The Egyptian Pavilion at IREIS 2026 brings together Egypt's leading real-estate developers, financial institutions, and investment partners under one strategic platform in Abu Dhabi. Designed to highlight Egypt's rapidly expanding property market, the pavilion offers international and GCC investors a direct gateway to residential, commercial, coastal, and mixed-use opportunities across Egypt's most dynamic cities and emerging urban centers. From the New Administrative Capital and New Alamein City to the Red Sea investment corridor, the pavilion showcases Egypt's new generation of master-planned communities, premium coastal destinations, and high-growth investment zones—all under one roof.

Exhibiting in the Egyptian Pavilion gives developers and investment companies access to one of the region's strongest investor bases. Key exhibitor benefits include:

• Direct access to UAE, GCC, and international investors actively seeking real-estate opportunities
• Exposure to high-net-worth individuals, diaspora buyers, institutional investors, and property consultants
• A unified, country-branded space that increases visibility and credibility
• Opportunities to launch new projects, exclusive offers, and promotional campaigns
• Strategic networking with financial institutions, brokers, and regional partners
• Participation in B2B meetings, investment discussions, and media coverage

Egypt attracts $1.4 billion in private capital for thriving real estate market driven by GCC HNWIs

Knight Frank predicts 30,830 new homes in 2025, marking a 29 percent increase from 2024 $120 billion in construction contracts and over $565 billion in planned projects signal growth. Egypt's residential real estate market is attracting $1.4 billion in private capital. This growth is driven by surging demand and solid investor interest, especially from high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) in the GCC, a new report revealed.

Knight Frank highlighted that the country is poised to deliver 30,830 new homes in 2025. This marks a 29 percent increase over the 24,000 units completed in 2024, reflecting strong market momentum. Egypt is rapidly establishing itself as a leading real estate hub in the MENA region. It ranks third in construction activity after Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This growth is supported by a surge in foreign direct investment, particularly from GCC sovereign wealth funds. There are $120 billion in awarded construction contracts and over $565 billion in planned projects.

Faisal Durrani, Knight Frank's Head of Research for MENA, highlighted Egypt's transformation with major projects. These include the 170 million sqm super-city funded by Abu Dhabi's ADQ and the $1 billion Grand Museum in Cairo, alongside a record 15.8 million tourists in 2024.

The residential sector, led by Greater Cairo, benefits from strong developer confidence and buyer-friendly financing. With 244,000 homes available across 155 projects, Knight Frank forecasts a significant pipeline. They expect 30,830 housing units in 2025 and 104 projects due for completion by 2028-2029. Prices are rising, notably in El Sheikh Zayed, where values grew 24.7 percent to $1,964 per square meter since early 2024. Financing terms have become more accessible, with down payments averaging 7.2 percent and instalments extending to 8.5 years.

Strong interest from GCC HNWI GCC HNWI show robust interest in Egypt's property market. Emiratis lead with a potential $709 million investment, followed by Saudis at $403 million and Germans at $263 million. Budgets vary widely, with 23.7 percent of investors seeking homes under $1 million, while 18.6 percent plan to invest $30-50 million. This interest is driven by portfolio diversification strategies primarily among UAE and German buyers. Residential properties remain the most favored asset for Saudi and Emirati HNWI. However, demand for office space among GCC investors has nearly doubled since 2023, now equalling residential interest. Egypt's giga projects, particularly the New Administrative Capital (NAC), are highly attractive investment targets, Knight Frank observed.

Nearly all surveyed HNWI expressed interest in at least one of these developments. About 56 percent of Saudis and 34 percent of Emiratis prioritize the NAC due to its status as the country's future capital. Other preferred locations include the North Coast and Central Cairo.

Many investors (51 percent) plan to acquire homes as second or holiday residences. This trend is expected to fuel a holiday home market projected to generate over $1 billion in revenue by the end of 2025. Rapid expansion of the office market

The office real estate market in Cairo is expanding rapidly, with stock expected to grow by 82 percent by 2030. This growth is driven by rising rents and sale prices. Current supply stands at 1 million sqm, with an additional 818,000 sqm under development.

New Cairo dominates, commanding the highest prices—up to $9,600 per square meter for premium office space. Other key areas include West Cairo, El Sheikh Zayed, and 6th of October City, offering competitive options for businesses.

