Cairo University expands academic cooperation with African countries
Cairo University President Dr. Mohamed Sami Abdel Sadek met on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, with a delegation from Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss strengthening academic and research cooperation with African nations in education, innovation, training, and capacity building. During the meeting, the university highlighted key initiatives, including a French-language medical program for Francophone African students, plans to celebrate Africa Day in May with the launch of an African Alumni Association, and the allocation of 40 scholarships for African students across master’s and PhD programs. Foreign Ministry officials praised Cairo University’s role in supporting Egyptian-African relations and proposed further collaboration through online diplomas, joint academic programs, additional undergraduate scholarships, and training opportunities for African youth.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 03, 2026 11:08 UTC
CIBF nears 6 million visitors, achieving unprecedented record
The Cairo International Book Fair achieved record-breaking attendance figures during its 57th edition, recording approximately 372,145 visitors on Monday, February 2nd, bringing the total number of visitors since its inception to 5,865,458. This edition, set to end on Tuesday, surpassed the previous record set by the fair, which stood at 5,547,970 visitors. Culture Minister Ahmed Fouad Henou confirmed that the closing day of the fair will include the honoring of the winners of the various fair awards, including the Naguib Mahfouz Award, as well as a closing artistic ceremony, a new tradition aimed at enhancing the cultural and artistic dimension of the event. Betting on citizen awareness of the importance of culture and knowledge proved successful, he said, as reflected in the unprecedented turnout and high sales figures for various publications and titles. He emphasized that this large attendance displays how firmly established the Cairo International Book Fair is in the hearts of people.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 03, 2026 09:00 UTC
Warnings raised over sunken cargo ship in Port Said
Concerns have been raised regarding the presence of the sunken cargo ship FENER near the shores of the Port Said Governorate, which sank in mid-January. Though official sources insist that the sunken ship pose no danger, the former director of the Port Said Beaches Department Ehab Shata warned of the ship’s continued presence in the sea near the governorate’s shores. The ship has remained in the sea for approximately 20 days, he noted, causing cavities in the seabed. Due to the sunken ship’s sized, he added that the longer it remains, the greater the erosion it causes, both inland and at the seabed. Shata continued, “With the grounding and presence of this ship, the erosion will increase, and the likelihood of sinking will rise.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 03, 2026 09:00 UTC
Egypt’s Aswan named D-8 Tourist City of the Year for 2026
Aswan has been named the “Tourist City of the Year” for 2026 by the Developing-8 (D-8) Organisation for Economic Cooperation after winning the majority of votes from member states. The Egyptian city secured the title, awarded for the second consecutive year, following a competition against three other nominated cities from Azerbaijan, Iran, and Pakistan. Established in 1997, the D-8 Organisation serves as a framework for cooperation among its members in various sectors, including tourism. According to the nomination file, the award reflects Aswan’s historical and cultural position as well as its status as a tourist destination. Officials expect the designation to increase tourism traffic to Egypt and Aswan from within the D-8 member states.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 02, 2026 19:15 UTC
Egypt places 150 hospitals on high alert for Gaza casualties, mobilises up to 300 ambulances
Egypt has raised the readiness of its healthcare system to receive wounded and ill patients from Gaza, placing 150 hospitals nationwide on high alert and mobilising up to 300 fully equipped ambulances, the Ministry of Health said on Monday. Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar chaired a high-level coordination meeting to oversee preparations for the reception of patients arriving through the Rafah crossing, as cross-border medical evacuations resume. Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said the discussions focused on activating Egypt’s national emergency health services plan and strengthening readiness across healthcare facilities to respond to urgent humanitarian and medical developments. A 24-hour central control room is operating to coordinate efforts, linked to 27 emergency units within health directorates and more than 90 medical points and emergency hospitals nationwide, ensuring swift decision-making and effective coordination. According to the spokesperson, the emergency plan aligns with World Health Organization standards and international humanitarian Sphere benchmarks, exceeding some minimum global indicators and reflecting Egypt’s capacity to respond to large-scale humanitarian crises.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 02, 2026 19:11 UTC
Washington’s Territorial Ambitions Fracture NATO’s Transatlantic Defensive Shield
