Iraq to launch construction of Baghdad Metro by end of 2025

Iraq aims to break ground on the long-delayed Baghdad Metro project by the end of 2025, a senior official said, in what authorities describe as a milestone effort to modernise the capital's overwhelmed transport system.

Mohammed al-Najjar, advisor to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the metro is "a vital and strategic project that has been long awaited". He said construction will begin with one line and expand in phases, following a comprehensive plan developed by a newly established project management body.

The Baghdad Metro project has been under discussion for decades. Originally proposed in the 1980s, it was repeatedly shelved due to war, political instability, and international sanctions. Once completed, it will be the first of its kind in Iraq.

The metro would span 148 kilometres (92 miles) and include seven lines and 64 stations. The project is estimated to cost $18 billion and is expected to be completed within four years.

The system will combine underground, surface-level, and elevated tracks to accommodate Baghdad's varied urban landscape. "Part of the metro will be underground in older areas, surface-level where space allows, and elevated in less densely developed districts," al-Najjar said. "It's an advanced model that will integrate multiple technologies to ensure smooth operation."

In late June, Prime Minister al-Sudani formally received the accreditation of the international consortium Vaskhod & Wonter Capital, selected to lead the design, implementation, operation, maintenance, financing, and ownership transfer (DBOMFT) of the Baghdad Metro.

The consortium comprises French, Spanish, and Turkish firms, as well as Germany's Deutsche Bank.

According to a government statement, 250 land plots have already been handed over to investors. A global consultancy has been contracted to finalise the initial designs, which will trigger the start of construction.

Sudani has championed the metro and a planned high-speed railway between Najaf and Karbala as key infrastructure projects.

"The Baghdad Metro project will significantly improve transport for a city of over eight million people," he said in February. "It will connect most neighbourhoods and extend to new urban centres like Al-Jawahir, Ali Al-Wardi, and New Sadr City."

The government has defended its contractor selection process following online criticism, stating that the firms involved are internationally accredited and that the consulting contract was set below the government's cost cap. Officials also underscored that the investor, not the state, would bear financial responsibility.

Currently, most Baghdad residents depend on taxis and buses for daily travel. Chronic congestion means even short commutes can take hours. The metro, officials argue, will offer a cleaner, faster alternative and reduce pressure on road networks.

"This is not a small project—it requires years of work," said al-Najjar. "But it's finally moving forward, and we are committed to seeing it through."