Egypt attracts record foreign direct investment as Suez Canal traffic recovers

Egypt's economy is demonstrating notable resilience and growth, propelled by a significant surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) and ongoing international financial support. In 2024, Egypt successfully attracted an impressive $47 billion in FDI, marking a substantial increase from $10 billion in 2023 and positioning the country as the 9th largest recipient globally and the leader in Africa for FDI growth. This remarkable inflow was largely bolstered by the $35 billion Ras El Hekma deal with the Emirati Holding Company (ADQ) in February 2024. The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) is actively targeting further investments in key sectors including industry, green energy, technology, agriculture, logistics, and healthcare, aiming to sustain this positive trajectory.

Further bolstering investor confidence, Egypt has successfully settled all outstanding dues owed to foreign oil and gas partners, reducing arrears from $6.1 billion at the end of June 2024 to zero by June 10, 2026. This move is seen as a critical step in removing a major obstacle to investment, drilling, exploration, and production in the petroleum sector. Concurrently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues its support, having completed the fifth and sixth reviews of Egypt's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement in February 2026, allowing for a disbursement of approximately $2.3 billion. This is part of an expanded $8 billion program approved in March 2024, which emphasizes structural reforms, boosting the private sector, tackling inflation, and maintaining a flexible exchange rate regime.

While Suez Canal revenues faced significant challenges in 2024, plunging to $3.991 billion from a historic high of $10.25 billion in 2023 due to Red Sea tensions, recent data indicates an unexpected rebound. In April 2026, the number of oil tankers crossing the Suez Canal surged by almost a third, driving revenues to $419 million, a 27% increase year-on-year. This recovery is attributed to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have spurred an alternative Red Sea energy route, highlighting the canal's enduring strategic importance despite regional volatility. The World Bank projects Egypt's economy to grow by 4.4% in the fiscal year 2024/2025, further rising to 4.6% in 2025/2026, underscoring a cautiously optimistic outlook for the nation's economic future.