Country Profile Egypt

General Information

General information about Egypt

Area	1,010,408 km² (24 times bigger than the Netherlands)
Capital	Cairo
Population	110 million (2023, World Bank)
Population Growth	1.9% (2022, UN Data)
Religions	± 90% Sunni Muslims, ± 10% Christians, ± 1% Shia Muslims
Language	Arabic (official); English and French are widely spoken in business and government
National Day	July 23 (Revolution Day - marks the 1952 Revolution)
Governorates	27 governorates (top-tier administrative divisions in Egypt, similar to provinces in other countries. Each governorate is governed by an appointed governor and is responsible for local governance, including public services and infrastructure, while broader national policies are managed by the central government.)

Political Data

Political data about Egypt

Head of State	President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi (since June 2014). After leading the 2013 military coup that overthrew Egypt's first democratically elected president, el-Sisi retired from his military career in 2014 and subsequently won that year's presidential election.
Prime Minister	Mostafa Madbouly (since June 2018)
Form of Government	Semi-presidential republic
Parliament	Bicameral; consists of the House of Representatives (596 seats) and the Senate (300 seats)
Elections	President and House of Representatives elected every 4-6 years through general elections. Senate members are partially elected and appointed.

Economic Overview: Stability and Growth in a Regional Context

Egypt, with a GDP of $348 billion in 2024, stands as one of the largest economies in Africa and the Middle East. Over the past decade, the country has demonstrated significant economic resilience, maintaining steady growth despite regional instability, global economic challenges, and the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The projected growth rate of 3% for 2024 (IMF) reflects Egypt's ability to recover and stabilize.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) remains robust, with inflows of $9.8 billion in 2023 (UNCTAD). Most investment is targeted at key sectors such as energy (with a growing focus on renewables), infrastructure, and manufacturing. Notably, Egypt has made significant strides in renewable energy, with large-scale solar and wind projects positioning the country as a regional leader in green energy initiatives.

Inflation remains a significant challenge, with consumer prices rising at an average rate of 32.5% in 2024 (IMF). Egypt’s government has taken steps to manage inflation, including subsidies and monetary policy adjustments, while the relatively low labor and production costs continue to make it an attractive destination for foreign investors.

Economic data about Egypt

GDP	$348 billion (2024, IMF)
GDP Growth	3% (2024, IMF)
Inflation Rate, average consumer prices	32,5% (2024, IMF)
Key Sectors	Agriculture, natural gas, tourism, manufacturing, and services
Unemployment Rate	7.1% (2024, IMF)
Currency	Egyptian Pound (EGP)

Employment is showing signs of improvement, with unemployment projected to drop to 7.1% in 2024 (IMF), down from higher rates in previous years. This decrease can be attributed to job creation in key sectors like construction, agriculture, and tourism, although youth unemployment remains a challenge. Egypt's large, young population presents both an opportunity and a long-term challenge as the demand for jobs continues to grow.

The Dutch Agriculture businesses is well-positioned to capitalize on Egypt’s agricultural potential. Long standing business relationships in the field of agriculture offer a network with much experience of ‘doing agri-business in Egypt’. The country’s imports needs range from seed, seed potato, horticultural (greenhouse) knowledge and technology, (bio-)fertilisers and – pesticides to IOT-applications and technology for precision agriculture. The expanding production in Egypt of citrus, small fruit and (fruit)vegetables offer opportunities for traders given the Dutch trade-hub-role for the Northern European market.

Trade and investment

Main Trading Partners	Exports: Arab countries, EU, Other, USA, rest of Africa (GOEIC) Imports: Other, EU, China, Arab Countries, USA, rest of Africa (GOEIC)
Major Exports	Crude oil, natural gas, textiles, cotton, and agricultural products
Major Imports	Machinery, electronics, cereals, vehicles, and pharmaceuticals
FDI Inflow	$9.8 billion (2023, UNCTAD)

Key Development Priorities

Vision 2030:     

Egypt's national development strategy focuses on sustainable development, economic diversification, energy independence, and social inclusion.

Renewable Energy:     

Egypt has been investing heavily in solar and wind energy, with major projects like the Benban Solar Park, one of the largest in the world.

Water Resources:     

Given its dependency on the Nile, Egypt is heavily focused on water management and irrigation innovations to combat climate change and population growth pressures.

Infrastructure Development:

The government has prioritized infrastructure investments, including the construction of the New Administrative Capital and expansion of the Suez Canal.

Agriculture and Agribusiness

Agricultural Land:    

Egypt has approximately 3.6 million hectares of agricultural land, primarily located in the Nile Delta and along the Nile Valley. Due to its arid climate, Egypt is heavily dependent on irrigation for farming, with the Nile River being the country's primary water source.

Contribution to GDP:    

The agricultural sector contributes around 11-12% to Egypt's GDP and employs about 25-30% of the labor force. Agriculture is a key driver of rural livelihoods and food security. 

Main Agricultural Products:

Egypt's agricultural output is diverse, focusing on key products such as:

• Cereals: Wheat, maize, and rice
• Vegetables: Potatoes, onions, and tomatoes
• Fruits: Citrus (especially oranges and lemons), mangoes, grapes, dates, strawberries
• Cash Crops: Cotton
• Sugar Crops: Sugarcane and sugar beet

Agricultural Trade:  

• Main Exports: Egypt's major agricultural exports are potatoes, cotton, and fresh fruit, primarily citrus. Most of Egypt's exports are destined for the EU, Russia, North Africa and the Middle East.
• Main Import Needs: Egypt imports large quantities of grains such as wheat and maize, making it one of the world's largest wheat importers, especially from countries like Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S.

Challenges and Opportunities:

Egypt faces challenges such as land fragmentation, water scarcity, and the impact of climate change. However, opportunities for growth include investments in modern (data- & ICT-driven) irrigation techniques, protected cultivation, renewable energy projects for agriculture (like solar irrigation), and enhancing value chains for key agricultural products.

Sources

• World Bank. Egypt Data Overview.
• International Monetary Fund. World Economic Outlook.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Egypt Vision 2030 Report.
• Central Bank of Egypt. Inflation and Financial Statistics.
• World Trade Organization (WTO). Trade Profiles: Egypt.
• UNCTAD. World Investment Report: Egypt.
• MDPI Open Access Journals. 
• FAO
• International Trade Centre (ITC) 
• U.S. Agency of for International Development
• The General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) Egypt