Economic megaprojects in Egypt have been the main characteristic. A series of infrastructure with support from the International Monetary Fund, appear to be having a positive effect on the country’s overall economy.
The following are top ongoing megaprojects in Egypt
Capital Med, Middle East’s largest private medical city
Its landscape design proposes a balance between sustainable, low water use, native landscape, and a green, shaded retreat. Construction of the entire project will be completed in 7 to 10 years’ time in 3 phases upon which there shall be a 350-bed state-of-art general hospital, clinics plaza, a hotel, and 11 specialized medical excellence centers. Furthermore, 10,000 to 13,000 job opportunities shall be created.
Also Read: Top ongoing mega projects in Ghana
Berenice military base- Largest military base in the Middle East
The military base which is named ‘Berenice military base’ sits on 150,000 acres of land. It is located on the Red Sea coast along Egypt’s southern borders, approximately 90 km north of the Halayib Triangle, an Egyptian-controlled area disputed by Sudan.
It features a naval base, an airbase, an army hospital, some combat and administrative units, and fields of shooting and training for all weapons.
Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project US $29bn
The Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project will be the first nuclear power plant planned for Egypt and will be located at El Dabaa, Matrouh Governorate, which is about 130km northwest of Cairo. The energy project will be constructed by Rosatom in Egypt.
The power plant is planned to be similar to Russia’s Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, which has an installed capacity of 4,200 MW and supplies 50% of the energy consumed in Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. The plant will have four VVER-1200 reactors, making Egypt the only country in the region to have a Generation III+ reactor.
The project is being implemented in cooperation with Russia’s state-owned nuclear company, Rosatom. Rosatom will provide the necessary technology, expertise, and fuel for the nuclear power plant. The reactors will be based on Rosatom’s Generation 3+ VVER-1200 design, which is known for its advanced safety features.
Construction work on the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant officially began in December 2017, following the necessary regulatory approvals and obtaining the construction license. The project is planned to be completed in several stages, with the first reactor expected to start operations by the mid-2020s.
Upon completion, the Dabaa power plant will have a capacity of 4800MW. The overall cost of the project is US $29bn out of which Russia will finance 85% as a state loan and Egypt will provide the remaining 15% in the form of installments. The Russian loan has a repayment period of 13 years, with an annual interest rate of 3%.
The Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant project is expected to have significant economic benefits for Egypt.
US $1.2bn concentrated solar power (CSP) plants
CSP is a type of renewable energy that uses the sun’s energy to process heat with temperatures of 400ºC to 1000ºC. CSP plants are large-scale renewable energy infrastructures that use CSPs to process heat that can be transformed into electricity or stored.
The billion-dollar project includes the construction of five CSP power plants. Every single station is projected to cost approximately US $250m all of which will come from international and local lending bodies according to the SES’s chairperson. Up to 70% of the financing will come from international bodies while 10-15% will be offered by local banks.
4th terminal at Cairo International Airport
The upgrade includes raising the efficiency of Terminal 1 to increase capacity from 6 to 10 million passengers. Upgrading the efficiency of Terminal 3 and its corridors should be done by 2020 and by 2030, the medium-term plan will be concluded.
US $20bn Entertainment District
The project will be developed in three phases over a period of 10 years. It will include the construction of 4-star and 6-star resorts and themed hotels, luxury homes, villas, and high-rises; a wellness center; high-end and regional shopping and dining; a VIP golf course and other recreational and green space activities, and theme parks.
The Entertainment District will also feature; a cultural arts center, convention center, aviary, butterfly, topiary and botanical gardens/conservatories, planetarium, museum and recreational activities for children, sports and concert stadium, Formula One racetrack, and an entertainment college.
Bella Vento El Galala Resort project
Bella Vento El Galala is a mountain & sea view resort featuring villas, twin villas, and chalets, that is being developed on about 65 feddans of land in the heart of El Galala Resort.
The project, which is set to have fascinating amenities such as 10 swimming pools, supermarkets, spa, clubhouse, sports courts, 80% green spaces, cafes & restaurants is being developed in phases. The first phase has been designed to overlook the sea directly and it features duplex villas as well as chalets.Â
The second phase of the resort has been built on a mountain. This phase has been distinguished for the panoramic view that it offers of not just the sea but also the international marina. It also features villas that include private pools alongside a commercial area, a hotel, and a clubhouse.
New Administrative Capital (US$100 million)
Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, often referred to as the New Capital City or simply the New Capital, is a major urban development project located approximately 45 kilometers (28 miles) east of Cairo, the capital city of Egypt. The project aims to relieve congestion in Cairo and create a new administrative and business hub for the country.
The New Administrative Capital is strategically situated between Cairo and the Red Sea coast. It covers an area of approximately 170,000 acres (700 square kilometers) within the governorates of Cairo and Qalyubia.
The New Administrative Capital is envisioned as a sustainable, smart city designed to accommodate Egypt’s growing population and alleviate the burden on Cairo. It aims to centralize government institutions, administrative offices, and business activities, providing improved services and fostering economic growth.
The Metro line (US$6 billion)
Egypt’s Metro is a rapid transit system that serves the Greater Cairo area, including Cairo, Giza, and other surrounding cities. The Metro system in Egypt is one of the most important means of transportation, carrying millions of passengers daily.
The Cairo Metro is the oldest and most extensive metro system in Africa and the Arab world. It plays a crucial role in easing traffic congestion and providing affordable transportation options for the residents of Greater Cairo.
The Cairo Metro consists of three operational lines, with additional extensions and new lines under construction or in planning stages. The current operational lines are:
- Line 1 (El Marg – Helwan): This line, opened in 1987, runs from northeast to southwest, passing through central Cairo. It has a total length of approximately 44 kilometers (27 miles) and serves 35 stations.
- Line 2 (Shubra El-Kheima – New Cairo): Opened in 1996, this line runs from north to east and connects the northern and eastern parts of Cairo. It has a total length of approximately 21 kilometers (13 miles) and serves 20 stations.
- Line 3 (Airport – Imbaba): Opened in 2012, this line runs from Cairo International Airport in the east to Imbaba in the west. It has a total length of approximately 47 kilometers (29 miles) and serves 34 stations.