A toxic cocktail of territorial disputes, disparaging rhetoric, and shifting American priorities has left the alliance’s “Article 5” collective defence guarantee looking increasingly fragile. The central crisis facing NATO today is no longer just about budgets or hardware, but about the erosion of trust. The Greenland Gambit and the Erosion of Article 5The most visible sign of this “transatlantic chill” is the recurring tension over Greenland. Though the Danish territory remains self-governing, the rhetoric surrounding its potential “acquisition” by the United States has struck at the heart of NATO’s sovereign equality principle. Financial Sovereignty and the 5% GDP Defence PivotIn a desperate bid to “Trump-proof” their security, European nations and Canada have radically altered their fiscal trajectories.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 02, 2026 19:06 UTC
NBE arranges EGP 1.42bn syndicated facility for Al Qamzi’s SEAZEN project
The National Bank of Egypt (NBE) has arranged a syndicated financing facility worth EGP 1.42bn for Al Qamzi Developments to finance part of the investment costs for the first and second phases of the SEAZEN project on Egypt’s North Coast. Under the arrangement, NBE is acting as facility agent, lead arranger, documentation bank, and bookrunner, with a participation of EGP 920m. Bank Al Baraka Egypt is participating as an arranger with a contribution of EGP 500m, underscoring the strength of cooperation between the two banks and their capacity to execute large-scale financing transactions. He added that the company is currently achieving high execution rates at the SEAZEN project, positioning it as one of the most prominent developments on the North Coast. The SEAZEN project spans 204 feddans at kilometre 170 in the Dabaa area on the North Coast, with total investments estimated at around EGP 23bn.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 02, 2026 18:35 UTC
Istanbul Summit: Araghchi and Witkoff Seek Nuclear Thaw After Year of War
In the quiet of a high-security Istanbul venue, diplomatic couriers are laying the groundwork for a meeting that was unthinkable just eight months ago. The Architecture of Mediation and Regional StabilityThe road to Istanbul was paved by regional heavyweights. The Witkoff Pre-Mission: Before arriving in Turkey, Witkoff is expected in Israel on Tuesday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the new military chief, Eyal Zamir. However, the ballistic missile programme remains the “biggest obstacle.” Araghchi has signalled that while Iran might bend on nuclear technicalities, its conventional deterrent remains off the table. The Friday summit in Istanbul represents a fragile bridge over a chasm of mistrust.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 02, 2026 18:35 UTC
Second tax facilitation package boosts support for compliant taxpayers: ETA head
Rasha Abdel Aal, Head of the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA), said the second package of tax facilitation measures—comprising 26 provisions—places strong emphasis on supporting compliant taxpayers, notably by accelerating value-added tax (VAT) refunds, expanding the number of eligible cases, increasing refundable amounts, and simplifying related procedures. She explained that the tangible positive outcomes achieved through the first package of tax facilitations—particularly its direct contribution to higher voluntary compliance rates—provided a strong incentive to introduce a second package to build on this success. She said the initiative aims to present the Tax Authority as a supportive partner to economic activity. She added that the second package also targets support for several key sectors. Abdel Aal stressed that the Egyptian Tax Authority will continue to receive and promptly address issues raised by the tax community.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 02, 2026 18:35 UTC
CBE attracts $1.14bn in bids for dollar-denominated T-bill auction
The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) received bids worth $1.141bn in its latest US dollar-denominated local Treasury bill auction, exceeding the offered amount of $950m, according to data published on the bank’s official website. The 364-day Treasury bills, offered on Monday and maturing on 2 February 2027, drew 26 bids. The CBE accepted 17 bids worth a total of $961m at a yield of 3.5%, while rejecting higher yield requests that reached up to 4.25%. The proceeds from the auction will be used to repay the maturity of a previous dollar-denominated Treasury bill issued on 4 February 2025, under which bids worth $1.061bn were accepted. Subscription to the dollar-denominated Treasury bills is open to local banks and foreign financial institutions, with a minimum investment of $100,000 and multiples thereof.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 02, 2026 18:15 UTC
Egypt hosts IPCC workshop to boost Global South scientists’ role in climate knowledge
