We could be in line for USD 2.7 bn from the IMF this fall

Tuesday, 16 Sep 2025

We could be in line for USD 2.7 bn from the IMF this fall

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Today at a glance

Economy

We could secure USD 274 mn in climate financing from the IMF this fall.

Investment Watch

The Red Sea could be looking at 5 new tourism projects.

Manufacturing

Domty has plans to set up shop in Saudi Arabia.

Diplomacy

El Sisi condemns Israeli strike on Doha during Arab-Islamic summit.

Also on our Radar

A USD 25 mn Tunisian investment in our agriculture sector?

PLANET FINANCE

US Fed set to deliver first cut of 2025 as global central banks line up policy moves.

Going Green

Local agricultural production challenges are holding back the country’s export ambitions.

What We're Tracking Today

SCZone revenues hit record high last fiscal year

Good morning, friends and happy hump day. It’s a pretty quiet morning here at home with the latest on our upcoming IMF review once again driving the conversation. We could be in for additional funds from the Resilience and Sustainability Facility if we commit to a handful of climate-focused reforms, bringing our total disbursals from the Fund this fall to USD 2.7 bn.

AND- The Red Sea rush continues: A week after the announcement of Emaar Misr and Citystars Properties’ EGP 900 bn tourism project on the Red Sea, we have word that there’s more where that came from with five new projects in the pipeline.

PSA-

WEATHER- Things are cooling down here in Cairo, with the capital in for a high of 33°C and a low of 23°C today, according to our favorite weather app.

It’s a little cooler in Alexandria, with a high of 30°C and a low of 23°C.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- The National Narrative for Economic Development is now open for community dialogue. The Planning Ministry published its National Narrative for Economic Development on its website and invited citizens to download, read, and submit their feedback on the strategy. The ministry will also hold discussions with experts, researchers, and academics over the next two months as part of a wider community dialogue, according to a statement from the ministry.

REMEMBER- The government launched the five-year vision last week, laying out a roadmap to sustain reforms and push the economy toward trade- and export-led growth. The vision prioritizes manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, energy, and ICT, setting out clear quantitative goals through 2030. The final version of the narrative will be released in December.

#2- US port investments and partnerships incoming? A US business delegation is touring the country’s ports this week to explore collaborating with “Egyptian partners in developing world-class ports,” according to a statement from the US Embassy in Egypt. The delegation included representatives from Bechtel, Cisco, Hill International, TMEIC, OSI/Rapiscan, Aveva, and Alvarez & Marsal Holdings.

“The companies represented in Alexandria today embody the best of American innovation, technology, and expertise,” said US Ambassador Herro Mustafa Garg at the start of the tour, which includes stops at the ports at Damietta, Port Said, and Ain Sokhna. “This US business delegation is eager to support Egypt’s port development efforts, laying the groundwork for enhanced security, economic growth, and prosperity for both our nations,” she added.

DATA POINT-

Suez Canal Economic Zone revenues hit record high: The SCZone booked record revenues of EGP 11.6 bn last fiscal year — up 38% y-o-y and 11% above forecasts, according to a statement from the Suez Canal Authority.

SUKUK WATCH-

Weekly sukuk roundup: The yield to maturity on our sovereign sukuk fell sharply to 6.30% last Thursday, down from 7.44% the week before, according to the weekly report (pdf) about the performance of our sovereign sukuk. Egyptian sovereign sukuk prices rose to USD 102.02, up from USD 101.60 a week earlier.

HAPPENING TOMORROW-

The Cairo Regional Forum on Financing Renewables, Green Hydrogen, andGreen Ammonia kicks off tomorrow at Nile University. The two-day event, hosted by the GH2 International Green Hydrogen Center of Excellence in Cairo, will bring together policymakers, renewables payers, financial institutions, and others to discuss renewable energy investment and collaboration in the region.

