The 2026 outlook for Egypt’s energy and mining sectors and the country’s airport privatization push were in the spotlight on last night’s talk shows, with Oil Minister Karim Badawi and Civil Aviation Minister Sameh El Hefny appearing in separate interviews to talk about what to expect next year.

We’re getting a digital portal for mining sector investments in 2026, Badawi told Ala Masouleety’s Ahmed Moussa, as the ministry is working on new investment initiatives in the new year. Among these initiatives is launching a new gold refinery, as well as conducting the first aerial survey in more than four decades. The survey will look to identify mining prospects across the country, Badawi said.

ALSO- There will be no new fuel price increases until October 2026, Badawi told Moussa, saying that the government is looking to nearly double daily crude production to 1 mn barrels to achieve self-sufficiency (watch, runtime: 1:44:33).

Privatization ≠ selling…

The private sector is being brought in to manage and operate — not buy — airports in Egypt, Aviation Minister Sameh El Hefny told El Sora’s Lamees El Hadidy. All matters related to sovereign procedures — such as inspections, customs, or air traffic control — can’t be delegated to any private entity, and will continue to be handled by the government (watch, runtime: 00:39).

DATA POINT- Cairo Airport is expected to handle 30 mn passengers by the end of 2025, an increase of at least 2.5 mn passengers from 2024. Total passenger traffic across all airports in Egypt is expected to reach 60 mn by year-end, with a 20% growth rate at some airports (watch, runtime: 01:50).

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