Egypt’s Ministry of Finance is set to present nine transformative projects to the Higher Committee for Partnerships with the Private Sector. With a projected investment of EGP 39 billion, these projects are poised to redefine Egypt’s approach to public-private partnerships (PPPs), as confirmed by Ater Hanoura, head of the Ministry’s Private Sector Partnership Unit.
Among the slated projects are essential power plants and vital sewage and industrial wastewater treatment facilities. These initiatives reflect a strategic effort to alleviate fiscal pressure on Egypt’s general budget while achieving significant developmental milestones. Notably, the forthcoming tender for four electrical transformer stations, carrying an investment value of EGP 8 billion, underscores the country’s commitment to expanding its electrical infrastructure.
Ater Hanoura elaborated on the importance of PPPs, stating, “There are successful models of PPP projects across various sectors. Our goal is to broaden these partnerships, making Egypt a reference point for the PPP system in Africa and the Arab world.” This reputation has already attracted interest from countries like Sudan, Libya, Burundi, and South Africa, eager to leverage Egyptian expertise in their infrastructural endeavors, with support from the European Union and the United Nations.
In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Egypt’s investment in PPPs reached approximately EGP 19.8 billion. These funds have been channeled into diverse areas, including solid waste conversion, electricity networks, and, notably, strategic education projects. The Ministry of Finance envisions a future where PPPs play a pivotal role in enhancing educational services, particularly for the middle class, by establishing 1,000 Distinguished Language Schools by 2030.
Hanoura emphasized that successful educational partnerships rely on “clarity of purpose, precision of contracts, and efficient contract management.” This strategic approach not only aims to improve educational standards but also targets reducing population density in schools.
The Ministry is also collaborating with the Ministry of Education to launch innovative technical education projects, focusing on agricultural schools. With access to substantial land assets, these schools present untapped opportunities for sustainable development. Hanoura highlighted that investing in these assets could significantly finance technical education, providing enduring returns for the economy.
This initiative aligns with Egypt’s broader educational development goals, addressing the substantial funding needs through strategic private partnerships.
