Netanyahu to Cairo? 🛬

What's inside: What's in store for Egypt's economy in 2026, government wants fake news gone, and much more inside.

December 14, 2025

December 07 – 13 | 2025
Image: Egyptian motorcycle riders cruising along a highway (Youssef Samuil / Pexels)

Hey friends,

Welcome back to another edition of the Egypt Weekly Roundup.

Did you know that the world’s heaviest chandelier is in Egypt? And that’s only one of three Guinness World Records awarded to Egypt’s Grand Mosque, located in the New Administrative Capital.

Unlike that chandelier, this edition is lighter than usual — fewer stories, but no less significant. Let’s jump into it.

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MIDDLE EAST | ISRAEL
FIRST NETANYAHU EGYPT VISIT IN 15 YEARS, HAPPENING SOON?

Image: Occupied Golan Heights (Samir Smier / Pexels)

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning a visit to Cairo to seal a long-term, multibillion-dollar natural gas deal with Egypt, according to an informed source speaking with Times of Israel. Netanyahu hopes to cast the trip — his first to Cairo in 15 years — as a historic diplomatic milestone and a political win at home, after years of strained ties following the Gaza war and prior geopolitical tension.

This visit would be a big deal: The Cairo visit, which is being heavily lobbied by the United States, follows a period with almost no high-level diplomatic contact between the two countries. Relations have been tense over Gaza, the Rafah crossing, refugees, and border incidents, so a high-profile energy deal would signal that direct cooperation is still possible.​

The gas deal in brief: The planned agreement is described as a long-term natural gas export deal worth around USD 35 billion, positioning Israeli gas as a pillar of regional energy ties and future state revenue. Netanyahu wants to present it as proof that Israel can deepen peace with Arab neighbors even after the war, and as a showcase of his economic stewardship.​

The political and security friction: Energy Minister Eli Cohen has delayed the agreement, warning that large export commitments could weaken Israel’s domestic energy security. His pushback highlights internal concerns about moving too fast on a deal that mixes big money, sensitive security issues, and fragile regional politics.​

🌍️ MORE FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

🇪🇹 ETHIOPIA: Egypt’s ambassador in Rome publicly accused Ethiopia of dragging out GERD talks and warned that Cairo views its Nile water security as an existential issue, calling on Ethiopia’s present delegate to “Wake up from the illusion of controlling Nile” – Know more​

🇫🇷 FRANCE: President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed strengthening the Egypt–France strategic partnership, from trade and investment to security cooperation, while also coordinating efforts to consolidate the Gaza ceasefire and push towards a political process for a Palestinian state – Know more​

🇵🇸 PALESTINE: Egypt sent its 91st aid convoy to Gaza, delivering large quantities of relief including food, fuel, tents, blankets, and winter clothing to help displaced families facing harsh winter conditions – Know more​

🇦🇴 ANGOLA: A message from President Al-Sisi to Angola’s President Lourenço reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to “African solutions” for the continent’s crises, deepening Cairo–Luanda coordination on peace, security, and development – Know more

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DEBT | EXPORTS | HEALTH
EGYPT’S 2026 PRIORITY IS STILL LOWERING DEBT, EXPORTS, AND HEALTH: PM MADBOULY

Egypt’s government is setting 2026 economic policy around one core priority: reducing overall and external debt in coordination with the Central Bank, while leaning on improved growth indicators, higher exports, and stronger domestic production to create fiscal space, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly stated during the weekly cabinet meeting.

Debt cuts to free up social spending: Madbouly said the state aims to bring the debt-to-GDP ratio below 75 percent within three years, arguing that lower debt servicing costs are essential to unlock more spending for health and education. He highlighted expanding allocations for the Universal Health Insurance System and the Decent Life rural development program as examples of how fiscal room will be used once borrowing pressures ease.​

Positive signals everywhere: Egypt’s PM also cited Fitch Ratings’ improved growth outlook — keeping Egypt at B while lifting expected growth above 5 percent on stronger investment, exports, and a steadier pound — and said IMF missions are wrapping up combined reviews of Egypt’s IMF programs, describing talks as positive without giving details.

