Egypt targets 5% primary surplus, 4.9% deficit in 2026/27 budget

Egypt’s government aims for a primary surplus of 1.2 trillion Egyptian pounds (5 per cent of GDP) in its 2026/2027 state budget, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said on Thursday. The government also targets an overall fiscal deficit of 4.9 per cent of GDP by June 2027.

The 5.1 trillion Egyptian pound budget plan, approved by the Cabinet under Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly after being presented to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, includes 65 economic public authorities and aligns with Egypt’s broader economic and social development plan.

Budget sector debt is projected to decline to 78 per cent of GDP by June 2027, while the primary surplus is expected to create additional fiscal space for debt reduction and social spending.

Kouchouk said the budget strikes a balance between fiscal discipline and economic stimulus, supporting social programmes and investment while maintaining macroeconomic stability.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English