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THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

International headlines are locked on US President Donald Trump’s visit to the UK this week, where Washington and London are set to roll out over USD 10 bn in economic agreements covering science and technology, civil nuclear power, and defense tech. The package — which officials say will deepen financial and innovation ties — will be unveiled during an event with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. (Reuters | Bloomberg | CNN | BBC | The Guardian | Associated Press | New York Times)

CLOSER TO HOME- Qatar’s emir has urged Arab and Muslim leaders to take “concrete steps” against Israel after last week’s missile strikes in Doha that targeted Hamas leadership, writes the Financial Times. In his speech during yesterday’s emergency Arab-Islamic summit, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani denounced the attack as “blatant, treacherous and cowardly” and accused Israel of waging a “genocidal war” on Palestinians.

El Sisi attended the summit, where he delivered his own speech condemning Israel’s attack and expressing Egypt’s solidarity with Qatar. We have the details of El Sisi’s time in Doha in the news well, below.

AND IN MARKET NEWS- Alphabet became the fourth US company to hit a market cap of USD 3 tn yesterday after shares hit a record USD 252 on the back of investor optimism following the company’s July results. (Financial Times | Reuters | CNBC | Bloomberg | Wall Street Journal)

ALSO WORTH NOTING THIS MORNING- A wave of Gen Z revolutions is reshaping Asian politics, as youthful protesters from Nepal to Bangladesh and Indonesia mobilize social media platforms to topple entrenched leaders, demand transparency, and challenge corrupt elites. (Financial Times)

*** It’s Going Green day — your weekly briefing of all things green in Egypt: EnterpriseAM’s green economy vertical focuses each Tuesday on the business of renewable energy and sustainable practices in Egypt, everything from solar and wind energy through to water, waste management, sustainable building practices and how you can make your business greener, whatever the sector.

In today’s issue: We take a look at the agricultural production challenges holding back the country’s export ambitions.

Tags:

Suez Canal Economic Zone What We're Tracking Today

As the Sahel summer winds down, the Red Sea is just getting started. Say hello to Somabay, a year-round seaside escape where tranquil waters, world-class diving, kitesurfing, golf, and wellness come together in one breathtaking destination. This September, it also hosts the ITF World Tennis Tour, bringing world-class tennis to the coast. Somabay is the perfect next stop, a place where the season never ends, and every day feels like the first day of summer.

Economy

Resilience and Sustainability Facility could bump up total disbursements from upcoming IMF reviews to USD 2.7 bn

The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) could add a further USD 274 mn to the total amount disbursed to us this fall, once the fifth and sixth reviews of our USD 8 bn Extended Fund Facility are approved, a source familiar with the talks between the two sides told EnterpriseAM. The additional climate financing would come from the first two tranches of the roughly USD 1.2 bn program and bring the combined fifth and sixth review disbursals to USD 2.7 bn.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

REMEMBER- The IMF will send a mission on 1 October to Egypt to wrap up its fifth and sixth reviews, a senior government official told EnterpriseAM late last week.

But to get the extra funds, Egypt will have to make progress on four key climate-focused reforms and eventually complete them by the end of the program — which is understood to end in conjunction with the EFF in September 2026, according to guidance set out by the Fund. The IMF’s demand to phase out fuel subsidies will only be tied to our EFF arrangement with the Fund, our source clarified. The RSF’s four key reforms, according to documents from the IMF reviewed by EnterpriseAM, are:

#1- Accelerating decarbonization: Egypt needs a practical plan to achieve its decarbonization pledges, including generating 30% of its electricity from renewables by 2030 and cutting methane emissions 30% by 2030 and 65% by 2050 under its Global Methane Pledge. To do this, the IMF wants us to take the following steps:

Publishing a renewables roadmap through 2030, which details how Egypt will work to achieve its climate targets by the end of the decade;
Requiring quarterly or annual emissions reduction reports from oil and gas companies, along with the issuing of emission reduction targets aligned with Egypt’s Nationally Determined Contributions, with fines for non-compliance after a two-year grace period.

