Egypt aims to expand its cultivated area to 12.5 million feddans, increase annual domestic car production to more than 100,000 vehicles and raise local content in automotive manufacturing to 60%, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said in a speech at Egypt Forum 2026.
Madbouly outlined the government’s development achievements over the past 12 years and its future economic and infrastructure targets, including plans to expand desalination capacity to 10 million cubic metres per day over the longer term and increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix to more than 45% by the end of 2028.
Egypt is also developing a 2,250-kilometre high-speed electric rail network as part of broader efforts to improve connectivity, support investment and expand transport infrastructure.
The prime minister’s remarks came as the government prepares to implement its National Economic Transformation Programme for 2027–2030, which targets economic growth of 6.8%, inflation of 7% and an unemployment rate of 5.5% by the end of fiscal year 2029/30.
The programme comprises 185 key measures across five priority sectors: agriculture, manufacturing, information and communications technology (ICT), tourism and energy.
Agriculture and food security
Madbouly highlighted the expansion of agricultural land and production as central to Egypt’s food-security strategy.
The cultivated area has increased from approximately 9.1 million feddans to 10.5 million feddans, with a target of reaching 12.5 million feddans. Agricultural exports have also risen from 4.3 million tonnes to 9.5 million tonnes, according to figures presented at the forum.
The government aims to increase wheat self-sufficiency from 43% to more than 60%, while grain-storage capacity is expected to exceed 6 million tonnes within two years, compared with more than 4 million tonnes currently.
Land reclamation projects include a 2.2 million-feddan development programme involving investments of around EGP100bn. The government is also expanding the use of treated wastewater to support agricultural development, including plans to irrigate 500,000 feddans in Sinai.
These projects form part of broader efforts to strengthen domestic food production, reduce exposure to external supply shocks and increase the agricultural sector’s contribution to exports.
Manufacturing and automotive
Madbouly also highlighted efforts to deepen local manufacturing and attract investment into productive industries.
Egypt has established 16 industrial complexes, with two more under construction. The complexes include approximately 4,800 small factories and have created around 50,000 jobs, according to the presentation.
The Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) has attracted more than $10bn in investment and generated over 200,000 jobs, while international manufacturers including Haier, Midea and Beko have expanded their presence in Egypt.
In the automotive industry, the government is targeting local content of 60% and annual production of more than 100,000 vehicles over the next two to three years. These targets reflect efforts to develop domestic supply chains, reduce reliance on imported components and position Egypt as a regional manufacturing hub.
The ICT sector is also expected to expand, with digital exports targeted to rise from $5.2bn to nearly $12bn by 2030.
Transport and infrastructure expansion
Madbouly pointed to substantial investment in roads, railways, ports and airports over the past 12 years.
Egypt has built approximately 7,500 kilometres of new roads and upgraded another 10,000 kilometres, bringing the total road network to around 31,000 kilometres.
The planned 2,250-kilometre high-speed electric rail network is expected to strengthen links between major cities, industrial areas, ports and tourism destinations. Other projects include tunnels beneath the Suez Canal, bridges over the Nile and the extension of railway infrastructure in Sinai towards Taba.
The number of seaports has increased from 14 to 19, while the number of airports has risen from 19 to 23. Airport passenger capacity has also expanded from approximately 53 million to a projected 170 million passengers annually.
The government considers these investments essential to improving logistics, supporting exports and facilitating the movement of people and goods.
Water and energy security
Water infrastructure remains another priority amid rising demand and growing pressure on conventional water resources.
Madbouly said desalination capacity had increased from approximately 84,000 cubic metres per day to 1.5 million cubic metres. The government aims to raise capacity to 2 million cubic metres per day in the near term and 10 million cubic metres per day over the longer term.
Rural sanitation coverage has also expanded, rising from 12% in 2014 to around 60%, with the government seeking comprehensive coverage through subsequent phases of the Decent Life initiative. Egypt has established 237 wastewater treatment plants with a combined capacity of approximately 19 million cubic metres per day.
In the energy sector, electricity generation capacity has reached around 64,000 megawatts following the addition of approximately 35,000 megawatts. Renewable energy is expected to account for more than 45% of the electricity mix by the end of 2028.
The government is also targeting the completion and operation of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant between 2028 and 2030. Meanwhile, the natural gas network has expanded, with household connections increasing from 6.2 million to 16.2 million and approximately 1,700 kilometres of gas transmission pipelines added.
Housing, healthcare and education
Madbouly said the government had expanded urban development and housing provision as part of efforts to improve living standards and accommodate population growth.
The share of Egypt’s territory classified as urbanised has increased from 7% to 14%, while the number of new cities has risen from 22 to 41.
The government has also developed 357 unsafe areas that were home to approximately 1.5 million people, providing more than 260,000 alternative housing units. Around 2 million housing units have been delivered or developed under the Sakan Kol El Masryeen programme, according to the presentation.
In healthcare, the government has financed approximately 3.4 million medical procedures at a cost of EGP38bn. The first phase of the Universal Health Insurance System has covered around 5.5 million citizens.
Education infrastructure has also expanded. The number of universities has risen from 50 in 2014 to 131, while the number of university hospitals has increased from 88 to 154. The government has added approximately 152,000 classrooms, reducing average classroom density from more than 70 students to around 41.
The Decent Life initiative targets improvements in services and infrastructure for approximately 61 million people across more than 4,580 villages. Its first phase has been completed for around 18 million people, Madbouly concluded.