Cairo, September 7, 2026: The Cityscape 2026 Summit kicked off today at The St. Regis Cairo in the New Capital, under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, and the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, in cooperation with the Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD), and organized by Informa, a global leader in international exhibitions and events.
This year’s Summit brings together a distinguished group of senior government officials, real estate investment and development leaders, and industry experts from Egypt and across the region. Participants include Eng. Ahmed Ibrahim, Vice President of NUCA for Planning and Projects sector, Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities; H.E. Yasser Sobhy, Deputy Minister of Finance for Fiscal Policies; Eng. Khaled Abbas, Chairman and Managing Director of the Administrative Capital for Urban Development; Mohamed Khalafallah, Head of the New Alamein City Development Authority and representative of the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities; alongside prominent private-sector and international institution leaders, including Michael Jalbert, CEO and Board Member of Forbes Global Properties; Raki Phillips, Regional President, Middle East, Africa and Turkey at Accor; Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, global economist, United Nations Special Envoy on Financing Sustainable Development and Professor of Economics and Finance at Cairo University; Hazem Badran, Co-CEO and Managing Director, Palm Hills Developments; H.E. Yasser Sobhi, Vice Minister of Finance for Fiscal Policies, Ministry of Finance; and Christopher Cantelmi, Principal, Infrastructure and Natural Resources at the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The Summit takes place as Egypt continues to implement its urban development plans and expand the development of new cities and communities, with the New Capital serving as a prominent example of this direction. The Summit provides a platform for policymakers, investors and developers to exchange perspectives on the requirements of the next phase and the future of Egypt’s real estate sector.
It also addresses a range of investment and economic issues, including global capital flows and opportunities to maximize Gulf and European investment in the Egyptian real estate market, as well as the future of the New Capital, developments in Ras El Hekma, and the financing tools and mechanisms available to investors. Discussions also explore how shifting global trade dynamics, regional realignments and capital flows are shaping Egypt’s investment landscape, including emerging opportunities in data centers and AI. The agenda also examines current market dynamics, what is driving demand and where projects face constraints, while investment experts assess the sectors attracting attention and the factors driving investment decisions today.
Fathallah Fawzy, Vice Chairman of the Egyptian Businessmen’s Association and Chairman of its Real Estate Development and Contracting Committee, said: “We meet today at a pivotal moment for the real estate sector, as the world around us is being reshaped amid geopolitical and economic shifts and growing competition among cities and countries to attract investment. Amid these changes, Egypt presents a genuine opportunity, with its large market, strong underlying demand, exceptional geographic location, and infrastructure that has undergone significant development. However, opportunity alone is not enough. To transform these strengths into sustainable investments, we must move the Egyptian market into a new phase centered on value creation, diversified financing models, and regional and international thinking that brings together opportunities and expertise with capital.”
He added: “Today’s customer is more informed and increasingly focused on quality of life and sustainability. As a result, the market will not reward the largest players, but rather those that demonstrate the greatest efficiency and credibility. Investors are always looking for clarity of vision, clear regulations, and confidence in the future, which requires an integrated role from the state to enhance transparency and regulate the market. One of Cityscape’s key strengths is its ability to bring the government, developers, investors, and experts around one table, because the future of the real estate sector cannot be shaped by one party alone; it must be built through the integration of all stakeholders and mutual trust.”
In his opening remarks at the Summit, Eng. Ahmed Ibrahim, Vice President of NUCA for Planning and Projects sector, Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities said: “We meet today at an exceptional moment in the history of Egypt’s real estate market, where significant challenges converge with a promising market. The sector’s recent experience of rapid economic changes, rising investment costs, and disruptions to supply chains, and their subsequent impact on project execution, has been more than a test of the market’s resilience. It has also served as a catalyst for redefining working mechanisms, reprioritizing objectives, and adopting more efficient and sustainable business models.”
He added: “At the heart of these transformations, the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities represents the national driving force behind this sector, with the role of the state evolving into that of a strategic partner and catalyst for growth. Egyptian developers are no longer simply builders of concrete structures; they have become community builders and drivers of innovation. This requires greater flexibility and prudent operational management, alongside a strong focus on sustainability, innovative financing solutions, and a firm commitment to the interests of customers who have placed their trust in this vital sector.”
For his part, economist Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, former Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, said: “The current edition of Cityscape Summit comes at an exceptional economic juncture that requires a careful assessment of global and regional developments, as well as a cautious and professional approach to rapidly changing growth rates and inflation levels. The real estate sector, which has long served as a cornerstone of economic growth and a safe haven for investment, is now facing a genuine test to reorganize its priorities and explore new pathways that can ensure its resilience and sustainability in the face of current competitive and financing challenges.”
He continued: “To ensure that the sector continues to fulfill its vital role, it is essential to focus on strengthening sustainability and avoiding the overvaluation of assets, while implementing realistic and transparent pricing and risk management standards. The future of real estate investment will depend primarily on building strategic partnerships and delivering innovative solutions that keep pace with structural changes in the market, thereby preserving the long-term value of investments and creating an attractive environment for both local and international investors.”
Robier Daniel, Cityscape Egypt Exhibition Director, said: "This year’s Cityscape Summit agenda reflects the transformations taking place across the real estate sector and the diverse investment opportunities emerging alongside them. Our discussions focus on the issues that will have the greatest impact on the sector in the next phase, from stimulating investment and strengthening investor confidence to regional cooperation and cross-border investment. We are also highlighting growth opportunities across hospitality, tourism, retail and mixed-use developments, alongside data centers and digital infrastructure, opening new avenues for investment and supporting the competitiveness of the Egyptian market."
The diversity of speakers participating in the Summit also reflects the breadth of the dialogue it convenes, bringing together representatives from the government, the Ministry of Finance and the Administrative Capital for Urban Development, alongside leaders from international institutions such as the International Finance Corporation, as well as global and regional companies operating across real estate development, hospitality and investment, including Forbes Global Properties, Accor and Palm Hills.
The Cityscape 2026 Summit concludes its proceedings by reaffirming the importance of continued dialogue among the government, investors, developers, financial institutions and industry experts. Such dialogue contributes to shaping clearer perspectives on the future of real estate investment in Egypt, strengthening the market’s ability to attract local and international investment, and creating new avenues for growth.