Egypt, Qatar sign MoU to expand cooperation in energy
Egypt and Qatar have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Doha to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, particularly in the sale and import of liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as other areas of energy collaboration. According to official statements, the agreement represents a key step towards diversifying Egypt’s natural gas supply sources and expanding frameworks for cooperation in securing LNG shipments. The memorandum further consolidates the strategic partnership between Egypt and Qatar in the energy sector. QatarEnergy’s activities in Egypt are currently focused on the Mediterranean Sea, where the company operates in six offshore exploration blocks. In a related development, EGAS and QatarEnergy signed the terms of an executive mechanism governing the supply of a number of Qatari LNG cargoes to Egypt.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 18:33 UTC
Transport Minister inspects progress on Cairo Metro Line 4 phase one
Kamel Al-Wazir, Minister of Transport and Minister of Industry and Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development, conducted an inspection tour of phase one of Cairo Metro Line 4, as part of the government’s ongoing monitoring of national transport projects in line with directives from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. The minister visited multiple stations along the western section of phase one, extending from the Grand Egyptian Museum to El-Fustat, including Grand Egyptian Museum, El-Ramaya, El-Ahramat, El-Marioutiya, El-Arish, El-Matbaa, El-Talabiya, Madkour, El-Mesaha, Giza, Giza Square, El-Roda, El Malek El-Saleh, and El-Fustat. According to the project timeline, the first TBM has reached the Grand Egyptian Museum station, the second El-Ramaya, the third El-Talabiya, and the fourth El-Matbaa. He added that Metro Line 4 is one of the most significant mass transit projects currently under development, connecting 6th of October City and New Cairo to the Greater Cairo Metro network. Once completed, Cairo Metro Line 4 is expected to serve approximately 1.5 million passengers per day.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 18:31 UTC
Al-Sisi highlights Egypt’s sporting readiness during 2026 World Cup trophy tour
President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi expressed his aspiration for Egypt to host the FIFA World Cup in the future during a meeting with football’s global governing body in Cairo on Sunday. The visit by the FIFA delegation marks the second stop of the promotional tour for the 2026 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The visiting group included former Italian international Fabio Cannavaro, winner of the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year award, alongside Javier Ignacio Cepsi Berdevsky, a director at FIFA’s Zurich headquarters, and World Cup tour director Sebastian Ferrio. Sisi said he looked forward to the success of the upcoming World Cup, noting it would be the largest edition to date. The 2026 World Cup is set to open on 11 June at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with a match between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 18:15 UTC
AEMP plans operational expansion, new branch openings in 2026
AE Media Production (AEMP) reported a strong increase in business activity during 2025, with the company doubling its volume compared to the previous year, according to statements by its management. He added that the company executed several local and international projects during the year, including cooperation with Swiss firms targeting European markets. Essam said AEMP plans to continue its expansion in 2026, with a strategic focus on integrating advanced technologies—particularly artificial intelligence—into its media and advertising production services, especially those supporting real estate marketing. According to the CEO, AEMP currently operates across multiple governorates, including Ras Sedr, Ain Sokhna, the North Coast, El Gouna, Sohag, and Assiut. Looking ahead, he said the company is targeting further growth in 2026 as part of its broader expansion strategy.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 18:15 UTC
Prime Living Developments targets EGP 500m investments in 2026 expansion plan
Prime Living Developments has announced an expansion strategy for 2026, targeting investments exceeding EGP 500m through the development of a portfolio of residential projects across several key locations, including New Heliopolis, New Cairo, Sheikh Zayed, Hadayek October, and Obour City. Mohamed Atef, Chief Executive Officer of Prime Living Developments, said the 2026 plan marks a new phase of growth for the company. He noted that Prime Living intends to enter cities with high development potential while maintaining its established standards for quality and on-time delivery. Atef added that planned investments could reach EGP 500m, directed toward residential projects serving a range of customer segments. Prime Living Developments reaffirmed that its approach remains centred on adherence to delivery schedules, execution standards, and client commitments as it advances its growth plans for 2026.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 18:15 UTC
Mohamed El-Gawsaky named head of Egypt’s investment authority for one-year term
Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has appointed Mohamed El-Gawsaky as the executive director of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) for a one-year term, according to a government statement. The appointment is part of state efforts to enhance the investment climate and stimulate economic growth. El-Gawsaky currently serves as the Assistant Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade for planning, trade, and digital transformation. In this capacity, he leads the ministry’s efforts to expand Egypt’s foreign trade capabilities and strengthen international partnerships. As part of his mandate, El-Gawsaky is responsible for formulating mechanisms to develop and improve the efficiency of the investment and foreign trade systems.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 18:15 UTC
MRB launches District 9 project in 6th of October City with Carrefour as anchor tenant
MRB Holding, a facility management and retail operations consultancy, has announced the launch of the first phase of the District 9 commercial project in 6th of October City, developed by NEXT Developments, coinciding with the opening of Carrefour as the project’s main anchor tenant. Under the agreement, MRB is responsible for the leasing, management, and operation of District 9, marking a continuation of its involvement in the management of commercial and retail developments in partnership with NEXT Developments. According to MRB, preparatory work for the project included extensive market studies analysing consumer behaviour, competing developments, and target customer segments. Meanwhile, Ahmed Nail, Chairperson of NEXT Developments, said the project was designed with operational considerations embedded from the early planning stages. He noted that MRB was selected for its experience in managing shopping centres, and that Carrefour’s opening reinforces the project’s operational strategy for the 6th of October City area.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 17:55 UTC
Lazura Developments launches New Cairo project with EGP 8bn in investments
