Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam met with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) officials on Wednesday to bolster cooperation on water and sustainable infrastructure projects. Discussions focused on the Kitchener Drain rehabilitation and upgrading pumping stations across Egypt. The minister highlighted progress in environmental studies and ongoing works to improve water quality.
On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Hani Sewilam, Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, met with officials from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), including Aida Sitdikova, the bank's Director of Sustainable Infrastructure for the Middle East and Africa, and Mark Davis, Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region.
The parties reviewed ongoing cooperation, particularly the Kitchener Drain water quality improvement project, where required environmental studies have been completed, and dredging, weed removal, and embankment rehabilitation works are currently underway. Several bridges along the drain have already been replaced or renovated, with further works in progress. Tenders have been launched for the construction of the El-Hamoul and Samatay pumping stations, alongside the rehabilitation of other pumping facilities and the development of an emergency center in Abu Skeen.
In parallel, equipment is being procured to measure water flows and monitor water quality, with additional technical studies being conducted in coordination with the EBRD. The minister stressed the need to remove obstacles, accelerate implementation, and ensure projects remain on schedule.
The meeting also discussed Egypt's newly developed strategic plan for pumping station rehabilitation, including the potential use of public-private partnerships (PPPs). In addition, officials reviewed steps to assess the structural condition of the Rasheed coastal wall, with terms of reference completed for selecting a consultant to carry out technical and economic feasibility studies and identify financing mechanisms ahead of the execution phase.