#2- Climate risk analysis and disclosure: Given Egypt’s vulnerability to climate risks, reforms should also focus on risk identification, data, and resilience, such as:

Publishing a quantitative analysis of long-term climate-related fiscal risks and contingencies — starting from the FY 2026-2027 budget;
Adopting a national disaster risk financing strategy that integrates social safety nets;
Establishing a National Water Council by a prime ministerial decree, which will be chaired by the PM and include key ministers and representatives from the agriculture, irrigation, housing, environment, and planning ministries.

#3- Strengthening financial sector resilience and climate finance: The Central Bank of Egypt should lead reforms to ensure banks can manage climate-related financial risks alongside supporting the provision of climate finance. The reforms should entail:

Ordering banks to monitor and report their clients’ exposure to the EU’s incoming Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which is set to come into effect at the start of 2026, followed by the UK’s own initiative in 2027;
Enforcing a regulatory framework obliging banks to adopt Environmental and Social Risk Management Systems. This should cover climate risk, with clear implementation timelines and guidelines;
Adding two new subprojects to the National Climate Strategy — one for adaptation and another for mitigation — with preliminary feasibility studies to attract private investment this year and adoption of further measures by June 2026.

#4- Measuring and disclosing climate impacts of investments: Egypt must adopt a system for assessing the environmental impacts of major investments, including:

Applying climate-related standards to all new projects worth over EGP 500 mn, which will be based on standardized climate mitigation and adaptation requirements;
Expanding the current asset registry pilot to cover the transport, housing, and utilities ministries, focusing on large public assets. The IMF also recommended conducting internal climate risk analyses for select assets and publishing a comprehensive overview of climate risks and mitigation measures across the government’s assets portfolio.

DATA POINT- The IMF estimates that Egypt will need to spend USD 196 bn on climate change mitigation and USD 50 bn on adaptation, while the Environment Ministry has pencilled in a higher combined figure of USD 300 bn.

Tags:

economy IMF state privatization program

STAY TUNED

The EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum is just 21 days away

Mark your calendar for the 2025 EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum, our flagship forum and part of our must-attend series of invitation-only, C-suite-level gatherings. Tap the image to register your interest to attend and here to visit the website and keep up to date on the agenda and speaker lineup. Want to partner with us? Reach out to Moustafa Taalab at mtaalab@enterprisemea.com to explore sponsorship opportunities.

Investment Watch

Egypt’s Red Sea could be looking at 5 new tourism projects

The government is working to position the Red Sea as a year-round global destination with four to five new tourism projects being in the pipeline, covering 3-4 mn sqm, a government source told EnterpriseAM. There are already offers on the table for projects stretching from Marsa Alam to Hurghada.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

What’s driving demand? The Red Sea is a tourism hotspot that is currently looking at a shortage in hotel rooms. Hotels are already running at 100% occupancy through January, according to the government source — a squeeze that has investors piling into new projects.

Land in the area was historically capped at around USD 130 (EGP 6.3k) per sqm, our source said. Following the announcement of Emaar Misr and Citystars Properties’ landmark EGP 900 bn Marassi Red Sea development, authorities are now moving to revalue plots in the area. Pricing will factor in existing infrastructure and aims to maximize state revenues, the source said.

The government is looking to raise EGP 150 bn from land sales in the Red Sea, with 14 land plots being offered to private investors at an indicative rate of EGP 4.5k per sqm, a government source told Asharq Business. The plots are expected to attract tourism, service, and industrial projects and generate some 5k jobs.

What’s next: Authorities are cataloging Red Sea plots to map out new investment zones. Once the process is complete, the Tourism Development Authority will roll out fresh investment prospects, with updated mechanisms and incentives to fast-track projects.

REMEMBER- Egypt wants to nearly double annual tourist arrivals to 30 mn by 2030, up from 15.7 mn in 2024, and expand hotel room capacity to 500k from today’s 228k. Officials are banking on Gulf capital and a more structured approach to land allocation to get them there.

