Egypt has unveiled a long-term economic strategy aimed at mobilising about 4,110 billion Egyptian pounds, equivalent to roughly €74 billionEgypt unveils 20-year plan to attract €74bn (US$84 billion) in investment through expanded industrial zones, in private investment over the next 20 years through a major expansion of its investment zones programme.
The plan was presented on Tuesday by Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and forms part of a broader push to reposition the private sector as a key driver of growth in the Arab world’s most populous country.
Under the strategy, the government plans to expand and modernise a network of specialised investment zones designed to attract domestic and foreign capital into manufacturing, export-oriented industries and logistics.
Authorities said the roadmap will focus on strengthening public–private partnerships, streamlining administrative procedures and improving the overall business environment in a bid to boost foreign currency inflows and industrial output.
Egypt currently operates 12 investment zones across six governorates, hosting 1,277 active projects with combined capital of around 66.3 billion Egyptian pounds and supporting approximately 77,500 jobs.
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The government said seven additional zones are already under development in three governorates and are expected to host 214 new projects once operational.
Officials estimate that the full programme could generate up to 1.2 million jobs over the next two decades, making it one of the country’s largest long-term employment and industrialisation initiatives.
The strategy represents a shift away from traditional free zones, which have historically relied heavily on tax and customs incentives, toward a more integrated industrial model.
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Instead, the new investment zones will offer pre-built industrial infrastructure, ready-to-operate units and a centralised “one-stop-shop” system aimed at reducing bureaucratic delays and improving efficiency for investors.
The government also highlighted plans to launch a digital platform that will allow investors to complete and monitor regulatory procedures remotely, as part of wider efforts to modernise public administration and improve transparency.
Egypt’s leadership is seeking to attract more private capital at a time of sustained economic pressure, including high inflation and external financing needs, which have prompted reforms aimed at stabilising the macroeconomic environment.
Officials say the investment zone expansion is intended to support export growth, industrial diversification and greater participation of the private sector in economic development.
Alongside domestic reforms, Egypt is also expanding international economic cooperation. Minister Farid pointed to recent progress in bilateral engagement with Belarus, including discussions on trade in mechanical equipment, automotive products and agrifood sectors.
A recent Egypt–Belarus business forum brought together 24 Egyptian companies to explore joint opportunities in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and industrial processing, reflecting Cairo’s broader push to deepen trade ties and attract foreign investment partners.
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The government says the investment zone strategy will be implemented in phases over the coming years, with progress monitored through periodic assessments of project delivery, job creation and export performance.
If successful, officials say the programme could significantly reshape Egypt’s industrial landscape, positioning the country as a major manufacturing and export hub in the region over the next two decades.
