President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended a panel discussion session titled “Egypt’s Energy Journey: National Achievements and Future Prospects” on Thursday, on the fourth day of Egypt Forum 2026.
The session was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Esmat, and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi along with Energy experts and industry representatives.
Presidency Spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy said the session reviewed progress in the energy sector in recent years, including boosting the national electricity transmission network to accommodate renewable energy generation and support development projects.
Efforts to reinforce electricity distribution networks were also discussed.
The session highlighted Egypt’s success in halting the decline in natural gas production, restoring growth, meeting the needs of different sectors and expanding the capacity to receive liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Participants also discussed challenges facing the sector, including regional and international geopolitical tensions and disruptions in supply chains, as well as government measures to limit their impact.
A video featuring citizens’ views and proposals on Egypt’s energy sector was also screened during the session.
Addressing the session, President Sisi said the forum aimed to explain the facts to citizens, including the challenges facing the country’s energy sector, while ensuring a continuous energy supply despite difficult circumstances.
He said Egypt began planning in 2014 to address the energy crisis that took place in 2012 and 2013. The main challenge was securing the necessary funding. The government therefore planned to build an integrated energy infrastructure that would also rely on new and renewable energy sources.
President Sisi stressed that building power plants requires significant resources, whether they use fossil fuels or renewable energy. The costs also include electricity distribution networks and control stations, not to mention the challenges arising from the international geopolitical situation.
Addressing rising energy prices, the president said the state bears the largest chunk of the actual cost of energy, particularly amid rising global prices.
He stressed the importance of raising public awareness of challenges facing the sector, noting that competitive bidding for energy projects can take five to seven years to produce results.
The president added that limited state resources sometimes require borrowing to ensure the continued provision of energy services to households and industry.
He called on Egyptians to support their country and continue working and producing to overcome these challenges.
The president also stressed the importance of continued cooperation with the private sector to develop the energy industry.
He noted that Egypt had settled all outstanding dues to foreign partners in June 2026.
Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said government support across various sectors amounted to LE840 billion in the current fiscal year. The actual total reaches approximately LE 1 trillion, with the inclusion of related loan expenses, which add around 20 per cent.
