Egypt Launches 2nd Arab-African Exhibition and Conference to Boost Water and Energy Investments in Cairo

Deputy Housing Minister for Utilities Ahmed Omran Ahmed, acting on behalf of Housing and Utilities Minister Randa al-Menshawy, officially opened the second Arab-African Exhibition and Conference for Investment in Water and Energy in Cairo on Monday, September 14, 2026. Running through September 16 under the theme “Sustainable Water – Renewable Energy – Promising Investment,” the event gathers government bodies, private enterprises, and research institutions focused on drinking water and wastewater services to advance the Housing Ministry's localization and partnership goals.

During the opening, Ahmed Omran Ahmed emphasized that Egypt views drinking water as a critical matter of national security, noting recent enhancements to the sector's legislative and institutional frameworks designed to ensure service quality, sustainability, and social equity. He outlined the national water and sanitation strategy and pointed to the creation of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Unit aimed at facilitating project preparation and drawing investment toward desalination, water reuse, and related industrial sectors.

Highlighting key infrastructure achievements, Omran reported that nationwide drinking water coverage hit 99% in 2026, supported by an actual production capacity of 31.7 million cubic meters per day. Meanwhile, combined urban and rural wastewater coverage reached 70%, with seawater desalination capacity attaining nearly 2.1 million cubic meters daily, alongside 621 operational wastewater treatment plants producing a combined capacity of 19 million cubic meters per day.

Reaffirming official backing for local manufacturing—specifically regarding electromechanical equipment for water and wastewater facilities—Omran invited Egyptian, Arab, and international investors to pursue collaborative ventures in desalination, wastewater treatment, and water reuse. He also engaged with various diplomats and business delegates to deliberate on mutual cooperation, knowledge sharing, and leveraging Egypt’s expertise in water infrastructure development.