Egypt’s Sisi lifts land registration curbs on historic endowment in three governorates

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has directed authorities to lift restrictions on registering land belonging to the Ottoman-era Prince Mostafa Abdel-Mannan endowment in three governorates, allowing residents to resume property transactions, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said on Wednesday.

The directive covers land within the endowment’s boundaries in Damietta, Dakahlia, and Kafr el-Sheikh. The Real Estate Registration and Notarisation Authority had suspended registration there under Technical Circular No. 8 of 2026, issued on 6 May.

The authority issued Technical Circular No. 13 on Wednesday, dated 4 Nov, revoking the earlier circular and lifting the restrictions it placed on registration and property transactions, so citizens can resume dealings in accordance with the law, the statement said.

The earlier circular had halted all procedures and transactions involving land covered by the endowment deed until an inventory was completed. Lawmakers from the three governorates had requested briefings on the measure.

Madbouly’s statement said the decision reflected Sisi’s commitment to protecting citizens’ interests, stabilising property transactions, and addressing public concerns. It said the move preserved the rights of the state, endowment funds, and all parties with legitimate claims.

In May, Sisi had reviewed the Egyptian Awqaf Authority’s plans for its real estate assets and stressed the need to inventory and document all its holdings. In June, the government said citizens with settled legal positions inside the endowment’s boundaries would not be affected, and that it would offer the Awqaf Authority state-owned land as an alternative.

The endowment dates to around 1595, estimated at around 421,000 feddans (roughly 1,770 square km) of agricultural land.