The announcement was made during a joint press conference held at the headquarters of the Egyptian Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation in the New Administrative Capital by Egyptian Planning Minister Rania Al-Mashat and French Ambassador to Cairo Eric Chevallier.
The renewed partnership follows the joint declaration signed during the April 2025 summit in Egypt between Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
It reflects the deepening bilateral relationship, now elevated to a strategic partnership, and aims to advance shared development priorities.
The cooperation framework focuses on three key areas: human development, particularly higher education, sustainable infrastructure, and climate adaptation through green project financing, especially under Egypt’s national NWFE platform.
These efforts align with Egypt’s new Economic Development Narrative, which prioritizes high-productivity sectors with strong export potential.
During the press conference, Minister Al-Mashat noted that both sides have engaged in continuous discussions since the April summit to identify priority projects for funding, in line with Egypt’s economic and structural reform agenda.
She emphasized that Egyptian-French relations are broad and strategic, backed at the highest level by both presidents, and encompass not only development but also investment, trade, cultural exchange, and regional collaboration.
In April, the two countries also signed a 7 billion euro agreement to develop, finance, construct, and operate a facility near Ras Shokair to produce green hydrogen and ammonia.
She highlighted the importance of concessional financing as a cost-effective tool for development, noting Egypt’s efforts to leverage its strong international partnerships to mobilize resources for priority sectors.
With an investment spending ceiling of EGP 1.16 trillion in the past fiscal year, Egypt is working to align financing with national and sectoral development strategies through its Integrated National Strategy for Development Financing.
For his part, Ambassador Chevallier said the renewed cooperation "reinforces the agreement signed between our presidents last April and reflects the depth of our relationship and shared goals."
During President Macron’s visit to Cairo, the two governments signed multiple agreements and memoranda of understanding in healthcare, oncology, and higher education, including the launch of 100 Francophone schools, as well as a joint declaration on four solidarity-based investment projects.
Additionally, nine agreements were signed for concessional financing and grants totalling 262.3 million euros to support priority projects in water treatment, sanitation, electricity, and railways.
These include the new wastewater treatment plant in East Alexandria, the Alexandria Regional Control Centre, and the Gabal El-Asfar wastewater treatment facility.
French investments in Egypt have surpassed $7 billion, making France one of the country’s key partners and creating over 50,000 jobs through the operations of more than 180 French companies in the local market, according to data from the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI).
In March, the European Union pledged a 7.4 billion euro ($8.1 billion) aid and investment package for Egypt over three years.
In May, the two sides concluded negotiations to extend the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), a strategic programme focused on sustainable water and food systems.
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