Tags:

investment watch real estate Red Sea tourism

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Manufacturing

Domty has plans to set up shop in Saudi Arabia

Domty is considering setting up a factory in Saudi Arabia in the near future, CEO Mohamed El Damaty told EnterpriseAM. The move comes as part of the EGX-listed company’s plan to set up shop in its largest export markets — the GCC and Africa. The timeline for the targeted expansion was not disclosed.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

Denmark’s Arla Foods is still interested in the food manufacturer, we were told. Arla previously announced its intention to acquire 100% of Domty in a transaction that was valued at EGP 8.9 bn in October last year. Arla is expected to submit a new offer to acquire a stake in Domty after the bakery division is separated, El Damaty confirmed.

REMEMBER- The Danish company had previously delayed submitting a mandatory tender offer to acquire the company in April, after Domty announced its intention to separate its bakery segment from the company ahead of the sale. Arla cited its inability to complete legal, financial, and technical due diligence, while Domty proceeded with a spin-off, which led it to put the acquisition on ice for the time being.

The spinning off of its bakery division into a separate company is expected to be completed by the end of this year, with the new company set to be listed on the EGX during 1Q 2026, El Damaty said.

The El Damaty family intends to remain a shareholder in the company post-acquisition, while Mohamed El Damaty will continue as managing director, El Damaty told us.

Tags:

Domty food Manufacturing Saudi Arabia

A MESSAGE FROM VISA

What happens when businesses go digital?

Businesses that accept digital payments can become a powerful engine for economic growth.

Transitioning from cash to digital payments can generate annual GDP gains of 1% to 2%.

Globally, increased card usage (debit, credit, and prepaid) added USD 245 bn to real GDP between 2015 and 2019. Across 70 countries and territories studied, each 1% increase in card usage correlated with an average annual increase of approximately USD 67 bn in consumption.

How does it work?

Increased consumption fuels production, leading to job creation, higher incomes, and stronger economic growth.

The positive impact is driven by:

Reduced friction: Streamlined transactions eliminate the need for exact cash and reduce cash handling risks.

Standardized spending: Global acceptance standards simplify international transactions and cross-border commerce.

More innovation: A standardized ecosystem fosters competition and innovation among payment providers.

Demand for value-added services: Offerings go beyond basic transactions, with services such as loyalty programs and data-driven insights for customer experience and enhanced efficiency.

Enhanced security: Secure card payments build trust, essential for driving consumption.

Learn more

Tags:

A MESSAGE FROM VISA Visa

Diplomacy

Egypt’s El Sisi condemns Israeli strike on Doha during Arab-Islamic summit

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi was in Doha yesterday to attend the emergency Arab-Islamic summit to discuss Israel’s airstrike on the Qatari capital, which killed five Hamas officials and one Qatari security official, according to an Ittihadeya statement. El Sisi delivered a speech during the summit laying out Egypt’s approach and its commitment to regional security and stability.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

El Sisi used his speech to deliver Egypt’s strongest condemnation yet of Israel’s strike on Qatar, calling it “a grave violation of international law and the UN Charter, a dangerous precedent, and a threat to Arab and Islamic national security.” He said the attack “reflects how Israeli practices have crossed every political and military red line” and warned that “this behavior risks expanding the conflict and dragging the region into a dangerous spiral of escalation.” He stressed Egypt’s full solidarity with Qatar and said the strike undermines mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the US, aimed at reaching a Gaza ceasefire.

Speaking of Gaza, El Sisi said that “it is time to deal seriously and decisively with the Palestinian cause” and renewed his call for “the immediate recognition of the State of Palestine.” He warned that Israel’s policies undermine all chances for peace and said the region needs an Arab-Islamic security and cooperation framework to stop unilateral arrangements.

The president was also busy on the sidelines of the conference, with several bilateral meetings to discuss joint cooperation and coordination. El Sisi’s meeting with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discussed the importance of creating a “shared vision for collective Arab action and forming a unified front to protect Arab national security,” according to a separate statement.

