Egypt Seeks to Boost Investment from China in Renewable Energy, Water Desalination, and Electric Vehicles

Strategic Insights -

Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly held a series of meetings with Chinese company executives on Sunday to discuss opportunities for investment in Egypt, particularly in renewable energy, water desalination, and electric vehicle manufacturing. The meetings took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Plus summit in Tianjin, which Madbouly is attending on behalf of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. Madbouly aims to localize the manufacturing of desalination plant components and increase water production to 30 million cubic meters per day, up from the current target of 10 million cubic meters per day.

Key Takeaways:

  • Egypt is seeking to localize the manufacturing of desalination plant components and aims to produce 10 million cubic meters of desalinated water per day in the next five to six years.
  • The prime minister reiterated the goal of producing 30 million cubic meters of desalinated water per day in a meeting with Ni Chen, chairperson of China Energy Engineering Corporation.
  • China Energy Engineering Corporation plans to invest $1 billion in Egypt over the next five years and has moved its regional headquarters to Cairo.
  • Egypt's goal is to increase production to 30 million cubic meters per day, with a future goal of producing 42% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.
  • Madbouly discussed Egypt's interest in energy storage, noting an annual demand of 5-6 gigawatts, in addition to demand for energy exports to Europe.
  • The development of the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone is a priority for the Egyptian government, with an additional area to be allocated to the company within the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE).
  • The Chinese holding company TEDA has attracted 200 companies, injected $3 billion in investments, and paid $300 million in taxes, employing over 10,000 workers.

Statistics:

  • Egypt aims to produce 10 million cubic meters of desalinated water per day in the next five to six years.
  • The prime minister aims to raise production to 30 million cubic meters per day.
  • China Energy Engineering Corporation plans to invest $1 billion in Egypt over the next five years.
  • Egypt's annual demand for energy is 5-6 gigawatts.
  • Egypt's goal is to increase its production of renewable energy to 42% by 2030.
  • TEDA has attracted 200 companies, invested $3 billion, and paid $300 million in taxes.

Sources:

  • "Egypt’s prime minister meets with Chinese business leaders to boost investments," (Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
  • "Egypt seeks to boost investment from China in renewable energy, water desalination, and electric vehicles," Daily News Egypt (2025).