IMF postpone fourth loan review to October at latest

Tuesday, 27 Aug 2024

IMF postpone fourth loan review to October at latest

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Today at a glance

ECONOMY

Fund pushes back fourth loan review to October at the latest.

Education

Last year’s caps on tuition hikes at private, int’l schools to stay in force in the next academic year.

M&A WATCH

MENA Glass nearly doubles stake Middle East Glass to c 93.7%.

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

A handful of airport investments are up for grabs.

ALSO ON OUR RADAR

Gov’t cracks down on electricity theft with higher tariff for those caught.

ALSO ON OUR RADAR

Agricultural Ministry to offer up veterinary vaccine factory project to the private sector.

PLANET FINANCE

Election uncertainty make investment managers wary of pouring funds into infrastructure projects.

Going Green

The roadmap to adding 28 GW of renewable energy to the country’s energy mix.

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

Gov’t offers up seven airport investments

Good morning, all, and happy hump day. It’s another relatively quiet day in local business news as we hit the midpoint of the workweek. Today’s issue may not be the busiest we’ve ever had, but we have picked up some must-know IMF updates, M&A news, the latest on upcoming school fee hikes, and much more for you this morning.

PSA-

WEATHER- It’s another warm one in Cairo today, with a high of 36°C and a low of 27°C, according to our favorite weather app.

It’s only a tad cooler in Alexandria and along the North Coast, with a high of 33°C and a low of 23°C.

** DID YOU KNOW that we now cover Saudi Arabia and the UAE?

** Were you forwarded this email? Tap or click here to get your own copy delivered every weekday before 7am Cairo time — without charge.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Tourism authority offers grace period to land buyers to encourage investment: The Tourism Development Authority (TDA) will waive late payment penalties on land purchases for tourism development and investment companies that fully pay their installments by 31 August, 2025, according to a statement from the Housing Ministry. To demonstrate commitment, companies must make a 10% down payment on their installments by 31 October, 2024. The move is part of a set of measures aimed at supporting investors in the tourism sector.

Projects in Taba and Ras Sidr in particular are getting a helping hand: The TDA has also decided to offer development and investment companies in Sinai’s Taba and Ras Sidr a two-year extension of their project implementation deadlines and other measures in light of current geopolitical difficulties.

#2- GAFI draws up country-wide plan to boost investments: The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) and representatives of all governorates are set to form a permanent joint committee to promote and facilitate investments across the country, according to a statement by GAFI. The committee will work to update the country’s investment opportunities and development-ready pieces of land on its Invest in Egypt online database.

#3- A handful of airport investments are up for grabs: The government is offering seven investment projects at a number of airports across the country, Asharq Business reports, citing government data. Here’s the rundown:

Cairo Airport: A 4.9 mn sqm plot of land in the airport’s investment zone for setting up commercial and service activities under the usufruct system.
Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport: A 285-feddan plot of land to set up tourism and investment service areas near the airport fence.
And: A 3.9k sqm building and a vacant 39.5k sqm land plot for the establishment of a hotel or commercial mall in the vicinity of the Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport.
Borg El Arab Airport: Setting up a tourist and commercial area within the airport through a partnership, lease, or tender.
El Tor Airport: Setting up tourism and investment service areas within the airport through lease or partnership arrangements.
Port Said Airport: A 2.8-feddan plot near the airport fence for setting up a service area through a partnership, lease, or tender.
Assiut International Airport: A vacant 3.6k sqm land for establishing a commercial and industrial zone through a partnership or lease.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

UK-Egypt trade and investment in the spotlight: Our friends at HSBC, together with the Egyptian-British Chamber of Commerce (EBCC) and UK Export Finance (UKEF), will host a webinar this week to discuss how to support infrastructure reforms, potential partnerships in Egypt, and ways to support and connect companies around the world. The webinar takes place Thursday (29 August) from 12-1pm CLT / 1-2pm UAE.

Want to attend? You can sign up here.