El Sisi also met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, where both leaders highlighted the growing momentum in Egyptian–Turkish ties and pledged continued coordination on regional and international issues, according to a separate statement. They jointly condemned Israel’s attack on Qatar and rejected “policies of blockade and starvation” targeting Palestinians, reiterating that the only path to lasting stability is a two-state solution.

Also on the sidelines: El Sisi met with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss boosting economic and investment cooperation.

Tags:

Abdel Fattah El Sisi DIPLOMACY Gaza Middle East politics Qatar

Also on our Radar

A USD 25 mn Tunisian investment in Egypt;s agriculture sector?

AGRICULTURE-

Tunisia eyes USD 25 mn investment in Egypt’s agriculture sector: Tunisia’s Union for Industry, Trade, and Handicrafts plans to invest USD 25 mn to establish a 10k-feddan olive farm and an olive oil production facility in Egypt, a government official told Asharq Business. The project would make use of Egypt’s vast agricultural land and growing demand for olive-based products.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

REGULATION WATCH-

The Labor Ministry issued a ministerial decree setting out new rules for approving workers’ resignations under the new Labor Law, according to a statement from the ministry. The decree aims to protect workers’ rights, simplify procedures, and ensure they can access their entitlements and documents after they terminate their employment, the statement showed.

NBFS-

Tamweely expands its scope with rebrand: Tamweely Microfinance has rebranded to Tamweely Financial Services, signaling its transformation into a full-spectrum non-banking financial services player. The company — previously focused solely on microfinance — is now branching into SME lending, leasing, and micro-ins., with plans to roll out Islamic finance and consumer finance products.

REFRESHER- This strategic shift comes after an international consortium — comprising SPE Capital’s SPE PEF III fund, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Tanmiya Capital Ventures, and British International Investment — acquired the company last year for EGP 2.8 bn from state-owned shareholders. The transaction marked one of the government’s flagship privatization transactions and was billed as a major vote of confidence in Egypt’s non-bank financial services sector.

Tags:

agriculture ALSO ON OUR RADAR labor Labor Ministry non-banking financial services Tamweely trade Tunisia

PLANET FINANCE

US Fed set to deliver first cut of 2025 as global central banks line up policy moves

The Fed is expected to deliver its first rate cut in nine months tomorrow, with a 25 basis point reduction looking like the most likely scenario. A bigger 50 bps cut could be on the table as well amid signs that US job growth is slowing, Bloomberg reports. Futures also price further reductions in October and December, and deeper into 2026, as softening consumption and weaker job growth offset concerns about tariff-driven inflation.

Treasuries have dipped to their lowest in months ahead of the meeting, CNBC reports, with the 10-year yield at 4.06%, the 2-year at 3.55%, and the 30-year at 4.68%.

Everyone’s focus will now shift on the pace of cuts moving forward. Retail sales data due today and jobless claims on Thursday will help shape expectations for the pace of easing, especially as inflation still remains above the Fed’s target. The Fed’s dovish tone, coupled with US President Donald Trump’s pressure on the Fed to cut rates and the last-minute appointment of Trump adviser Stephen Miran as Fed governor in time for this week’s meeting, all support the case for a steady string of cuts in the near term.

Data-driven, but largely political: Bloomberg economists frame the move as primarily political, despite the hard data making a case for it in line with the Fed’s mandate, saying, “the markets expect a rate cut, the White House wants it — and we think Powell is doing what he sees as needed to fend off further threats to the Fed’s independence.”

Strategists warn the cut may cool risk appetite. The S&P 500 is up 12% this year on Big Tech and AI momentum, but Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan see scope for profit-taking, Bloomberg reports separately. “Near-term risk is centered on the tension between lagging, weak labor data, and the Fed’s response that may not meet the markets’ ‘need for speed’,” said Morgan Stanley’s Michael Wilson.

Others remain upbeat: Deutsche Bank and Barclays have raised their year-end S&P targets on the back of tech momentum and strong corporate earnings, while Oppenheimer’s John Stoltzfus expects any dip after the cut to be shallow if US fundamentals hold.

