At a Glance
- Egypt to open airport management bids, starting with Hurghada International by end-2025.
- IFC to advise on tenders, aiming to attract global airport operators and investors.
- The move aligns with Vision 2030, targeting tourism growth and aviation sector modernization.
In a move to boost foreign direct investment and revamp its aviation sector, Egypt will launch its first-ever competitive bids for private airport management starting with Hurghada International Airport by the end of 2025.
Backed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), this strategic shift aligns with Cairo’s broader economic reform agenda and its IMF-supported efforts to expand private sector participation across critical infrastructure.
The move is designed to boost Egypt’s appeal as a destination for aviation investment, as the government seeks to increase airport capacity, improve logistics, and drive tourism growth.
The initiative comes as Egypt looks to position itself as a key logistics and tourism hub in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
With global air travel rebounding and investor appetite for emerging market infrastructure assets growing, Egypt is aiming to modernize airport operations and ease fiscal burdens while unlocking new revenue streams through public-private partnerships.
IFC-led privatization to anchor Egypt’s airport transformation
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly unveiled the plan during high-level talks with IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop, held alongside the “Development Finance to Foster Private Sector-Led Growth & Jobs” summit in the New Administrative Capital.
The IFC, part of the World Bank Group, will advise on tender structuring and help attract top-tier global airport operators.
“This is a pivotal milestone in our infrastructure reform,” Madbouly said, noting that Hurghada International will serve as the model for scaling airport concessions across the country.
Egypt’s airports currently remain under public control, and the new framework aims to bring operational efficiency, enhanced passenger experiences, and increased competitiveness.
Egypt aims to attract global infrastructure investors
Minister of Planning and Economic Development Rania Al-Mashat confirmed that a global investment roadshow will soon launch to market the opportunity to international airport operators and infrastructure funds.
Makhtar Diop stressed that the IFC will ensure the privatization model adheres to global best practices, enabling Egypt to attract long-term institutional investors.
The airport management initiative is central to Egypt’s Vision 2030 goals, which include modernizing transport services and increasing annual tourist arrivals amid ongoing currency and debt challenges.
With Hurghada International Airport set to pioneer the shift, Cairo is making a calculated bet: that global investors will see long-term value in Egypt’s aviation sector transformation.