The webinar is a scene-setter for the Egypt-UK Investment and Opportunities Forum in London on Monday, 16 September.

Infrastructure is a key part of the forum. The gathering — which follows on from a June infrastructure mission — will focus on promoting trade and investment in infrastructure, with an emphasis on green hydrogen and renewables as well as sectors including the auto industry, food processing, and tech.

Networking: The forum will include both open panels and pre-arranged business-to-business networking. It will also give attendees the chance to meet with government officials and industry leaders. GAFI will be on hand to deliver an economic update.

Want to join them in London? Register your interest in attending the event here.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

We have a date for the US-Egypt Joint Economic Committee meeting: The committee will be convening on 4-5 September in Washington to talk all things partnership between the two countries’ private sectors, boosting trade, bilateral investment, and following up on the outcomes of the first meeting of the committee, according to an Investment Ministry statement.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

The international business press can’t agree on a story with which to lead this morning’s front pages, giving us instead a rather mixed bag. Among the stories and headlines getting top billing:

#1- Russia launched a barrage of missiles at Ukraine, targeting the country’s energy and water infrastructure in what Kyiv said appears to be a tactic from Moscow to hit water and heating infrastructure ahead of the winter months. The missile attacks from Russia come after Ukraine’s invasion of Russia’s western Kursk region this month, which marked a significant victory for Ukraine 2.5 years into their war. (Reuters | Bloomberg | New York Times)

#2- Skydance looks set to acquire Paramount after American businessman Edgar Bronfman Jr. decided to drop a bid to buy the studio. Bronfman — who previously served as CEO of Warner Music Group — raised doubts on his ability to secure the financing necessary for a USD 6 bn bid for Paramount before the deadline to submit a final offer tomorrow. The Wall Street Journal and CNBC have the story, and the New York Times also has more on Bronfman and the dynamics at play in the bidding dance.

ALSO- Apple is hosting a press event on 9 September, at which the company is expected to unveil new iPhone and Apple Watch models. Analysts don’t expect the upcoming iPhone 16 will be significantly different from its predecessor, save for redesigned cameras. (CNBC)

WHILE CLOSER TO HOME- Gaza ceasefire talks in Cairo are set to continue over the next few days, the US national security spokesperson John Kirby said yesterday. Despite reports that the talks mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US had failed to make any progress, Kirby insisted that they had been “constructive” and “actually progressed to a point where they felt like the next logical step was to … sit down to hammer out these finer details.”

*** It’s Going Green day — your weekly briefing of all things green in Egypt: Enterprise’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 how the government plans to add 28 GW of renewable energy to the country’s energy mix in the next five to seven years.

Tags:

aviation WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

Beauty unveiled amidst ancient wonders: Celebrate the beauty, nature, and cultural legacy of 30 nations as Miss Elite 2024 returns to the enchanting shores of Somabay from 2-14 September. For the fourth consecutive year, Somabay is hosting this prestigious international beauty pageant, celebrating women’s beauty and intelligence on a global scale. Experience the fusion of antiquity and modern elegance by attending the Grand Finale on 13 September at Mazeej Soma Beach Platform.

ECONOMY

IMF to begin fourth loan review by October at the latest

The delayed fourth IMF loan review is still right around the corner: The International Monetary Fund is set to conduct the fourth review of our USD 8 bn loan program by the end of September or in October at the latest, two government sources told Enterprise. The review, which was pushed back from its initial date in September, is set to unlock a USD 1.3 bn tranche.

But the government has its work cut out to meet reform objectives in the run up to meeting: Lifting import restrictions on all goods is a key requirement for the fourth review as it’s essential for a flexible exchange rate that is aligned with market demand, our sources said. The review will also focus on reforms like further subsidy cuts, building monetary reserves, capping tax breaks, and boosting revenues.

Work is already underway to move from subsidies to direct payments: The government is engaged in consultations for a phased withdrawal of subsidies and a gradual transition to direct cash-based assistance, our sources said. The state is reportedly studying a plan to provide EGP 1.25k in cash assistance per family, while reducing the number of goods subsidized under the ration card system. The proposal is one of several studies scheduled for public discussion in the last quarter of the current year before preparations for the FY 2025-2026 budget kick off.

