Egypt unveils plan for new desert city in latest megaproject

Egypt on Sunday, June 1, announced plans for a massive new city named Jirian, set to rise from the desert west of Cairo, where a man-made branch of the River Nile will eventually flow through a sprawling urban landscape. The development is a key part of Egypt’s wider Nile Delta initiative, which aims to reclaim 2.5 million acres of land for agriculture and address the country’s food security challenges.

The Jirian project forms the urban core of this agricultural expansion, which began in 2021 with the goal of increasing production of essential crops such as wheat and corn, while also cutting reliance on food imports. Officials say the development will generate around 250,000 jobs and provide housing for up to 3 million families.

Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli described the project as “an urban and development revolution” during the launch event on Sunday, stating that the new city would serve as the heart of a development zone equivalent in size to four to five of Egypt’s governorates. The project will incorporate industrial zones, logistics hubs, educational and healthcare institutions, as well as high-end residential areas.

Developers revealed that the planned artificial Nile channel will stretch across Jirian’s 1,680-acre layout, occupying about a fifth of the area. It will serve both as an irrigation source and a visual centrepiece, enhancing the appeal of the city. The area will also feature 80-storey skyscrapers, an eco-friendly hotel, international universities, commercial spaces, and a cultural and media district.

Jirian’s location places it near several major landmarks, including the soon-to-be-opened Grand Egyptian Museum, the Giza Pyramids, and the Sphinx International Airport.

Construction of the city began five months ago and is expected to be completed within five years. The project is being executed in partnership with three major Egyptian real estate firms, though the government has not disclosed the total cost.

The announcement comes as Egypt grapples with significant financial and environmental pressures. The country’s foreign debt has quadrupled since 2015, reaching $155.2 billion by the end of 2024. It has also received extensive financial support from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union.

Meanwhile, Egypt remains engaged in a protracted dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Cairo fears may impact its vital Nile water supply. With 97 percent of its fresh water sourced from the Nile, the development of projects like Jirian reflects Cairo’s ongoing efforts to ensure water and food security amid rising geopolitical and economic challenges.