Egypt on Monday hosted an introductory workshop for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), underscoring its push to strengthen the role of Global South scientists in producing climate knowledge and informing evidence-based policymaking. The event was attended by Bart Vanden Hurk, co-chair of IPCC Working Group II, UNDP Resident Representative Chitose Noguchi, along with scientists, climate experts and government officials. She stressed that developing countries should play an active role in generating global climate knowledge, rather than remaining passive recipients of externally produced assessments. According to Awad, Egypt’s national adaptation plan prioritises strengthening scientific capacity, advancing climate research and deploying technology, in line with the country’s Climate Change Strategy 2050 and Egypt Vision 2030. Noguchi praised Egypt’s progress on climate adaptation and stressed the importance of aligning policy measures with adequate financing to protect vulnerable sectors.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 02, 2026 18:15 UTC
Electronic licensing platform offers 460 services from 41 government entities: GAFI
The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) has stepped up efforts to promote its Electronic Investment Licensing Platform, describing it as a cornerstone of Egypt’s drive to streamline licensing procedures and improve the investment climate. In a statement, GAFI said the platform represents a qualitative leap in the licensing system, serving as the first unified electronic window that provides 460 services — including licences, approvals and permits required to conduct economic activities in Egypt — issued by 41 government entities through a single digital interface. The authority said the platform helps investors save time and effort, enhances transparency and governance, and reduces reliance on paper-based transactions and traditional procedures. The authority noted that the platform can accelerate licence issuance to no more than 20 working days, provided all required documents are complete. The authority urged investors and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the platform’s electronic services, describing it as a key enabler for starting new projects and expanding existing investments across various sectors.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 02, 2026 18:11 UTC
Serenity launches ‘Serene’ memorial gardens project in Egypt’s New Capital
Serenity for Investment & Real Estate Management has officially launched its operations as Egypt’s first specialised developer focused on the development and management of memorial gardens, unveiling its inaugural project, Serene, in partnership with the Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD). The Serene project will be developed over an initial phase covering 58 feddans and is strategically located along the Suez Road in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. Serene is planned as an integrated memorial gardens destination, featuring a carefully designed master plan and a range of essential services intended to enhance the visitor experience. The project will also feature a specialised administrative entity responsible for preparing burial units and organising visits, reflecting a practical understanding of the needs of Egyptian families. Shamel Aboul Fadl, Chairperson of Serenity, said the project draws inspiration from Egypt’s long-standing traditions of honouring the deceased, reinterpreted through a modern perspective.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 02, 2026 18:05 UTC
Egypt fast-tracks legislation to protect children from harmful online content
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Monday that Egypt is finalising a legislative framework to protect children from harmful social media content, which will include a mandate for digital platforms to maintain local legal representatives to be held accountable for violations. Khalid Abdel Ghafar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, presented the proposed regulatory framework. Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsy cited international benchmarks for the move, including OECD recommendations on protecting children in digital environments and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) principles. She highlighted that international laws prohibit the circulation of content that addresses a child’s “lower instincts” or encourages behaviour contrary to societal values. The meeting concluded with an agreement to form a high-level national committee, comprising all relevant authorities, to draft a comprehensive national regulatory framework for digital platforms within a specified timeframe.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 02, 2026 15:14 UTC
FRA raises microfinance ceiling to EGP 292,000, expands microinsurance coverage
The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has issued Decision No. 1 of 2026, raising the maximum financing limit for microenterprise funding provided by companies, associations, and civil society institutions from EGP 266,000 to EGP 292,000. 2 of 2026, increasing the maximum insurance coverage for microinsurance activities to EGP 390,000, up from about EGP 312,500 previously. The extension aims to give companies sufficient time to comply with capital requirements, supporting stronger financial positions and greater sector resilience. Insurance and reinsurance brokerage companies are required to raise their capital to a minimum of EGP 5m, while risk assessment expertise firms, loss adjusting and damage assessment companies, insurance consultancy expertise firms, and actuarial expertise companies must increase their capital to at least EGP 3m by June 2026.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 02, 2026 15:05 UTC