Egyptian businessman Hassan Allam’s utilities business has secured up to $32.1 million in equity investment from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to expand water infrastructure and desalination projects in Egypt.

The investment will be made in RWD Investments B.V., a Netherlands-based water infrastructure platform wholly owned by Egypt-based Hassan Allam Utilities (HAU), and forms part of a $92.9 million project aimed at expanding the company’s water infrastructure activities.

Hassan Allam-backed platform expands desalination capacity

Established in 2019, RWD Investments serves as HAU’s water infrastructure platform, with a focus on developing and operating water projects in Egypt.

The EBRD investment will support RWD’s medium-term expansion pipeline, with a particular focus on desalination. The funding will help expand desalinated water capacity and improve the operating efficiency of existing plants.

The investment will also cover development costs associated with future large-scale water projects, allowing RWD to prepare additional infrastructure projects for implementation.

EBRD backs private-sector participation in Egypt’s water infrastructure

A key component of the investment is the development of future water projects under public-private partnership structures.

The PPP model is expected to provide a framework for private-sector participation in additional water infrastructure projects, extending RWD’s activities beyond its existing desalination portfolio.

The investment comes as Egypt seeks to expand alternative water sources and strengthen water infrastructure, including for businesses and other users in areas that are not connected to municipal networks.

For Hassan Allam Utilities, the EBRD investment provides additional capital to execute its medium-term expansion strategy while developing a pipeline of larger water infrastructure projects.

RWD targets broader water infrastructure footprint

RWD’s next phase will focus on executing its expansion pipeline in Egypt, including increasing desalination capacity, improving existing plant operations and developing future large-scale projects through PPP structures.

The company’s strategy positions desalination as a key component of its water infrastructure activities while creating a platform for participation in future projects.

For Hassan Allam, the investment further expands the utilities arm’s role in Egypt’s infrastructure sector, with RWD positioned to participate in the country’s growing need for alternative water sources and privately developed water infrastructure.