Lazura Developments has announced the launch of its latest real estate project, Lazura New Cairo, in New Cairo, marking the first project to be officially introduced to Egypt’s real estate market at the start of 2026, with total investments exceeding EGP 8bn. Abdel Hakim noted that Lazura New Cairo embodies the company’s commitment to delivering fully integrated real estate solutions that cater to both homeowners and investors, while aligning with the state’s vision for sustainable urban development. The project will comprise a diverse range of residential units, supported by integrated services and modern urban planning concepts. The development is expected to generate new job opportunities, stimulate economic activity, and enhance real estate value in the surrounding area. Fouad added that the project is based on comprehensive market studies and will offer flexible payment plans alongside fully integrated services to meet evolving market needs.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 17:55 UTC
Sky AD. Developments begins phase one deliveries at Residence 8 project
Sky Abu Dhabi Developments has announced the commencement of unit deliveries for Phase One of its Residence 8 project in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, marking the company’s first residential handover in the local market and in line with the approved delivery schedule. As part of its handover preparations, Sky AD. Commenting on the milestone, Abdelrahman Agami, CEO and Managing Director of Sky AD. Developments, said the start of deliveries represents a significant step in the company’s expansion in the Egyptian market. Residence 8 is located in the R8 district of the New Administrative Capital, with access to major road networks and nearby services.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 17:50 UTC
Escrow accounts gain momentum as Egypt moves to enforce real estate discipline
Against this backdrop, escrow accounts are increasingly viewed as the cornerstone of a new regulatory phase for the sector—one focused on accountability rather than voluntary compliance. In parallel, Farida Developments announced the actual implementation of an escrow system in cooperation with a major state-owned bank, positioning the initiative as a pilot for broader plans to transform real estate units into tradable instruments within a proposed real estate exchange. The Real Estate Development Chamber at the Federation of Egyptian Industries has warned that escrow accounts could increase administrative burdens and unit prices due to banking fees. Drawing comparisons with international models such as Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), Khalil emphasised the need to adapt best practices to Egypt’s market size, financing structure, and development cycles. From Advocacy to EnforcementBetween 2025 and 2026, a clear national consensus has emerged: escrow accounts are no longer optional but are becoming the primary tool to address delivery delays and restore trust in Egypt’s real estate market.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 17:50 UTC
Abdelatty urges calm in Yemen in high-level calls with Turkey, Pakistan, Gulf states
In separate phone calls with the foreign ministers of Turkey, Pakistan, Oman, and Kuwait, Abdelatty emphasised the urgent necessity of regional de-escalation. During discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Abdelatty stressed that achieving calm in Yemen is essential for broader regional security. In his call with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi, Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s support for a political solution that preserves the Yemeni state’s institutions. Similar sentiments were echoed in talks with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, where both sides agreed on the importance of consensus-building to end the humanitarian suffering of the Yemeni people. In his call with Turkey’s Fidan, Abdelatty expressed total rejection of Israeli recognition of Somaliland, describing it as a “blatant violation” of international law and Somali sovereignty.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 17:45 UTC
Madbouly highlights “love and closeness” between Egyptians during Christmas visit
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday that national occasions represent a great opportunity to demonstrate love and closeness between the people of one nation, during a visit to St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Abbasiya to congratulate Pope Tawadros II on Christmas. Madbouly stated that the current year is better than previous years, noting a “tangible improvement” in most sectors. In response, Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, praised the government’s focus on the health and education sectors, which he described as the “essential pillar” of the human development process. During the meeting, the Pope recalled a previous visit to the government headquarters in New Alamein City with a group of Egyptian youth living abroad. The visit concluded with the Prime Minister reiterating his commitment to visiting the Cathedral for the occasion, expressing his personal affection and appreciation for the Pope.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 17:44 UTC
Egypt targets 30 million annual tourists following record 19 million arrivals
Egypt is targeting 30 million tourists annually following a record 19 million arrivals last year, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Sunday during a meeting to review measures for facilitating entry procedures and improving the visitor experience. “We currently have an increase in numbers; last year we reached an unprecedented figure of 19 million tourists, and we have the opportunity to reach target figures,” Madbouly said. He noted that the growth in arrivals has been supported by the opening and operation of the Grand Egyptian Museum. The government is focusing on streamlining procedures at airports and increasing the number of hotel rooms to sustain this growth, Madbouly added. The initiative aims to reduce airport congestion and improve the efficiency of border points to enhance Egypt’s global competitiveness, El-Homsani added.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 17:44 UTC
US–China friction intensifies following Maduro’s abduction
The abduction and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ignited a sharp political confrontation between Washington and Beijing. This escalation comes as Washington moves forward with Maduro’s trial in New York, while President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies its regional rhetoric regarding an ‘alternative administration’ for Venezuela. In this unprecedented military operation, American forces carried out a lightning air raid on Caracas on Saturday, January 3. Venezuela issues statementIn response, the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela issued its first official comment following the abduction of President Maduro. The complaints demand international condemnation of the US and that it be held accountable for the military operation and the arrest of a sovereign head of state.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 14:35 UTC
Trump’s Armada: A state-sponsored intimidation
He described the formidable fleet stationed in the Caribbean as a “massive armada”, marking the most significant display of hard power in Latin American waters in decades. An analysis of Trump’s colonialist rhetoric reveals a streak of state-sponsored intimidation. The state-sponsored intimidation of the Trump administration is poised to continue. He worked as Editor-in-Chief of CBC Extra channel, which he founded, as former Managing-Editor of Al Watan newspaper, and former Executive Editor-in-Chief of its website. He also co-founded the Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper, the Al Watan newspaper, and the Al Ashera Masaan program on Dream TV channel, and was the Head of Program Editing at Alhurra channel.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 04, 2026 14:20 UTC