Senior executives from Egypt’s leading real estate developers say the sector is entering a new phase of structural correction, stronger fundamentals, and growing global relevance, driven by economic stabilization, rising foreign investment, tourism expansion, and evolving urban development models. Ayman Amer, General Manager of SODIC, said Egypt is following a trajectory similar to India’s, positioning itself to become a major global hub within the next 10 to 15 years. The speakers emphasized tourism and digital innovation’s role in bolstering the sector.
At AmCham Egypt’s Annual Real Estate Conference titled “Egypt Rising: Real Estate as a Regional Powerhouse,” senior executives highlighted the Egyptian real estate sector’s shift toward a structural correction phase. Ayman Amer, General Manager of SODIC, said: “Egypt is following a trajectory similar to India’s transformation over the past two decades, positioning itself to become a major global hub within the next 10 to 15 years.”
Amer compared Egypt’s current stage to India’s position 20 years ago, noting that India’s rise was fueled by population scale, human capital, and increasing institutional professionalism—factors Egypt is now sharing. He added that Egypt is rapidly emerging as a regional hub for IT and digital innovation, supported by a deep talent pool in engineering, healthcare, and education.
On tourism, Amer pointed out that Egypt generates around $15 billion annually, compared to $70 billion in the UAE and nearly $129 billion in Spain, with the Grand Egyptian Museum helping reposition the country globally. He argued that real estate offers stronger fundamentals than gold or silver for institutional and high-net-worth investors, with a medium-term horizon of five to seven years.
Hazem Helal, Chief Executive Officer of Owest, Makadi Heights, and Byoum, said the sector continues to attract direct foreign investment from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, reinforced by Egyptians’ remittances abroad that now exceed Suez Canal and tourism revenues. Egypt welcomed a record 15 million tourists in 2024, contributing more than $15 billion to GDP and benefiting hospitality-led and mixed-use developments, especially in coastal areas.
Helal noted a shift in development from congested city centers to peripheral areas and integrated communities offering residential, healthcare, education, entertainment, and commercial services. The market entered a correction phase in 2025, with optimistic expectations for 2026 amid improving economic indicators. Amer rejected claims of inflated prices, stating premium residential prices average $1,000 per square meter in Egypt, versus $6,000–$7,000 in GCC markets and $10,000 or more in Europe.
Ahmed Fathy, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Misr Italia Properties, described the phase as one of consolidation and quality-driven competition, leading to fewer but stronger developers. In commercial real estate, the market has shifted from a landlord-driven model to one favoring tenants, with competition on pricing, lease flexibility, functionality, and value-added services.