The government is also under to put the state privatization program up a gear: Negotiations are underway to complete the sale of stakes in local companies, one of our sources said, adding that no suitable offers have been made yet. The government is working to raise private sector participation in the economy and attract foreign direct investment by streamlining tax procedures and offering other incentives.

We will still have to wait a while until we see the funds roll in: This latest tranche, as with the others, depends on the IMF Executive Board greenlighting the review. Assuming everything goes to plan, the IMF Executive Board will discuss — and hopefully approve — the review in a December meeting, Al Arabiya reports, citing unnamed sources.

The IMF also released its latest country report on Egypt yesterday, in which it said that the country’s performance for the third review was “satisfactory.” All in all, Egypt met half of the structural benchmarks laid out by the IMF. While the country met the structural benchmarks of a flexible exchange rate, increased tax and budget transparency, and others, Egypt fell short on introducing a “binding requirement” for the timely publishing annual audit and fiscal reports and preparing a recapitalization plan for the central bank, abiding to quarterly fuel increases, and more. The Fund modified some of its benchmarks and gave the country more time to fulfill others.

We’re also one step closer to securing another USD 1.2 bn in climate financing: The government has officially applied for an additional USD 1.2 bn in long-term, low-cost climate financing from the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility, one of our sources said, adding that the request is likely to be discussed in conjunction with the fourth review.

Remember: The Fund completed its third review of our loan program in late July and the USD 820 mn tranche landed in state coffers just days later. The completion of the third review also allowed Egypt to apply for the additional funds.

Tags:

economy International Monetary Fund

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Education

Last year’s caps on tuition hikes at private, int’l schools to stay in force in the 2024-2025 academic year

Gov’t rolls over caps on tuition fee hikes into a second year: The limits up to which private and international schools were permitted to raise their tuition fees last year will remain in effect in the 2024-2025 academic year, the Education Ministry said yesterday.

Background: The Education Ministry in September 2023 introduced a tiered system of caps on tuition fee increases at private and international schools, with higher-priced schools facing tighter limits. The tiered system expanded upon an earlier 7% fee cap following years of lobbying by schools to revise the cap in light of rising inflation and the EGP devaluation. The initial cap was introduced in 2017 and imposed for the first time in the 2019-2020 academic year after parents lobbied to end what they called unjust increases.

The caveat: Caps on tuition fees are not extended to other fees charged by schools, such as bus fees and school activities.

The breakdown: The reinstated tiers will see the following caps on fee hikes come into effect for a second academic year:

#1- For international schools-

Up to 10% for schools charging EGP 30k-50k;
Up to 8% for schools charging EGP 50k-80k;
Up to 7% for schools charging EGP 80k-120k;
Up to 6% for schools charging EGP 120k-200k;
Up to 5% for schools charging over EGP 200k.

#2- For private Arabic and language schools-

Up to 25% for schools charging less than EGP 5k;
Up to 20% for schools charging EGP 5k-10k;
Up to 15% for schools charging EGP 10k-15k;
Up to12% for schools charging EGP 15k – 20k;
Up to 10% for schools charging EGP 20k – 25k;
Up to 7% for schools charging EGP 25k – 35k;
Up to 6% for schools charging over EGP 35k.

Exceptions: Schools that fall outside of the ministry’s purview — among them institutions owned by associations and other bodies, such as CAC, MBIS, and BISC — are not impacted by the caps.

Schools have kept their ears to the ground for updates: Faced with high operational costs and strained by the float of the EGP, private and international schools have been demanding flexibility on tuition fee hikes to cope with financial headwinds. We spoke with industry insiders last month to find out what they expected as they awaited the ministry’s decision.

Is the rehash enough? While some private school owners believe that reinstating last year’s tuition fee caps is sufficient, others have told us that an increase of no less than 40% is needed to mitigate current financial headwinds — even if that would have meant implementing a one-off hike limited to the upcoming academic year.

