RIYADH: Egypt’s vast New Delta project will transform a swathe of desert west of the mouth of the Nile River into arable land and include infrastructure investments worth 800 billion Egyptian pounds ($15 billion), President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said.
El-Sisi made the remarks during the inauguration of the 2.3 million-acre megaproject located in Dabaa, Reuters reported.
The project, one of Egypt’s largest agricultural initiatives, aims to reclaim desert land for productive farming in response to the challenges posed by rapid population growth and limited arable land.
It also incorporates advanced irrigation systems, wastewater treatment plants, and broader development objectives tied to Egypt’s Vision 2030 strategy.
Quoting El-Sisi, the state-run Middle East News Agency reported that the “New Delta agricultural development project was achieved through the efforts of Egyptians and the coordinated work of state institutions.”
“We are talking about a huge stretch of land where water routes, electricity networks and roads have been implemented. Egyptians can take pride in their country and in themselves,” the president added.
The report said Egyptian authorities have already completed the cultivation of hundreds of thousands of acres, producing a variety of agricultural crops.
The launch of the New Delta development project aligns with Egypt’s broader push for megaprojects, ranging from the New Administrative Capital to development initiatives in Sinai, reflecting a long-term strategy focused on desert reclamation and economic expansion.
As part of its sustainability efforts, the Egyptian government in April launched a mixed-use city project called “The Spine,” with investments exceeding 1.4 trillion Egyptian pounds.
The city project, developed by Talaat Moustafa Group in partnership with the National Bank of Egypt, is located within the company’s Madinaty development east of Cairo and has been designated a Special Investment Zone.
Last month, S&P Global Ratings affirmed Egypt’s sovereign credit ratings at “B/B” with a stable outlook, citing strong momentum in macroeconomic reforms over the past two years and improved external buffers.