The Fed decision also kicks off a 36-hour run of central bank moves covering two-fifths of global GDP:

The Bank of Canada is expected to cut its policy rate by 25 bps to 2.5% after economic contraction in 2Q and weak jobs figures;
The Bank of England will likely hold steady at 4% following its August cut, though officials are expected to slow quantitative tightening;
Norway faces a close call between holding or cutting again, with inflation staying above 3% and making the case for postponing a cut;
The Bank of Japan is set to leave rates unchanged but looks likely to maintain a tightening bias as inflation remains elevated.

Elsewhere, others are holding steady. Brazil is expected to keep interest rates at 15%, while South Africa looks likely to keep its benchmark rate at 7% as inflation ticks higher and forecasts put Bank Indonesia as holding steady at 5% amid political uncertainty. Israel’s inflation may fall below target for the first time in more than a year, potentially opening the door to cuts later this month.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets are firmly in the green this morning amid signs that US-China talks in Spain are going well, with Japan’s Nikkei and Topix both notching fresh highs. Wall Street futures are mostly flat on news of Miran’s appointment as Fed governor, following a day in the green for S&P 500 and Nasdaq.

EGX30	35,166	+0.2% (YTD: +18.2%)
USD (CBE)	Buy 48.11	Sell 48.25
USD (CIB)	Buy 48.12	Sell 48.22
Interest rates (CBE)	22.00% deposit	23.00% lending
Tadawul	10,427	-0.1% (YTD: -13.4%)
ADX	10,036	+0.2% (YTD: +6.6%)
DFM	6,041	+0.2% (YTD: +17.1%)
S&P 500	6,615	+0.5% (YTD: +12.5%)
FTSE 100	9,277	-0.1% (YTD: +13.5%)
Euro Stoxx 50	5,440	+0.9% (YTD: +11.1%)
Brent crude	USD 67.52	+0.1%
Natural gas (Nymex)	USD 3.01	-1.0%
Gold	USD 3,717	-0.1%
BTC	USD 115,438	+0.1% (YTD: +23.4%)
S&P Egypt Sovereign Bond Index	919.77	+0.1% (YTD: +18.3%)
S&P MENA Bond & Sukuk	150.36	0.0% (YTD: +7.4)
VIX (Volatility Index)	15.69	+6.3% (YTD: -9.6%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The EGX30 rose 0.2% at yesterday’s close on turnover of EGP 4.9 bn (10% above the 90-day average). Local investors were the sole net sellers. The index is up 18.2% YTD.

In the green: Credit Agricole (+3.0%), Arabian Cement (+3.0%), and Telecom Egypt (+1.6%).

In the red: GB Corp (-5.6%), Raya Holding (-3.0%), and E-finance (-2.5%).

CORPORATE ACTION-

Bonyan wraps up EGP 250 mn capital increase: Real estate operator Bonyan has completed a capital increase of EGP 250 mn, bringing its paid-in capital to EGP 1.7 bn, according to a statement (pdf). The increase represents the primary portion of Bonyan’s IPO and will be used to support its long-term growth strategy and optimize its capital structure.

Tags:

Federal Reserve Financial Markets interest rates Planet Finance

Our weekly deep dive into the green economy and ESG issue in Egypt.

Published every Tuesday in EnterpriseAM.

Read going Green

Going Green

Local agricultural production challenges are holding back Egypt’s export ambitions

Egypt is looking to increase agricultural exports by over 70% by the end of the decade, with the government targeting USD 19 bn annually by 2030, up from around USD 11 bn exported during the 2024 season. While the government has doubled down on efforts to expand cultivated land, boost production efficiency, and upgrade associated logistics infrastructure, the sector continues to face complex challenges related to water scarcity, climate change, and rising domestic demand.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

Policymakers and farmers are eager for solutions, which include expanding smart agriculture, adopting modern irrigation technologies, and strengthening public-private partnerships (PPP) to support farmers and open new markets, according to participants of the Food Security Dialogue: A New Era for Egyptian Agriculture seminar. The Association for the Development of Horticultural Exports, the Egyptian Businessmen Association, and Germany’s BASF organized the event, which was attended by EnterpriseAM.

