Egypt implements housing, public utilities projects in Sinai with total investments of EGP 52.143 billion

CAIRO – 25 April 2026: The Ministry of Housing and Public Utilities released a report and a video showing the development efforts in Sinai peninsula, in occasion of the Sinai Liberation. 

The report presented by Major General Osama El-Ganzoury, Head of the Central Agency for Reconstruction, and Major General Amin Shawky, Head of the National Authority for Drinking Water and Sanitation. 

The Ministry emphasized that the Egyptian state places the development of Sinai at the forefront of its priorities through the implementation of integrated projects aimed at improving quality of life, creating job opportunities, enhancing social stability, and attracting investment. 

It noted that infrastructure projects, particularly in drinking water, sanitation, and road networks, form the cornerstone of these efforts, given their vital role in supporting urban expansion and creating a suitable environment for both investment and habitation, in line with the state’s vision for sustainable development.

The Ministry is implementing a comprehensive plan to improve the efficiency of water and sanitation systems in Sinai. This plan includes diversifying water sources, especially through seawater desalination plants, alongside the development and upgrading of water and sanitation networks to ensure service sustainability and high-quality standards.

The Ministry is committed to providing diverse housing models that meet the needs of local communities, particularly Bedouin housing and integrated development communities. These projects go beyond housing units to include essential infrastructure such as roads, water, electricity, sanitation, and service facilities, ensuring the establishment of sustainable and integrated urban communities.

According to the report, the Central Agency for Reconstruction has implemented projects with total investments of EGP 52.143 billion. These include road, electricity, housing, and service projects, with EGP 19 billion allocated to North Sinai and EGP 29.5 billion to South Sinai, in addition to EGP 3.6 billion for development clusters.

The report further noted that, since 1982, the Sinai Reconstruction Authority has played a central role in implementing infrastructure projects, including water, sanitation, roads, electricity, housing, and services, key components for attracting residents, supporting tourism, industry, and agriculture, and encouraging investment.

Major General Osama El-Ganzoury highlighted several major projects in the drinking water sector, including:

The Qantara East water treatment plant, with a capacity of 104,000 m³/day, supplying North Sinai with Nile water up to Rafah via a 160 km pipeline.The Resettlement Villages water treatment plant, with a similar capacity.The West Tunnel water treatment plant, with a capacity of 70,000 m³/day, supplying South Sinai through a 168 km pipeline.

He also pointed to the establishment of seawater desalination plants in key tourist cities such as Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba, as well as the construction of underground water reservoirs in Ras Sedr, Abu Zenima, Abu Rudeis, Sharm El Sheikh, and Tor Sinai, with a total capacity of 130,000 cubic meters.

In the sanitation sector, major projects include:

Integrated sanitation systems in Al-Arish and surrounding areas.Projects in Rafah, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Tor Sinai, and Nuweiba, with varying treatment capacities.Expanded sanitation networks serving villages and towns.

Regarding housing, approximately 10,957 Bedouin homes have been completed or are under construction since 1982. Among these:

2,619 homes have been completed, including 1,257 in North Sinai and 1,362 in South Sinai.1,145 homes were built under the first phase of development clusters.200 homes were constructed in fishing villages in Bir al-Abd.946 homes are currently under construction as part of future expansion plans.

Additionally, a major project is underway to establish four urban development clusters in Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid, comprising 6,047 Bedouin homes with full utilities.

Housing initiatives also include other categories, such as:

5,796 low-cost housing units completed by 2014.Social housing projects in both North and South Sinai.Residential and service buildings in Al-Masa’id and Al-Ruwaysat in Sharm El Sheikh.As for the road projects Total road projects implemented since 1982: 3,806 km at a cost of EGP 5 billionCompleted by 2014: 3,178 km (EGP 1.687 billion)Since 2014: 627.5 km completed or under construction (EGP 3.3 billion)Scope of work includes:Upgrading, paving, lighting, and securing existing roadsConstructing new roads linking villages to main routesMost vital projects:Wadi Bridge Road (Arish): 2.5 km, EGP 95 millionUmm Mafroth Road: 15 km, EGP 176.5 millionRamla 2 Road: 17.3 km, EGP 173 millionAdditional works: Flood protection projects

Overall Development Investments (Since 1982)Total investments: Over EGP 59.4 billionSectors covered:Water and sanitationRoads and electricityHousing and service facilitiesImplemented through annual plans in coordination with:GovernorsRelevant ministriesTarget population: About 650,000 residents (original inhabitants + newcomers)

Regarding major national projects, Major General Osama El-Ganzoury explained that the “Great Transfiguration” project in Saint Catherine is being implemented at a cost of EGP 25 billion, in line with directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The project aims to develop the area while preserving its unique character, with designs tailored to its natural environment, positioning the city on the global tourism map. It includes a visitor center, a peace plaza, eco-lodges, a mountain hotel, an administrative complex, and a new residential area in Al-Zaytouna consisting of 21 buildings with 546 housing units. The project also features a mosque, a church, service areas, tourist and investment zones, the development of Wadi El-Deir and the Heritage Town Center, as well as flood protection works.

The project further includes comprehensive infrastructure development, such as a new Saint Catherine electricity substation, a 100-km overhead power line, expansion of the Nuweiba substation, upgraded water lines, irrigation networks, and treatment plants. It also involves developing and widening 9 km of roads leading to the city in each direction, along with additional flood protection measures.

Major General Amin Shawky, Chairman of the National Authority for Drinking Water and Sanitation, stated that since 2014, 20 drinking water projects have been implemented in South Sinai Governorate, with a total capacity of 195,000 cubic meters per day and investments of EGP 9 billion. These projects aim to serve all cities and villages in the governorate. They include seawater desalination plants in tourist cities with a combined capacity of 160,000 cubic meters per day and investments totaling EGP 7.5 billion. These plants serve Ras Sedr, Abu Zenima, Tor Sinai, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba, ensuring a sustainable water supply.

He added that the West Tunnel water treatment plant has been expanded from 35,000 to 70,000 cubic meters per day under the second phase of the Tunnel/Abu Rudeis pipeline expansion project. This includes pumping stations and underground reservoirs, with investments reaching 350 million pounds, and will help deliver treated Nile water to Saint Catherine to support the Great Transfiguration Project.

He also noted the implementation of strategic water reservoir and distribution network projects at a total cost of EGP 550 million in Ras Sedr, Abu Zenima, Abu Rudeis, Sharm El Sheikh, and Tor Sinai, with a total capacity of 130,000 cubic meters.

In the sanitation sector in South Sinai, two wastewater treatment plants with a combined capacity of 17,500 cubic meters per day have been completed, in addition to six pumping stations and sewage network projects, with total investments of EGP 770 million. These serve Ras Sedr, Tor Sinai, Sharm El Sheikh, and Dahab.

In North Sinai, nine drinking water projects have been implemented with a total capacity of 125,000 cubic meters per day, at a cost of EGP 3.1 billion, to meet the needs of cities and villages. These include seawater desalination plants with the same total capacity, costing 1.9 billion pounds, serving Arish and Sheikh Zuweid.

He further highlighted the development and rehabilitation of the Arish water network, covering 650 km at a cost of EGP 866 million. Additional projects include upgrading the Rafah desalination plant and supplying water to the new city of Rafah at a cost of 119 million pounds, constructing the South Masa’id pumping station with a capacity of 20,000 cubic meters at a cost of EGP 75 million, and installing water transmission lines from the Arish desalination plant (capacity: 100,000 cubic meters per day) at a cost of EGP 75 million.