Egypt is building a new administrative capital in the desert to shift power away from Cairo and decongest the city, despite facing economic challenges and criticism over costs and affordability.
"It's a city for six million people, and I don't think there are six million people that can actually afford this city."
"The military, especially since 2013, has penetrated the state and the political system."
"Economists say Egypt can't afford this new capital."
"It's clearly a city for the rich, simply by finances."
"With regard to Rafa, I had a very good conversation with President el-Sisi. We have put in place, Egypt has put in place, a lot of material support for people in Gaza."
Key insights
Shifting Power and Decongesting Cairo
Egypt is building a new administrative capital in the desert to shift power away from Cairo and address issues like congested traffic and social unrest.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi aims to distance himself from urban centers to prevent effective revolts against his government.
Military Involvement and Financial Concerns
Egypt's military, through the Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD), is heavily involved in the new capital project, benefiting financially from land sales and contracts.
Most of the project's funding has come from public funds, leading to criticism over the growing budget and concerns about Egypt's ability to afford the new capital.
Economic Challenges and Affordability Issues
Egypt's economic crisis, worsened by the war in Ukraine, poses a significant challenge to funding the new capital.
The high cost of apartments in the new capital, starting at $80,000, raises questions about the affordability of living there for the majority of Egyptian residents.
International Relations and Financial Aid
Egypt's role in mediating conflicts between Israel and Hamas has put pressure on the country to align with various international interests.
Foreign financial aid, including offers from Gulf States in exchange for accepting Palestinian refugees, becomes crucial for Egypt's economic stability and the completion of the new capital project.
Make it stick
💰 Egypt is building a new capital to shift power from Cairo and decongest the city, despite economic challenges.
🏗️ The military's involvement in the new capital project raises concerns about financial sustainability.
🌍 Egypt's role in international relations affects its ability to secure financial aid for economic stability.
💸 Affordability issues in the new capital highlight the stark wealth gap in Egypt.
This summary contains AI-generated information and may have important inaccuracies or omissions.