The agricultural sector is a key pillar of Egypt’s economy, employing a significant portion of the workforce and contributing 14% of GDP. Crop production represents 55% of this output, followed by livestock and poultry at 35%, and fisheries at 10%, according to Chairman of the Export Council for Agricultural Crops Abdel Hamid Eldemerdash.

There are a few reasons behind the recent growth in agricultural exports, including the activation of agricultural quarantine systems, farm coding, and strict adherence to global quality and safety standards, Agriculture Minister Alaa Farouk said during the event. Improvements in logistics infrastructure and the launch of new shipping lines, such as the ro-ro line between Damietta and Trieste in Europe, have also played a role.

New strains have played a part in increasing productivity, including wheat, which saw productivity rise to 19.5 arbed per feddan due to new strains developed by the Agricultural Research Center, according to Farouk. The minister also pointed to progress made with modern silos and advanced irrigation systems, as well as promising national projects like the New Delta reclamation project and the Sanabel Sono project.

But more needs to be done to address ongoing challenges, including water scarcity, climate change, geopolitical pressures, and a population growth exceeding 2.5 mn annually, Farouk said. There needs to be more investment in organic pesticides and encouragement for biological pest control, he said. The sector also needs increased support and funding for training and awareness programs for small farmers following the halt of external funding from USAID, participants noted.

Modern technologies and smart solutions also have a role to play. Smart agriculture and advanced irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation are considered a key step toward sustainable agricultural development amid water scarcity and desertification risks, Association for the Development of Horticultural Crops head Mohsen Elbeltagi said.

Egypt should also focus on high-value crops, identifying the most attractive crops for local consumption and export over the next 5-15 years. BASF Senior Vice President of Agricultural Solutions for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and CIS countries Gustavo Palerosi said. Egypt should aim to become a global leader in one or two products, like blueberries, Palerosi added.

The sector should also look toward the implementation of AI, according to Palerosi. Agriculture, as the oldest profession, must also modernize, use fewer natural resources, and reduce its environmental footprint, he argued.

Your top green economy stories for the week:

Chinese renewables firm Sungrow is looking to set up a battery storagefactory with an annual capacity of 10 GW in Egypt, as part of the country’s plans to localize components for renewables.
Egypt is among 13 countries in line for USD 634 mn in green financing from the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development. Jordan and Morocco are also getting a piece of the funds under the newly-launched Greening Financial Systems: Delivering Climate Finance for All program.
The EBRD, EU, and Green Climate Fund (GCF) will extend USD 50 mn in financing to the Suez Canal Bank to boost green lending and trade finance. The package includes a USD 25 mn loan under the EBRD’s Green Economy Financing Facility — with USD 3.75 mn co-financed by the GCF — and an uncommitted USD 25 mn to the bank’s trade finance limit.

Tags:

agriculture going green trade

CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER

17-18 September (Wednesday-Friday): The 2025 Cairo Regional Forum on Financing Renewables, Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia, Nile University, Cairo.

24-26 September (Wednesday-Friday): The launch of the 2025 Egyptian Entrepreneurial Sector Diagnostic Report at El Gouna.

24-27 September (Wednesday-Saturday): Cityscape Egypt 2025, Egypt International Exhibition Center

29-30 September-6 October (Monday-Tuesday): Techne Summit Cairo, Sultan Hussein Kamel Palace, Cairo

29 September-6 October (Monday-Monday): Egypt Innovation Week

30 September (Tuesday): The Egypt-South Korea Economic Cooperation and Partnership Forum.

The Egyptian-Moroccan Business Council to send a delegation of 23 local companies to Rabat.