Tags:

Education Education Ministry

A MESSAGE FROM AUC SCHOOL OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

AUC School of Business Executive Education advances leadership training with Telecom Egypt – WE collaboration

The AUC School of Business Executive Education recently welcomed over 20 staff members from Telecom Egypt – WE at its state-of-the-art campus in New Cairo. This visit, part of an ongoing Leadership Development Program launched in 2021, featured an exclusive guided tour highlighting the university’s unique blend of rich architectural heritage and modern educational facilities. Highlights included academic buildings, the library, sports complexes, and lush gardens, providing a holistic view of the campus environment.

INSIGHTFUL EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

The day was filled with vibrant briefings from key university offices, each sharing vital strategic insights for organizational success. Kicking off with an in-depth exploration of effective HR strategies, participants delved into comprehensive techniques for screening, recruiting, and training. The focus was also on streamlining organizational structures and defining roles with precision.

Next, the spotlight shifted to mastering communication strategies, underscoring how internal and external communications boost brand awareness, strengthen community connections, and enhance organizational credibility. The morning sessions wrapped up with a crucial dialogue on maintaining a safe and inclusive environment, featuring a thorough look at anti-harassment and non-discrimination policies, showcasing the university’s unwavering commitment to equity.

STRATEGIC PLANNING AND SAFETY INITIATIVES

In the afternoon, sessions showcased innovative leadership in managing data and IT resources, essential for advancing strategic objectives and supporting sustainable growth. Participants also delved into comprehensive risk management strategies, focusing on adherence to safety laws and proactive measures to mitigate potential risks, such as fire hazards. The discussion on strategic planning also tackled environmental challenges like climate change, pollution, and waste management, highlighting the importance of sustainability in business practices.

ENHANCING STAFF HAPPINESS AND WELLBEING

The day wrapped up with sessions aimed at boosting staff happiness and well-being. The first is the AUC School of Business Happy School Initiative, which looks to develop a deeper sense of belonging and a positive work environment through optimism and persistence.

The final session introduced the GC Index, a tool to evaluate and leverage the dynamic energy of individuals and teams for optimal impact, customizing development routes that align individual capabilities with organizational objectives. These insights fuel a more supportive environment and appreciate varied contributions, enhancing overall workplace dynamics.

REINFORCING CORPORATE LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

This partnership between the AUC School of Business Executive Education and Telecom Egypt highlights how collaborations can transform the educational and professional landscape. It not only showcases the AUC School of Business Executive Education’s commitment to leadership development, but also demonstrates its ability in meeting corporate needs with practical and impactful solutions.

By integrating management expertise and strategic innovations across various sectors, these partnerships facilitate a continuous exchange of knowledge and resources. This not only aids partners like WE in their quest for excellence, but also enhances the learning environment for the broader community, developing a culture of lifelong learning.

To connect with our business solutions unit and for further information about the GC Index, please contact us at execed@aucegypt.edu

Tags:

A MESSAGE FROM AUC SCHOOL OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVE EDUCATION AUC

M&A WATCH

MENA Glass nearly doubles stake Middle East Glass to c 93.7%

MENA Glass ups stake in Middle East Glass: MENA Glass Holding now owns an additional 40.2% of EGX-listed bottle maker Middle East Glass (MEG) after stakeholders agreed to offload 25.1 mn shares in an EGP 2.8 bn transaction (USD 56.5 mn), according to an EGX bulletin.

This is just off MENA Glass’ target: The company’s mandatory tender offer that came to a close last week was to acquire an additional 40.8% — 25.5 mn shares — in MEG in a USD 57.8 mn transaction.

MENA Glass put forward a tempting offer: Under the MTO, MENA Glass will pay USD 2.26 per share, a 774% premium on MEG’s average share price of EGP 12.54 over the six months ending on 21 April. Gulf Capital has agreed to payment terms that will see MENA Glass pay USD 30 mn in cash once the offer expires, with the remaining USD 22.3 mn to be paid in installments.

