Egypt’s PM instructs governors to take all measures protecting citizens from monopolistic practices amid regional military escalation

CAIRO- 9 March 2026: Amid ongoing military escalation in the region between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, as well as continued attacks on Gulf states that have partially disrupted oil production, Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly held a meeting with governors to discuss measures aimed at protecting citizens from monopolistic practices and confronting deliberate hoarding of goods.

Madbouly directed governors nationwide to intensify field monitoring of markets and commercial outlets in coordination with relevant ministries, authorities, and regulatory bodies. He also called for activating all available mechanisms to protect citizens from monopolistic practices and to confront any deliberate hoarding of goods with firmness and decisiveness.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the government’s proactive measures have played a key role in securing adequate reserves of various strategic and essential commodities sufficient for several months, while also meeting the needs of factories.

Madbouly also reviewed the government’s efforts, in cooperation with the banking sector, to meet the requirements of the energy and industrial sectors.

He further noted that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, during the Iftar banquet organized by the Egyptian Military Academy, directed that the possibility of referring individuals involved in price manipulation to military courts be studied. The president stressed the importance of preventing the exploitation of current circumstances to unjustifiably raise prices or manipulate markets, Madbouly added.

In support of the state’s efforts to regulate markets, protect consumer rights, and enhance community participation, the government will receive citizens’ complaints and reports through the Cabinet’s Unified Government Complaints System.

Citizens are urged to report any instances of market manipulation, unjustified price increases, hoarding of goods, monopolistic practices, or any issues affecting food safety and public health.

During the meeting, Madbouly also emphasized the need to continue implementing measures to rationalize electricity consumption—excluding factories, homes, and production facilities—while stressing the importance of reducing electricity use on streets and main roads.

He further directed governors to personally and continuously monitor and prevent building violations and encroachments on agricultural land, and to immediately remove any such violations, particularly during the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

Oil prices surged by more than 25% on Monday, reaching their highest level since mid-2022, as some major producers cut supplies and markets were gripped by fears of prolonged shipping disruptions amid the widening U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.