Egypt’s Minister of Housing Advocates for Comprehensive Urban Development Vision

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Engineer Randa El-Manshawi, Egypt’s Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, participated in a session titled “From Reform to Returns: Investment Opportunities in Sustainable Real Estate and Urban Growth” at the “Future of Egypt: Investment Opportunities and Sustainable Economic Reform” conference. This event is organized by the British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA) from June 3 to June 5, 2026, in London. The conference aims to enhance economic partnerships and promote promising investment opportunities within the Egyptian economy.

The session covered several topics, including legal guarantees for foreign investors, investment incentives in real estate and sustainable infrastructure sectors, public-private partnership frameworks (PPP), land allocation models, streamlining licensing procedures, local demand strength, increasing interest from international investors, and a shift towards planned urban communities with integrated services. It also discussed local financing tools, the role of Egyptian banks in supporting foreign investors, international partnerships, and sustainable infrastructure as a key driver for long-term investment value.

During her speech, El-Manshawi emphasized that Egypt is adopting a comprehensive vision for urban development that focuses on creating sustainable and viable urban communities for investment rather than merely developing isolated housing projects. She noted that housing projects are being implemented alongside essential infrastructure and service developments to ensure that new cities are ready to accommodate residents and investments from the early stages of development.

She added that significant investments have been made in infrastructure projects and utility networks over the past years as a foundation to enhance investment attractiveness and achieve sustainable urban growth.

El-Manshawi highlighted that the Egyptian market is supported by strong fundamentals including continuous population and urban growth, sustained demand for housing and urban services, as well as increasing interest from both local and international investors in opportunities offered by new cities.

The minister stated that the government is committed to providing a stable and attractive investment environment through clear legal and regulatory frameworks that protect foreign investments. This includes offering a diverse range of investment opportunities and incentives in real estate development, sustainable infrastructure, and mixed-use projects.

She mentioned that the state is working on expanding private sector participation through public-private partnership models by providing planned serviced land supported by an advanced financing system along with continuous growth in the mortgage financing market.

El-Manshawi remarked: “We believe that the success of urban development should not be measured solely by the number of units constructed but rather by cities’ ability to attract residents, investments, and economic activities sustainably. Thus, Egypt is not just presenting real estate projects today; it is presenting integrated cities with long-term investment opportunities supported by modern infrastructure, growing genuine demand, a clear vision for sustainable development, an evolving regulatory framework, and long-term partnerships aimed at achieving sustainable value for all parties involved.”.

The minister confirmed that the Ministry of Housing views signed memorandums of understanding with partners as a starting point toward genuine investment partnerships rather than mere cooperation frameworks. She explained that addressing investment opportunities follows a clear institutional path beginning with conducting technical and economic studies before determining the appropriate investment or partnership model. This process continues through tendering procedures until execution begins.

She added that recent years have seen Egypt implement a series of reforms aimed at boosting investor confidence while improving project cycle efficiency. These reforms include developing land allocation mechanisms, simplifying licensing procedures, expanding digital transformation efforts, and enhancing public-private partnership models to expedite execution timelines while providing greater clarity and predictability for investors.

El-Manshawi assured that the Egyptian government seeks to maintain balance among various stakeholders while developing more flexible and efficient contractual models. This approach enhances project finance viability making them more attractive to financial institutions and international investors. She noted this effort is supported by an advanced financing system involving Egyptian banks alongside regional and international financing institutions through joint financing mechanisms.

Despite varying timelines for projects based on their nature, she emphasized the ministry’s commitment to continuously shortening procedural durations while accelerating decision-making processes through streamlined procedures and unified standards along with improved coordination among relevant authorities.

The minister concluded her remarks by stating that investors are not only seeking opportunities but also clarity regarding predictability and speed of execution. She indicated this is the approach her ministry aims to reinforce by developing a more efficient and flexible investment environment supported by one of the largest and most diverse project portfolios in the region.

In closing her speech, she sent a message to international investors including British companies saying: “Today Egypt offers not just promising investment opportunities but also a more mature stable environment characterized by clarity backed by modern infrastructure along with a clear government vision aimed at enhancing the private sector’s role while building long-term partnerships that create sustainable value for all parties involved alongside a diverse financing system.”.