So who owns what? MENA Glass now owns c. 93.7% of the company by our math. As for the rest of the company’s shares, IGC Holdings is understood to still hold the remaining 6.3% of the company after it rejected the offer. Gulf Capital, who had been the second largest shareholder after MENA Glass with a 36.9% share, is understood to be now out of the company entirely.

Advisors: EFG Hermes was tapped to broker the acquisition, while Bahaa Eldin Law Office and MENA Associates acted as the buy-side legal advisor. MEG tapped Tanami Financial Advisory as its independent financial advisor to conduct the fair value study, while Arqaam Capital was the sell-side advisor.

Tags:

M&A Watch Manufacturing Middle East Glass Manufacturing Company

LAST NIGHT’S TALK SHOWS

The war on commodity prices was once again the main topic of discussion

Commodities once again dominated the airwaves, with the nation’s talking heads honing in a meeting that saw government officials discuss ways to stabilize commodity prices and ensure that different goods are available on the market yesterday.

Gov’t wants to set up year-round marketplaces for affordable goods: During the meeting, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly instructed the government to set up year-round marketplaces for affordable goods, modeled after the Ahlan Ramadan and Ahlan Madares exhibitions. The Minister of Local Development affirmed that governorates would allocate land for these marketplaces, while the chambers of commerce would organize the exhibitions.

The selling point? Extending this model to all vegetable and fruit trading would benefit all consumers, who currently face the uncertainty of haphazard markets, Cabinet Spokesperson Mohamed El Homsani said in a phone call with Ala Mas’ouleety’s Ahmed Moussa (watch, runtime: 19:14).

Pulse check on the market: While prices have generally stabilized lately, there have been price increases for certain items, including eggs, lentils, and vegetables, El Homsani said. Poultry prices, on the other hand, have declined. “All basic commodities and other goods are available in abundance on the market,” he added. El Homsany also discussed commodities in a phone call with El Sa’a El Sadesa’s Azza Mostafa (watch, runtime: 21:11).

ALSO ON THE AIRWAVES- The passing of veteran diplomat Nabil El Araby: Former Secretary-General of the Arab League and former Foreign Minister Nabil El Araby passed away yesterday at the age of 89. Hadret El Mowaten’s Sayed Ali paid tribute to El Araby, saying that “Egyptian diplomacy has lost one of its greatest men” (watch, runtime: 0:55).

Tags:

commodities LAST NIGHT’S TALK SHOWS

ALSO ON OUR RADAR

Gov’t cracks down on electricity theft with higher tariff for those caught. PLUS: Egypt-Italy power link, veterinary vaccine factory

ENERGY-

#1- Stolen electricity now comes at a hefty price: Electricity being consumed by buildings illegally will come at the hefty cost of EGP 2.15 per kWH, Al Arabiya reports, citing sources it says have knowledge of the matter. The price tag is on the higher end of the electricity tariffs for households, which following the latest increase sat between EGP 0.68 and EGP 2.23 per kWH.

ICYMI: The government last month gave electricity distribution companies the greenlight to install coded meters in buildings illegally drawing electricity as part of a wider effort to reduce energy consumption 18% by 2035. Electricity distributors have been suffering major losses with some companies losing over 40% of power produced to theft.

The government also took to the airwaves to get the message across: The government is working to curb electricity theft and impose harsher penalties on those found guilty, Cabinet Spokesperson Mohamed El Homsani said in a phone call with Ala Mas’ouleety’s Ahmed Moussa (watch, runtime: 19:14). Citizens proven to be stealing will no longer receive state support, including food subsidies, fertilizer subsidies, and benefits extended under the Takaful and Karama programs.

#2- Egypt and Italy are set to complete preliminary studies for their planned 3 GW, USD 2.5 bn electric interconnection project by 4Q this year, sources from the Electricity Ministry told Al Mal. The study, which is funded by the Italian side and includes surveying the proposed route, identifying potential starting points in Egypt and Italy, and assessing the depth profile of the Mediterranean Sea, will be presented to the Egyptian side for review upon completion, according to the sources.

