Egypt’s latest megaproject: Building a futuristic desert city

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At a Glance

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• Egypt’s Jirian city will reclaim 2.5 million acres of desert to boost agriculture and urban development west of Cairo.
• The megaproject aims to create 250,000 jobs, house 3 million people, and integrate luxury real estate, education, and green infrastructure.
• Jirian’s man-made Nile canal supports irrigation, addressing water scarcity amid regional tensions over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

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Egypt is launching a bold new chapter in its urban and agricultural development with the unveiling of Jirian, a futuristic desert city west of Cairo designed to reshape the Nile Delta landscape.

This ambitious megaproject, initiated in 2021, aims to reclaim 2.5 million acres of arid land, turning it into a thriving agricultural and urban hub, while bolstering Egypt’s food security by increasing strategic crop production like wheat and corn.

Named after the Arabic word for “Flow,” Jirian is designed as an integrated development zone blending luxury real estate, soaring 80-story skyscrapers, international universities, cutting-edge hospitals, eco-conscious hotels, and dynamic cultural and commercial districts.

Egypt’s next-gen urban center

Strategically located minutes from landmark cultural sites like the Grand Egyptian Museum and the Pyramids of Giza, as well as the soon-to-open Sphinx International Airport, Jirian is positioned to become a new nexus for tourism, education, and business innovation in Egypt.

Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli has described the project as an “urban and development revolution,” with projections to generate 250,000 jobs and accommodate up to three million residents.

Spanning over 1,680 acres, the city integrates industry, logistics, and green infrastructure designed to foster sustainable urban growth.

A central feature of Jirian is a man-made canal sourced directly from the Nile River.

This waterway will serve both as a scenic urban centerpiece and as a critical irrigation system, supporting the surrounding farmland and highlighting Egypt’s commitment to sustainable agriculture amid water scarcity.

From water security to urban growth

With 97 percent of its freshwater supply dependent on the Nile, Egypt faces ongoing tensions with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a regional flashpoint that threatens to disrupt water flow downstream.

The Jirian project, therefore, represents not only an urban milestone but a strategic move to safeguard Egypt’s water and food future.

Set for completion within five years, Jirian joins a series of transformative infrastructure projects under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s administration, including the new administrative capital east of Cairo  reinforcing Egypt’s drive to secure economic resilience and sustainable growth in a rapidly changing region.