Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development Ahmed Rostom reviewed the performance of the national economy during the fourth quarter and the FY 2025/26, during the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, on Thursday.
The Egyptian economy grew by 4.7 per cent in the fourth quarter of FY 2025/26, bringing full-year growth to 5.1 per cent – overtaking forecasts by international institutions, Rostom said.
The figures reflected the resilience and sustainability of Egypt’s economic growth despite regional tensions, Rostom stressed.
Gross domestic product (GDP) growth increased from 4.4 per cent in FY 2024/25 to 5.1 per cent in FY 2025/26, driven by improved performance in several sectors, notably manufacturing, the Suez Canal and petroleum refining, Rostom said.
He noted that the Egyptian economy had achieved strong and sustained growth over the past decade, apart from periods marked by global crises.
Reviewing the key fourth-quarter results, Rostom said non-petroleum manufacturing was the largest contributor to GDP growth during the quarter and across the fiscal year.
The telecommunications sector also continued to record strong growth, ranking as the second-fastest-growing sector in the fourth quarter at 24.3 per cent, as well as over the full fiscal year.
The Suez Canal sector, the fastest-growing activity during the fourth quarter, continued its recovery, expanding by 33.8 per cent. It grew by 23.3 per cent over the full fiscal year after contracting in the previous year.
Petroleum refining also recorded strong growth of 22.4 per cent in the fourth quarter and 8.7 per cent for the full fiscalyear, following a contraction the previous year.
The extractive industries also recorded an unprecedented turnaround, returning to positive growth for the first time since the second quarter of FY 2022/23, amid improved performance in the oil and gas sectors.
Turning to the full-year results, Minister Rostom said manufacturing, trade and telecommunications led economic growth, accounting for 48 per cent of total growth during FY 2025/26.
According to the planning minister, the fiscal year also featured a clear recovery in Suez Canal activity, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors, alongside a rebound in telecommunications and information technology.
Non-petroleum manufacturing maintained strong growth of 9per cent, while petroleum refining returned to positive growth of 8.7 per cent, compared with a 1.9 per cent contraction in the previous fiscal year, amid higher production and refinery maintenance.
The accommodation and food services sector also grew by 6.5per cent in FY 2025/26, maintaining its positive growth trajectory on the back of continued improvements in tourism and demand for related services.
