- Egypt’s construction industry, projected to grow at over 8% CAGR until 2029, is the largest in Africa and the third largest in MENA.
- Egypt holds 12% of MENA’s unawarded project pipeline, valued at $515 billion, underscoring its pivotal role in the regional construction sector.
- Residential projects in Egypt total $36 billion, with mixed-use projects valued at $115 billion, reflecting robust demand for urban development.
- Despite challenges like inflation and material price fluctuations, strategic reforms and stabilized prices are bolstering confidence in Egypt’s construction sector’s future prospects.
Egypt’s construction industry, the largest in Africa and the third largest in the MENA region is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 8% until 2029. This forecast comes from JLL’s recent construction market intelligence report.
Key Drivers of Growth
Several factors are driving this growth. Increased government spending, public-private partnerships, green building initiatives, and infrastructure development are key contributors. Additionally, investments in residential and mixed-use projects are playing a significant role in this expansion.
Egypt’s Position in the MENA Region
Despite economic challenges, Egypt holds a significant portion of the MENA region’s unawarded project pipeline. With 12%, or $515 billion, of the total pipeline expected to reach $3.90 trillion, Egypt ranks third in the region, following Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This highlights Egypt’s crucial role in the regional construction landscape.
Residential and Mixed-Use Projects
In Egypt, the value of residential projects is approximately $36 billion. Mixed-use projects, which combine residential, commercial, and other uses, have a total value of $115 billion. These investments reflect the demand for diverse and versatile urban spaces in the country.
Cairo’s Residential Market
Cairo’s residential market continues to grow, with over 7,000 new units added in the first quarter of 2024. Areas like 6th October and New Cairo have seen significant price increases, indicating strong demand and investor confidence.
Boost from the Tourism Sector
Egypt’s tourism sector also had a strong start in 2024, aided by a new EGP 50 billion initiative to expand hotel capacity. This initiative supports Egypt’s Vision 2030 goals, which focus on the importance of tourism for economic growth.
Insights from JLL
Laura Morgan, Market Intelligence Lead for the MEA region at JLL, highlighted the positive impact of increased foreign direct investment (FDI) on Egypt’s construction sector.
Strategic government reforms are reducing market speculation and boosting investor confidence. Morgan emphasized that drawing on its tourism sector and Vision 2030 goals, Egypt is expanding its construction sector through continued investments and partnerships to strengthen its market position.
Challenges and Price Fluctuations
The JLL report also pointed out challenges such as currency fluctuations, supplier speculation, and inflation, which have led to significant price increases for construction materials.
Rebar prices, for example, have risen by 41% year-on-year (YoY), while prices for copper cables and aluminium sections have increased by 112% YoY and 32% YoY, respectively.
Stabilizing Material Prices
However, the report noted that construction material prices have stabilized following the liberalization of the exchange rate in March 2024. This stabilization has helped mitigate some of the cost pressures on the construction sector.
Overall, Egypt’s construction industry is poised for significant growth, driven by robust government spending, strategic investments, and strong demand in the residential and mixed-use sectors.
Despite facing economic challenges and material price fluctuations, the sector’s outlook remains positive, supported by ongoing reforms and initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development.
As Egypt continues to advance its Vision 2030 goals, the construction industry is set to play a pivotal role in the country’s economic growth and regional prominence.
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