Skip to main content

Public-private push: Egypt taps IFC to modernize key airports

1 min Bruno Finel

Egypt is launching an ambitious plan to modernize 11 airports across the country, partnering with the private sector to boost services and economic returns without burdening the state budget.

Hurghada International Airport © Mena Today 

Hurghada International Airport © Mena Today 

Egypt is launching an ambitious plan to modernize 11 airports across the country, partnering with the private sector to boost services and economic returns without burdening the state budget.

The initiative will start with Hurghada International Airport, the country’s second-busiest, which will serve as a pilot project. The goal is to improve airport infrastructure, passenger experience, and operational efficiency.

To support this effort, Egypt is working with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) — the private sector arm of the World Bank. IFC helps governments attract private investment by providing technical and financial advice. In this case, IFC will guide Egypt’s Ministry of Civil Aviation in structuring public-private partnerships (PPPs) for airport development.

Airports set for upgrades include Sharm El-Sheikh, Luxor, Aswan, Borg El Arab, and others. 

IFC will assist in preparing tenders to bring in private operators while the state retains ownership.

The plan aligns with Egypt’s broader strategy to empower the private sector and increase returns from state-owned assets. In 2024, Egyptian airports handled over 50 million passengers.

Authorities hope this new model will help expand capacity while improving services for both domestic and international travelers.

Tags

Bruno Finel

Bruno Finel

Bruno Finel is the editor-in-chief of Mena Today. He has extensive experience in the Middle East and North Africa, with several decades of reporting on current affairs in the region.

Related

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mena banner 4

To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.