Remember: The two sides are assessing the potential to build a 3 GW, 2.8k km, HVDC cable that would connect Egypt’s West Sohag region to Italy’s Dolo substation in the northern Mestre Industrial Area. The corridor could meet 5% of Italy’s peak electricity demand and could expand to include an interconnection with the Gulf.

MANUFACTURING-

Veterinary vaccine factory in the works? The Agriculture Ministry wants to build a veterinary vaccine production plant targeting exports to African and Asian markets, according to a document seen by Al Mal . The ministry is looking for private players — be it local or foreign — to set up the project and is currently working with the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones to promote the project to investors at home and abroad.

Tags:

ALSO ON OUR RADAR electricity energy GAFI logistics vaccines

PLANET FINANCE

Election uncertainty make investment managers wary of pouring cash into infrastructure projects

Turbulent times in infrastructure spending: Fund managers have expressed concerns over pouring funds in infrastructure projects due to “uncertainty over the outlook for green energy subsidies and tariffs, ahead of a US presidential election,” according to the Financial Times.

The why: Republican candidate Donald Trump’s return to office could possibly mean bidding farewell to incentives for domestic industry and clean tech under the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. This has put funds in a position where they can’t accurately cost or price a project. “We have to be more cautious over the next 12 months on committing to projects. There’s a bit of a stalling of momentum until we have more certainty around costs,” saud Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners Co-founder David Scaysbrook.

What’s next? Some asset managers expect a pick up in investment activity following election results in November, with the demand and need being there, while others expect some pullback.

Despite all this, investors continue to have an appetite for infrastructure funds: North American infrastructure funds raised some USD 10 bn during the first half of the year, a 150% y-o-y increase, in addition to another USD 7 bn raised between July and August. Investor appetite is expected to continue and even rise as fund managers view the funds as a safe haven for investors looking to put their funds in high-yielding assets ahead of upcoming rate cuts.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets are in the red in early trading this morning, as traders react to US big tech stocks falling the day before as Western markets get ready for Nvidia earnings out Wednesday. Japan’s Nikkei is down 0.3%, Korea’s Kospi is down 0.5%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is down 0.9%.

EGX30	30,134	+0.2% (YTD: +21.1%)
USD (CBE)	Buy 48.68	Sell 48.81
USD (CIB)	Buy 48.68	Sell 48.78
Interest rates (CBE)	27.25% deposit	28.25% lending
Tadawul	12,261	0.0% (YTD: +2.5%)
ADX	9,356	-0.2% (YTD: -2.3%)
DFM	4,325	+0.8% (YTD: +6.5%)
S&P 500	5,617	-0.3% (YTD: +17.8%)
FTSE 100	8,328	+0.5% (YTD: +10.8%)
Euro Stoxx 50	4,897	-0.3% (YTD: +8.3%)
Brent crude	USD 81.43	+3.1%
Natural gas (Nymex)	USD 1.97	+0.9%
Gold	USD 2,553.50	+0.3%
BTC	USD 63,414.90	-1.2% (YTD: +50.2%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The EGX30 rose 0.2% at yesterday’s close on turnover of EGP 4.9 bn (32.4% above the 90-day average). International investors were the sole net buyers. The index is up 21.1% YTD.

In the green: Fawry (+7.3%), EFG Holding (+6.4%), and Orascom Construction (+4.4%).

In the red: Ezz Steel (-5.3%), Mopco (-2.4%), and Elsewedy Electric (-2.4%).

CORPORATE ACTIONS-

#1- Integrated Diagnostics Holdings (IDH) has bought back some 18.7 mn shares at EGP 20 a piece as part of its delisting buyback program, according to an EGX bulletin. IDH decided to delist its shares from the EGX due to “limited trading activity.”

