation
Another strategic project involves Metal-Technik, a Polish manufacturer of agricultural and construction machinery. The plan is to build a production plant costing between 15 and 25 million euros, turning out around 1,000 tractors annually. Up to 50 percent of output would go to export markets in the Gulf and Africa. – Polish and European companies are welcome in Egypt, which is an excellent base for expansion into the Middle East and Africa. Low labour costs, cheap and available energy, including oil, improve the business case for locating production here. Polish firms need not fear competition from China if they are open to transferring technology and co-producing in Egypt – stressed Abdelbary Nader.
Jarosław Adamski, president of Metal-Technik, described the cooperation as a tangible sign of growing economic ties between Poland and Egypt. – The participation of Polish companies in the planned investments fits into the growing economic cooperation between Poland and Egypt and can help increase the presence of Polish technologies and industrial solutions in African and Middle Eastern markets – he said.
Zofia Wawrzynek, president of Fiedor Group, also part of the Polish delegation, added: – Cooperation with a company that has a strong position on the local market allows us to plan a balanced expansion and reach users on new markets with our technologies.
The opening of the complex in Borg El Arab has been recognised as one of the most important industrial projects currently under way in northern Egypt.
Źródło: wnp.pl, Fot. Tabor Egypt