Zeinab Adel, head of Egypt at Knight Frank, notes Egypt's growing role as a business hub. This growth is supported by operational costs 50-60 percent lower than in Western markets. The rise of business process outsourcing is a key driver, with international firms like Deloitte and PwC expanding their regional technology centers in Cairo. This shift is reshaping demand toward grade-A office space in key districts and the NAC, fostering a vibrant and increasingly diversified real estate market.

In addition to real estate developments, Egypt is seeing significant infrastructure improvements that enhance its attractiveness for both investors and residents.

The government's focus on improving transportation networks, including expansions to Cairo's metro system and road upgrades connecting key urban areas with economic zones, is boosting accessibility to new residential and commercial developments. These projects align with Egypt's Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to support sustainable urbanization and economic growth.

Enhanced infrastructure not only raises the value of existing properties but also catalyzes demand in emerging neighborhoods, providing investors with long-term capital appreciation potential in both residential and office markets.

Legislative reforms for foreign investment

The evolving regulatory framework also plays a crucial role in stimulating foreign investment in Egypt's real estate sector. Recent legislative reforms have streamlined property ownership regulations for foreigners, allowing for easier acquisition processes and increased transparency.

These changes have heightened investor confidence, complemented by government incentives such as tax breaks on new developments and simplified procedures for residency permits tied to property investments. This regulatory support, combined with Egypt's strategic geographic location connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia, continues to position the country as a prime destination for diversified real estate portfolios, attracting capital from across the GCC, Europe, and beyond.

Whether you're an investor, end-user, or looking for portfolio diversification, the Egyptian Pavilion provides:

• Access to high-growth real-estate opportunities at competitive entry points
• Direct communication with top-tier Egyptian developers
• Exclusive investment packages and flexible payment plans
• Insights into Egypt's economic transformation and large-scale urban development
• Guidance for cross-border investment (legal, financial, and ownership processes)

The pavilion highlights investment opportunities across:

• Residential Communities – villas, apartments, luxury homes, gated compounds
• Commercial & Business Hubs – offices, co-working spaces, business parks
• Coastal Destinations – Red Sea, Mediterranean, and North Coast projects
• New Cities & Mega-Developments – NAC, New Alamein, New Mansoura, East Cairo
• Hospitality & Mixed-Use Investments – branded residences, serviced apartments, retail

• Overview of current growth trends
• Urban expansion and new mega-cities
• Government-backed infrastructure and investment incentives

Egypt rise as MENA real estate powerhouse : Knight Frank's Durrani

A Knight Frank report on Egypt's real estate sector, published earlier this October, describes Egypt as a regional real estate powerhouse.

Ahram Online interviewed Faisal Durrani, a partner and head of research at Knight Frank MENA, to discuss the outcomes of its Destination Egypt 2025 report.

Ahram Online: Egypt's real estate sector is seeing significant growth, with a $1.4 billion boost in private capital. How do you see this positioning Egypt as a major player in the MENA real estate market? Faisal Durrani: Egypt is fast consolidating its position as one of the MENA region's most dynamic property markets.

With $1.4 billion in private capital from high-net-worth individuals actively targeting its residential sector, the country is demonstrating a clear shift from speculative to strategic investment. This momentum is underpinned by renewed macroeconomic stability, moderating inflation, and the successful attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI).

From securing $35 billion in funding for the immense 170 million sqm super-city on the north coast courtesy of Abu Dhabi's ADQ to the recent opening of the $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo and the achievement of a historic milestone with 15.8 million tourists visiting last year, Egypt is powering ahead with its economic development agenda. The scale of ongoing development, coupled with relative affordability compared to regional markets, places Egypt's property market firmly on investors' radars seeking growth, diversification, and tangible value.

AO: The report mentions Egypt's $120 billion worth of construction contracts and another $565.5 billion in the pipeline. What do you believe is driving this surge in construction activity?

FD: The surge in construction activity, $120 billion in awarded contracts and a $565.5 billion pipeline, reflects a structural transformation driven by sustained GCC capital inflows, government-backed mega-projects, and a robust reform agenda. Egypt has become the region's third-largest construction market, behind Saudi Arabia and the UAE, propelled by giga projects such as Ras El-Hekma, the New Administrative Capital, and New Alamein. These developments are reshaping the national urban landscape while signalling investor confidence in Egypt's long-term growth trajectory.

