Who Is Randa Al-Menshawy, Egypt’s new Minister of Housing?

CAIRO - 10 February 2026: Engineer Randa Al-Menshawy is one of the most prominent executive figures within Egypt’s Ministry of Housing, having built a long career across senior administrative and technical positions. Her appointment as Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities comes as part of the state’s continued reliance on experienced technocrats to advance urban development plans and oversee major national projects.

Al-Menshawy has accumulated decades of experience in public service, culminating in her role as First Assistant to the Prime Minister for National Projects and Deputy Minister of Housing, positions she has held since 2019.

Professional Background

Al-Menshawy began her career at the Housing Research and Studies Authority, where she worked as a senior specialist at the rank of general director before being promoted to Deputy Head of the Authority. Her competence and organizational skills later led to her appointment as private secretary to former Minister of Housing Ahmed El-Maghraby.

She is considered one of the closest aides to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. During his tenure as Minister of Housing, she headed his office sector. After Madbouly was appointed Prime Minister, she was chosen to serve simultaneously as Deputy Minister of Housing and Director of the Prime Minister’s Office, prior to the appointment of former minister Assem El-Gazzar.

Leadership Roles and Responsibilities

Within the Ministry of Housing, Al-Menshawy supervised the utilities sector and played a key role in establishing the Project Management Unit (PMU), which brought together young professionals and specialized technical expertise. She also contributed to the development of an integrated project management system that enhanced monitoring and execution efficiency across national projects.

In addition, she represented the Ministry of Housing on the board of directors of the New Administrative Capital Company, further solidifying her involvement in Egypt’s flagship urban development initiatives.

Her appointment as minister aligns with the government’s strategy to depend on officials with accumulated institutional knowledge to sustain momentum in large-scale housing and infrastructure programs.

Education and Qualifications

Al-Menshawy earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering in 1985 from Helwan University. Since graduating, she has maintained a continuous presence in public administration, steadily advancing through leadership and executive roles.

Career Progression

Prior to 2019, Al-Menshawy held several key posts within the Ministry of Housing, including Supervisor of the Minister’s Office, First Undersecretary of the Ministry from 2011 to 2017, and Head of the Central Administration for the Minister’s Office Affairs between October 2009 and June 2011.

She also served as Deputy Minister of Housing for Utilities and Follow-Up in 2018, before being appointed First Assistant to the Prime Minister for Follow-Up Affairs in December 2019.

Her earlier roles included Head of the Housing Research and Studies Authority, Head of the Central Administration for the Minister’s Office, Deputy Head of the Authority, and Senior Specialist at the rank of General Director, in addition to serving as Director of the Minister’s Office.

Role in National Projects and Investment

Al-Menshawy led multiple work teams responsible for monitoring national projects and played a significant role in the presidential “Haya Karima” initiative aimed at developing rural areas across Egypt. Her responsibilities included overseeing infrastructure and service projects across governorates to improve living standards and service delivery.

She also chaired the Cabinet’s Investor Problem-Solving Unit, working to streamline investment procedures and address challenges facing investors in Egypt. Through this role, she participated in high-level government meetings focused on investment policy, development strategies, and regulatory reform.

Executive Profile

Al-Menshawy is widely regarded as a key executive figure in the Egyptian government, particularly in files related to national project follow-up, rural development, investment facilitation, and the improvement of public services. Her elevation to the Ministry of Housing reflects confidence in her technical expertise, administrative discipline, and ability to manage complex development portfolios at a national level.