Egypt, EIB discuss expansion of water, wastewater projects

Egypt’s Minister of Housing Sherif El-Sherbiny met with a European Investment Bank (EIB) delegation on Tuesday to review ongoing water and wastewater projects and explore new investment opportunities.

The delegation was led by Lionel Rapaille – EIB Director of Lending Operations in EU Neighbouring Countries. The officials held talks that covered projects worth roughly €721 million, including wastewater treatment in Fayoum, improvements to Kafr El-Sheikh water services, and the second phase of the Improved Water and Wastewater Services Programme (IWSP II) Programme in Upper Egypt.

El-Sherbiny highlighted the ministry’s support for implementing agencies and stressed the importance of strengthening public-private partnerships. Rapaille praised the ministry’s support for implementing agencies and expressed EIB’s commitment to continue financing projects aligned with national priorities.

The EIB delegation signalled the bank’s readiness to partner with Egypt’s Ministry of Housing on multiple initiatives, including financing small-scale desalination plants, conducting studies to cut water losses in networks across two governorates slated for seawater desalination, and implementing wastewater projects under a Results-Based Lending

The meeting also focused on joint workshops and coordination mechanisms to expand cooperation, improve project delivery, and support Egypt’s sustainable development goals.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English