The combination of strategic land releases, public-private partnerships, and improved regulatory transparency continues to catalyse unprecedented levels of development activity. AO: Residential property growth is a focal point of the report, with a targeted $1.4 billion in private capital. What trends are you noticing in residential real estate demand, particularly in Greater Cairo? FD: Greater Cairo's residential sector continues to display remarkable momentum, driven by strong developer confidence and attractive buyer financing schemes.

244,000 homes are currently available for sale across 155 projects, and 30,830 units are scheduled for delivery in 2025, a 29 percent increase from the 24,000 units delivered in 2024. As of the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, the submarkets of New Zayed and New Cairo command the highest prices, averaging around EGP 102,000 psm ($2,100 psm) and EGP 85,150 psm ($1,750 psm), respectively. The market's buoyancy has been catalysed by buyer-friendly financing terms, with the average down payments across the city of just 7.2 percent and instalment periods now stretching to 8.5 years, up from 7.7 years during Q1. Villas in New Cairo sell for an average of EGP 159,000 psm ($3,270 psm), while apartments at VYE SODIC in New Zayed by SODIC are on the market for EGP 107,000 psm ($2,205 psm).

This shift towards buyer-friendly financing and shell-and-core delivery underscores the sector's adaptability and highlights developers' confidence in sustained end-user demand.

AO: The report highlights demand from the high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), particularly from Saudi and Emirati investors. What makes Egypt such an attractive market for these investors?

FD: Demand from GCC HNWI, particularly Saudis and Emiratis, remains exceptionally strong, with 86 percent of Saudi and 82 percent of Emirati respondents expressing intent to purchase residential property in Egypt within three years. Saudi and UAE HNWI have the strongest appetite to invest in real estate in Egypt, mirroring the $59.5 billion invested by GCC governments since 2021.

For Saudi HNWI, offices (63 percent) hold the greatest appeal, followed by industrial and logistics (47 percent) and the education sector (44 percent). In contrast, residential property is the go-to real estate market segment for Emirati HNWI (61 percent), followed by branded residences (50 percent) and hospitality (43 percent).

For Emirati and Saudi HNWI with a net worth of more than $10 million, branded residences (60 percent) are the top target. For those with a net worth of $500,000-1 million or $2-5 million, the residential sector is the most popular asset class, according to Knight Frank. Egypt's giga projects are attracting overwhelming interest from GCC investors, with 99 percent of HNWI surveyed expressing intent to invest in one of these developments.

The New Administrative Capital (NAC), the country's most prominent giga project, is especially popular, with 56 percent of Saudi and 34 percent of Emirati HNWI identifying it as a prime investment target. For budgets, Emirati HNWI lead the pack with a total budget of $709 million and an average budget of $16.2 million, followed by Saudi HNWI with a total budget of $403 million and an average budget of $9.4 million for their residential property purchase. For this cohort, Egypt represents a compelling blend of accessibility, cultural proximity, and long-term capital appreciation potential, elements that have sustained investor enthusiasm. AO: There is growing demand for coastal properties as second homes. Do you foresee Egypt's coastal areas becoming a significant luxury market, and what challenges could arise from this growth? FD: The availability of coastal properties has emerged as the main draw for global and GCC HNWI eyeing a residential purchase in Egypt, and around half (51 percent) of respondents plan to use their acquisition as a second home or holiday home. This rises to 53 percent for those with a net worth of over $10 million and to 60 percent among those with a net worth of $1-2 million.

Egypt's coastal cities, particularly the North Coast, Ras El-Hekma, and Soma Bay, are redefining the country's second-home and luxury landscape.

With $35 billion committed to Ras El-Hekma alone, these master-planned communities are evolving into year-round lifestyle destinations that combine pristine coastlines with branded residential and hospitality offerings. The main challenge ahead will be ensuring year-round economic activity and infrastructure resilience to support permanent communities beyond the summer season. Nonetheless, Egypt's relative affordability and depth of coastal development pipeline position it as the region's next luxury leisure hub.

• Developers
• Brokers & real-estate agencies
• Investment firms
• Financial & mortgage providers
• Property management & advisory services

• Showcase area listing top participating developers
• Brief of project categories (residential/commercial/coastal)
• Opportunity to preview upcoming launches

• Legal guidance for foreign investors
• Financing solutions & mortgage consultation
• Property management & after-sale services
• On-site advisory teams for investor consultation