#2- Rameda has transferred 12.9 mn shares — worth EGP 3.2 mn — to its employees as part of its employee incentive and reward program, according to an EGX bulletin.

Tags:

Financial Markets infrastructure 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

The roadmap to adding 28 GW of renewable energy to Egypt’s energy mix

The road to our very ambitious renewables target: During his latest post-cabinet meeting presser, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly unveiled the state’s latest renewables target — adding 28 GW of renewable energy to the country’s energy mix over the next five to seven years.

The short-term goal: The government wants to see 3-4 GW-worth of renewable energy projects go live and start feeding the national grid by next summer to fill the energy supply gap.

This push is part of a broader plan to secure the country’s energy needs amid declining natural gas production and expanding electricity interconnection projects for export to neighboring countries.

IN THE PIPELINE-

We already have a number of renewable projects in the pipeline that will help us inch closer towards our goal of adding 28 GW of green energy to our energy mix. The New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) has allocated land plots spanning 42.6k km for investors looking to set up renewable energy projects, according to a cabinet statement yesterday.

#1- A 10 GW wind farm courtesy of ACWA: Saudi renewable energy developer ACWA Power is working to build a 10-GW wind farm in Egypt after signing an MoU with the NREA and the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company.

#2- And another 10 GW goliath in the works: Infinity Power, Hassan Allam Utilities, and the UAE’s Masdar will set up a USD 11 bn, 10 GW wind farm in Sohag that is set to be one of the largest wind farms globally and the largest in Africa.

These two wind farms would be the world’s joint second largest in the world: The two planned 10 GW wind farms are set to be some of the biggest in the world, second only to the China’s Gansu project with a planned capacity of 20 GW. For comparison, India’s largest wind farm ⁠— Jaisalmer ⁠— has a capacity of 1.6 GW, while the 1.55 GW Alta Wind Energy Center in California is the biggest in the US. Currently, Egypt’s largest wind farm is the 545-MW facility in Zafarana.

#3- A 5 GW wind project: Scatec plans to invest USD 5.7 bn into developing a 5 GW wind farm.

#4- And a 3 GW wind farm: Local construction giant Orascom Construction and its consortium with a subsidiary of France’s Engie, Kahrabel, and Japan’s Eurus Energy is setting up a 3 GW wind project.

And there’s more to come: There are a number of new projects in the works, including a 500 MW solar power plant by the UAE’s Al Nowais in Kom Ombo and a 500 MW wind farm in Ras Gharib. Al Nowait expects to complete the two projects within 2-3 years at a cost of USD 1 bn.

All together that makes our ambitious goal reachable: A government source told Enterprise that achieving the planned renewables target is within reach, thanks to the scale of agreements and mega-projects signed.

Big targets. Big investments: The government is looking to attract USD 34 bn of renewable investments through 2026-2027, our source said. The government wants to push its green investments to 75% of its total investment spending by 2030 and have its green economy contribute no less than 5% to its GDP.

It’s not just Egypt where energy investments are on the up: Global energy investment is expected to exceed USD 3 tn for the first time this year, with USD 2 tn dedicated to clean energy technologies and infrastructure, according to the International Energy Agency.

To make the plan reality: Players in the renewable energy sector are asking for a number of incentives to help set up and expand their renewable projects and the government has started listening to them.

A whole lot of incentives to help sweeten the pot: The source also pointed to the many incentives introduced by the government with the aim of encouraging future investments in the field. That includes scraping integration fees for solar plants that produce less than 10 MW of energy per year in 2023 — the fee for larger production projects has been set at EGP 0.30 per KW. This comes on top of custom breaks of 5% for solar panels and financial facilities from banks and financial institutions, supported by the Electricity Ministry.

And more to come: The source emphasized that the government is working to introduce more incentives to promote further renewable investments that includes facilitating and simplifying procedures.

P2P projects and soft loans in the pipeline: The Madbouly government plans to expand peer-to-peer (P2P) renewable projects and offer soft loans to SMEs to help them transition to clean energy, our source added.

