Seen Tutankhamun yet? 📸

Welcome back to another edition of the Egypt Weekly Roundup.

Last week, Egypt’s New Administrative Capital was officially renamed… to the New Capital. Talk about a subtle rebrand.

Here at Egypt Weekly Roundup, we figured why not follow suit? We’ve streamlined things a bit: Politics and Society are now a single section, and so are Business and Economy. Fewer sections, cleaner layout, faster scroll.

Now, let’s dive into our first (new) stop: Politics & Society.

• GEM tickets selling 🔥

• How to Black Friday in Egypt 🛍️

• Qatar bets big on North Coast 💰

• Egypt pushes for Sudan peace 🕊

A QUICK MESSAGE BEFORE YOU SCROLL…
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GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM | TOURISM
GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM TICKETS SOLD OUT LAST FRIDAY

Last Friday, tickets to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) sold out after the site hit full capacity early in the day, prompting the suspension of both online and on-site sales. Photos reminiscent of Louvre-like crowds circulated on social media, showing waves of visitors and phones swarming around the museum’s many signature attractions — much like the iconic scene above.

New ticketing strategy: In response to the surge, GEM urged advance ticket bookings via its official website and announced that weekend (Friday/Saturday) entries will be strictly online-only to manage capacity and visitor experience.

Record-breaking debut: Officials reported that GEM welcomed about 18,000 visitors on its first public day, which was on Monday, signifying unprecedented public interest in the museum. Egypt’s Planning Minister Rania Al-Mashat projects the museum will help the country achieve its goal of attracting 30 million tourists by 2030.

BLACK FRIDAY: A REMINDER TO SHOP SMART

Who doesn’t love a good end-of-year deal? As the Black Friday buzz begins, Egyptians everywhere are preparing their wish lists, from tech gadgets and home appliances to fashion, beauty, and self-care splurges. It’s the one time of year when the thrill of shopping meets the satisfaction of saving.

But while mega sales can be exciting, they can also be overwhelming. It’s easy to get caught up in the rush and end up buying things you don’t need. Smart shopping during sales seasons isn’t about spending less or more, it’s about spending wisely.

TIP #1 – The smart shopper mindset: The key to surviving Black Friday without regret is preparation. Before the big day, make a list of what you actually need. Are you replacing an old appliance? Looking for a work laptop? Planning to gift a loved one something meaningful? Having a clear plan keeps you focused when the sales start rolling in.

TIP #2 – Quality over quantity: It’s easy to fall for the quantity trap, buying five discounted items instead of one thing you truly need. But the smarter move is to focus on quality. Black Friday can be a great time to invest in long-lasting products or services: a durable washing machine, a comfortable mattress, or a wellness package that improves your quality of life.

Choosing items that add real value to your daily routine ensures that your purchases go beyond the excitement of the sale, they become useful investments.

TIP #3 – Use alternative payment solutions through trusted platforms: Even when you plan carefully, big purchases can strain your budget, especially when several items come up at once. That’s where alternative payment options can make all the difference.

As part of the Valu Friday campaign, Valu is rolling out exclusive discounts and cashback rewards through Shop’IT, its one-stop digital marketplace built directly into the Valu app. Revamped earlier this year, Shop’IT connects customers to explore a wide variety of merchants and categories, from electronics, fashion, and beauty to home essentials and more, allowing users to browse, compare, and buy all in one place and from the comfort of their homes. Every purchase made using your Valu limit unlocks special offers, instant Shop’IT cashback, flexible payment plans, and a smooth, secure checkout experience. By bringing discovery, purchase, and payment together in one seamless flow, Shop’IT marks a major step forward in Valu’s mission to redefine fintech and e-commerce, especially during beneficial sale seasons.

Valu is helping Egyptians shop smarter during the sale season by special discounts, with the added benefit of spreading out their payments over time and get rewards through Shop’IT and its regular Black Friday offers. Instead of paying everything upfront, shoppers can take advantage of the convenient payment plans that make managing expenses far easier, particularly during the holiday rush.

FINAL TIP – Remember, Black Friday is an opportunity to save, not a reason to overspend. By shopping intentionally, focusing on what really matters, and using smart financial tools like Valu’s payment solutions, Egyptians can make the most of this season’s deals without compromising their financial balance.

So, as you scroll through the endless offers this Black Friday, remind yourself it’s not about how much you spend, but how wisely you spend it. Take advantage of the discounts, plan ahead, and use payment solutions that help you stay in control. Because at the end of the day, the smartest deal you can make is one that gives you both, the things you love and the peace of mind that comes from spending smart.

NORTH COAST | FOREIGN INVESTMENT | LAND DEVELOPMENT
QATAR JOINS NORTH COAST CRAZE WITH $29.7 BILLION DEAL FOR LARGE LAND DEVELOPMENT

Egypt and Qatar have signed a monumental USD 29.7 billion investment agreement with Qatari Diar to develop the Semla and Alam El‑Roum areas in Egypt’s Matrouh Governorate into a year‑round luxury destination. 

Project specifics: The deal, signed at the Cabinet headquarters in the New Administrative Capital with Mostafa Madbouly, Minister Sherif El‑Sherbiny and Qatari Minister & Diar Chairman Abdullah bin Hamad Al‑Attiyah, covers over 20 million square metres and includes residences, resorts, golf courses, marinas, schools, and universities — with Qatar paying USD 3.5 billion upfront and the remainder as in‑kind development. 

Economic impact: The project is expected to create more than 250,000 direct and indirect jobs, boost Egypt’s efforts to attract sustainable foreign direct investment (FDI), support ongoing economic reforms, and further cement the country’s position as a leading investment destination in the region.

SUDAN | GEOPOLITICS | CEASEFIRE
EGYPT PUSHES FOR SUDAN CEASEFIRE WITH EU

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held urgent talks with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, pressing for a full ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian aid access in Sudan and reaffirming Egypt’s role as a regional mediator.

Diplomatic push: Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s condemnation of recent violations in Al Fashir, reiterated that “there is no military solution,” and highlighted Egypt’s coordination via the Quad mechanism. He also called for sustained international efforts to preserve Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and national institutions.

Regional implications: The discussion also covered broader African stability, with both parties agreeing to enhance aid volumes and support post‑conflict reconstruction, confirming Egypt’s strategic partnership with the EU on humanitarian and security fronts.