Incentives, exports, and green energy push: Madbouly highlighted new tax and investment incentives to boost private-led growth and expand exports, especially for small firms and start-ups, while approving major wind and solar projects and plans to list a state wind farm under the privatization program, cementing green energy as a future driver of exports and jobs.

🏦 MORE BUSINESS & ECONOMY:

💶 EBRD: Egypt signed six agreements with the EBRD, including a 165 million euro financing package plus grants to upgrade the national electricity grid and integrate more renewables – Know more​

🌾 AGRICULTURE: Egypt’s agriculture minister announced that agricultural exports have reached about 8.8 million tons so far this year, with citrus, fresh vegetables, and potatoes among the top products – Know more

🛢️ GAS DISCOVERY: UAE-based Dana Gas reported a new natural gas discovery in Egypt’s onshore Nile Delta, saying the find will support future production and extend the life of its existing assets in the country – Know more

☀️ SOLAR POWER: Norway’s Scatec added new partners to its Obelisk 24/7 solar and battery storage project in Egypt, advancing a flagship clean energy venture that aims to deliver round-the-clock renewable power to the grid – Know more

📉 INFLATION: Egypt’s annual urban inflation slowed to 12.3 percent in November 2025, continuing its downward trend as food prices cooled and tighter monetary policy filtered through the economy – Know more

📦 TRADE DEFICIT: Egypt’s trade deficit fell by 27.6 percent in September 2025 year-on-year, as rising exports and lower imports helped ease external pressures and support the state’s broader debt and balance-of-payments strategy – Know more

GOVERNANCE | MISINFORMATION | DATA
NEW DATA LAWS AND STRICTER FINES TO COMBAT “MISINFORMATION”

Egypt’s cabinet is preparing a tougher legal framework to confront rumours and fake news, combining higher financial penalties under the Penal Code with a long-delayed law on the circulation of official data and information. Officials frame the package as a way to protect “societal security” and the economy while promising it will still respect constitutional guarantees for press and media freedom.​

Tougher penalties for misinformation: The government plans to amend the Penal Code to increase fines for spreading rumours and false information, saying current penalties do not provide enough deterrence. The Ministry of Justice has been tasked with drafting changes, including a review of fines under Article 380, to bring sanctions in line with what the cabinet describes as the seriousness of misinformation-related offences.​

New data circulation law: In parallel, the cabinet moved to speed up a long-discussed bill regulating how official data and information are shared, designed to implement Article 68 of the constitution. The law aims to guarantee citizens access to accurate information while protecting confidential data, with officials arguing that clearer channels for official data will undercut space for rumours to spread.​

Early warning units and training: Ministries have been instructed to set up “early warning units” to monitor and debunk rumours in coordination with the cabinet’s media centre, using rapid responses backed by documented information. The communications ministry will also roll out specialized training for state employees to boost their capacity to track misinformation and verify content online.

🏠️ MORE POLITICS & SOCIETY:

✈️ VISA FEES: Egypt’s tourism ministry denied reports of an immediate visa fee increase from USD 25 to USD 45, clarifying that recent legal amendments only set a higher maximum cap and that any change will be announced officially if and when decided – Know more​

⚓ ANCIENT EGYPTIAN BOAT: Archaeologists off Alexandria uncovered the remains of what is believed to be an ancient Egyptian pleasure boat, a rare discovery expected to shed new light on elite leisure life and maritime culture along Egypt’s Mediterranean coast – Know more​

⚽️ FOOTBALL: Controversy over next year’s World Cup competition as Egypt and Iran are scheduled to face off in a “Pride Match” in Seattle, a high-profile fixture that the Egyptian Football Association refuses to have the national team associated with – Know more