Special incentives for green investments: Investment Minister Hassan El Khatib announced that the ministry will work to facilitate the transition to clean energy in the coming period, offering special incentives for companies looking to set up or expand green activities. The Investment Ministry will also launch initiatives to cover the roofs of plants in freezone with solar cells as a way to reel in export-oriented investments.

We even got word of a new initiative announced only yesterday: To persuade investors to sign up for projects, land is being distributed in exchange for only 2% of the power produced by these projects, according to a cabinet statement out yesterday. On top of this, the government is reducing customs on components and spare parts used for renewable projects by 3.0 percentage points to only 2.0% and reducing VAT to 5%, down from 14%.

Your top green economy stories for the week:

The EGPC looks to solar energy to help run its oil production wells: The Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) is doubling down on using solar energy instead of diesel for the operation of oil production wells
NoorNation receives funding from Saudi VC firm: Local renewable energy firm NoorNation has received an undisclosed investment from Saudi firm KBW ventures.
Progress on the USD 120 mn WtE plant in Abu Rawash: The initial designs for the USD 120 mn waste-to-energy plan in Abu Rawash being carried out by a consortium led by Renergy Egypt have been completed. (Statement)

Tags:

energy going green renewables

CALENDAR

2024

AUGUST

August 2024: Shalateen to announce gold exploration tender winner.

SEPTEMBER

2-3 September (Monday-Tuesday): The Seamless North Africa conference, Cairo.

3-5 September (Tuesday-Thursday): Egypt International Airshow, El Alamein International Airport.

4-5 September (Wednesday-Thursday): The US-Egypt Joint Economic Committee meeting, Washington.

5 September (Thursday): Central Bank of Egypt’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

9-12 September (Monday-Thursday): The annual EFG Hermes London Conference.

15 September (Sunday): National holiday in observance of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (TBC).

16 September (Monday): Egypt-UK Investment and Opportunities Forum, London.

24 September (Tuesday): Enterprise Finance Forum, Cairo, Egypt

25-26 September (Wednesday-Thursday): The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) 2024 annual meeting, Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

25-28 September (Wednesday-Saturday): Cityscape Egypt, Egypt International Exhibition Center, Cairo.

30 September (Monday): Ban on sugar exports expiration.

OCTOBER

1-3 October (Tuesday-Thursday): Cairo Sustainable Energy Week, Cairo, Egypt.

6 October (Sunday): Armed Forces Day.

10-12 October (Thursday-Saturday): Egy Health Expo, Egypt International Exhibition Center, Cairo.

10-12 October (Thursday-Saturday): The FinExpo Conference and Exhibition, Cairo.

17 October (Thursday): Central Bank of Egypt’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

13-17 October (Sunday-Thursday): Cairo Water Week, Water and Climate: Building Resilient Communities, Cairo, Egypt.

20-22 October (Sunday-Tuesday): Mediterranean Offshore Conference (MOC), Alexandria, Egypt.

21-27 October (Monday-Sunday): The World Bank and IMF annual meetings.

NOVEMBER

4-8 November (Monday-Friday): World Urban Forum, Cairo, Egypt.

12-15 November (Tuesday-Friday): Arab African Investment and International Cooperation Summit, Aswan, Egypt.

21 November (Thursday): Central Bank of Egypt’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

26-28 November (Tuesday-Thursday): Egypt Energy Show, Cairo, Egypt.

DECEMBER

26 December (Thursday): Central Bank of Egypt’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2H 2024: Gov’t to launch the Cairo Ring Road BRT buses.

3Q 2024: Egyptian-Armenian Joint Committee.

September 2024: Turkish-Egyptian Business Council meeting in Turkey.

November 2024: Egypt to host the World Urban Forum (WUF12).

End of 2024: The launch of the high-speed train line linking Ain Sokhna with Al Alamein City.

2025

July 2025: The first operational trail of Egypt-KSA electricity interconnection line.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2Q 2025: Safaga Terminal 2 to start operations.

2027

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

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

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

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