By Ebi Kesiena
Egypt and China have solidified their strategic partnership with a new agreement aimed at boosting large-scale infrastructure development in Egypt and across the African continent.
The Egyptian government announced on Sunday that a cooperation protocol was signed between the Arab Contractors Company and China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) to form a joint alliance for mega construction projects.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who hailed it as a major step in deepening bilateral cooperation between both countries.
Egypt’s Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, Sherif El-Sherbiny, described the protocol as one of the key outcomes of his recent visit to China. He noted that discussions between the two companies focused on expanding their collaborative reach and tapping into Africa’s growing infrastructure needs.
“This partnership opens new fields of work, enhances future cooperation, and supports our joint ambitions to deliver impactful projects across the region,” El-Sherbiny said.
Meanwhile, the new alliance will combine CSCEC’s global experience, ranked as the world’s top construction company by revenue with the Arab Contractors’ strong presence in Africa and the Middle East. Together, they aim to deliver high-impact infrastructure projects and broaden their operational footprint across the continent.
The signing comes ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected visit to Egypt and follows recent high-level talks between PM Madbouly and senior Chinese official Li Shulei. The visit is expected to advance Egypt-China cooperation in several strategic sectors.
China’s investment footprint in Egypt continues to grow, with over 2,800 Chinese firms operating in the country and total investments exceeding $8 billion, according to the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI).
In Egypt, CSCEC is currently executing major projects including the Central Business District in the New Administrative Capital, which will house Africa’s tallest skyscraper, and the Downtown Towers in New Alamein City.
The agreement is part of the ongoing efforts to align Egypt’s Vision 2030 with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, reinforcing a decade-long partnership focused on industrial development and technology transfer.