The Engineering Export Council of Egypt will ship a commercial delegation to Russia to ramp up exports to European markets.

Egypt Education Platform (EEP) to launch two new schools in Alexandria and Somabay.

Egypt Otsuka’s nutritional products factory in Tenth of Ramadan to begin operations, with exports to Gulf countries expected by January 2026.

OCTOBER

1 October (Wednesday): IMF mission expected to visit Egypt for talks on combined fifth and sixth reviews of the EFF arrangement.

1 October (Wednesday): Applications for alternative housing for old rent tenants will open through an online platform or at post offices nationwide.

2 October (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee’s sixth meeting.

4-6 October (Saturday-Monday):Techne Summit Alexandria, Alexandria Bibliotheca, Alexandria

7 October (Tuesday): The 2025 EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum.

7-8 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): HACE-Hotel Expo, Egypt International Exhibitions Center.

7-9 October (Tuesday-Thursday): EgyMedica Exhibition, Cairo International Convention Center.

12-16 October (Sunday-Thursday): Cairo Water Week, Cairo.

19-20 October (Sunday-Monday): Egypt to host the fifth edition of the Aswan Forum.

19-22 October (Sunday-Wednesday): Arab African Investment and International Cooperation Summit.

23-25 October (Thursday-Saturday): Stone Africa Expo, Cairo International Conference Center.

October: The third iteration of the Export Smart Exhibition and Conference.

Mid-October: Capmas to publish the findings of its 2023-2024 income and expenditure survey.

NOVEMBER

1 November (Saturday): The official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

16-19 November (Sunday-Wednesday): Cairo ICT 2025, Egypt International Exhibition Center

20 November (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

23-25 November (Sunday-Tuesday): NEBU Expo 2025 gold and jewelry exhibition, Egypt International Exhibitions Center, New Cairo.

November: Egypt to join the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program.

DECEMBER

1-4 December: Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX), Egypt International Exhibition Center.

25 December: (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

Mid-2025: EGX launches sustainability index.

3Q 2025: Nasr Automotive begins locally manufacturing passenger cars.

3Q 2025: Polaris Parks to finalize contracts for two new industrial zones in the new capital and Sadat City.

Mid-2025: The Administrative Capital for Urban Developments to roll out the second phase of offering industrial plots to investors

2H 2025: Potential visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Egypt

4Q 2025: The beginning of construction works on China’s State Grid two solar projects.

4Q 2025: GB Auto starts assembling one of China’s Great Wall Motor models in 4Q 2025.

4Q 2025-1Q 2026: Kasrawy Group to launch first Avatr EV models in Egypt.

2025: The InterAcademy Partnership assembly.

2025: Nile Basin States Summit, Cairo, Egypt.

2025: Release of the government’s Startup Charter document.

Before 2025-end: The government will launch two ro-ro shipping lines with Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

2026

Early 2026: Passenger operations on the New Administrative Capital–Nasr City monorail scheduled to begin.

1Q 2026: Trial operations for the Ain Sokhna–Sixth of October section of Egypt’s first high-speed rail line scheduled to begin.

1 January: European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to fully come into effect.

10-12 February (Tuesday-Thursday): Gitex Global’s AI Everything Middle East & Africa Summit

15 March 2026: IMF to hold its seventh review of Egypt’s USD 8 bn EFF arrangement.

May 2026: End of extension for developers on 15% interest rates for land installment payments

15 September 2026: IMF to hold its eighth review of Egypt’s USD 8 bn EFF arrangement.

2H 2026: Operations at Deli Glass Co’s new USD 70 mn glassware factory kick off.

2027

20 January-7 February: Egypt to host the African Games.

April 2027: Tenth of Ramadan dry port and logistics hub to begin operations.

https://entlaq.com/events/2

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2027: Egypt to host EBRD’s annual meetings for 2027.

End of 2027: Trial operations at the Dabaa nuclear power plant expected to take place.

September 2028: First unit of the Dabaa nuclear power plant begins operations.

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