Egypt Marks 66th Anniversary of Aswan High Dam Construction

CAIRO – 9 January 2026: Egypt marked the 66th anniversary Friday of the laying of the foundation stone for the Aswan High Dam, a project described by Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilem as the "greatest water infrastructure project in modern Egyptian history."

The project, initiated by late President Gamal Abdel Nasser on Jan. 9, 1960, stands as an enduring symbol of Egyptian willpower. Sweilem stated that the dam has served as a "fortress of security," protecting the nation from decades of drought and floods while providing essential resources for agriculture, industry, and electricity generation.

The minister emphasized his commitment to the technical readiness of the High Dam and Aswan Reservoir system under the ministry’s "Generation 2.0" plan. This initiative utilizes modern digital solutions and national expertise to ensure operational efficiency and sustainability in the face of fluctuating hydrological conditions.

Sweilem affirmed that development and modernization efforts continue with the support of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. He also noted that the upcoming week will mark the anniversary of late President Anwar Sadat’s inauguration of the project on Jan. 15, 1971—a date celebrated as the national holiday of Aswan Governorate.

The Aswan High Dam project was designed in 1954 and construction officially began in 1960, following the nationalization of the Suez Canal to secure financial resources.