Egypt reveals plans for new capital beside Cairo

Egypt's government has announced plans to build a new capital adjacent to Cairo, in a massive new project that in its first phase would cost £30 billion (about €42 billion) and take up to seven years to complete.

Housing minister Mostafa Madbouly announced the plans at the opening of the three-day international economic conference held in Sharm el-Sheikh and attended by hundreds of business executives and world leaders.

Mr Madbouly said that the aim of the project is to alleviate congestion and overpopulation in Cairo over the next 40 years. By that time, Cairo - currently home to nearly 20 million - is projected to have doubled in size.

First phase

The first phase of the ambitious programme is an expansion of the current outskirts of the capital to the east, adding an additional 60 miles of development. The area would be a new administrative centre including government offices and diplomatic missions as well as housing, universities, a technology and innovation park, and 6,000 miles of roads.

The military has already begun constructing the road linking Cairo to the planned administrative heart of the new city.

Eventually the new capital would expand to 270 square miles, much of it green spaces, linking up with the Suez Canal zone.

Mr Madbouly said the project was a source of “pride and inspiration” to young Egyptians.

The ambitious plan is the latest mega-project planned by the government, headed by president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who was elected in June last year. The other mega-project is the expansion of the Suez Canal and the creation of an industrial zone around it.

PA