Egypt builds first integrated waste management city in 10th of Ramadan with World Bank support

EGYPT – Egypt is constructing its first fully integrated waste management city in 10th of Ramadan City, with support from the World Bank.

The development is a flagship component of the “Cairo Greater Air Pollution and Climate Change Management Project,” and represents a key step toward fulfilling the environmental goals outlined in Egypt Vision 2030.

The project’s progress was reviewed during a high-level meeting in the New Administrative Capital, chaired by Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad and Minister of Local Development Manal Awad, alongside senior government officials, technical experts, and representatives from the World Bank.

The meeting emphasized cross-sector coordination and the project’s strategic role in serving Cairo, Qalyubeya, and surrounding urban areas within the East Nile region.

Minister Fouad described the project as a “model city” capable of processing all types of solid waste, including municipal, medical, industrial, and construction waste, for the next 30 years.

She noted that construction is over 65% complete, with infrastructure work reaching 80%. Once operational, the facility will be privately managed under a public-private partnership model, aligning with Egypt’s policy to strengthen private sector involvement in environmental services.

Spanning 1,228 feddans (over 5 million square meters), the waste city is being built according to international best practices and governance standards.

It features dedicated zones, including 212 feddans for municipal waste from Cairo and 106 feddans for Qalyubeya, as well as specialized areas for hazardous and non-hazardous industrial waste.

The facility will be supported by extensive infrastructure, such as internal road networks, perimeter security, water and power systems, and telecommunications connectivity.

Minister Awad hailed the project as “the first of its kind in Egypt and the Middle East,” reflecting both national ambition and regional leadership.

She acknowledged the World Bank’s critical financial and technical contributions and urged continued momentum to meet construction targets.

This project builds on Egypt’s recent efforts to modernise its waste management sector.

In 2022, a pilot mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) plant was launched in Abu Rawash to convert municipal waste into RDF (refuse-derived fuel). In 2023, a major e-waste recycling centre was established in 6th of October City.

These developments underscore Egypt’s commitment to establishing a circular economy, reducing landfill dependency, and enhancing air quality in densely populated areas.

As climate challenges grow, Egypt’s integrated waste city in the 10th of Ramadan stands as a bold example of how targeted investment and global collaboration can transform environmental outcomes in the region.

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