Expansion in renewable energy cannot be completed without enhancing private sector participation, Egyptian Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib said, emphasising that structural reforms are empowering investors to enter strategic projects.
Speaking during a panel discussion in Saudi Arabia, El-Khatib stated that Egypt is currently working to raise the level of private sector involvement in energy production and associated industries to support economic growth and sustainable development.
The development of data centres and artificial intelligence represents a joint strategic direction for Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the minister said, noting that these sectors rely directly on energy as a primary component for operation and growth.
El-Khatib added that ongoing economic transformations in both nations provide a significant foundation for building wider investment partnerships. He said the two countries aim to present a globally competitive regional model through policies that attract capital and utilise renewable energy to build a low-carbon economy.
Strategies currently being implemented aim to achieve a sustainable, long-term balance in the energy sector, the minister said. He noted that recently announced deals reflect the seriousness of current trends and the region’s ability to attract additional capital.
El-Khatib concluded that Egypt’s structural reforms are designed to build industrial capabilities based on clean energy and AI, reinforcing the country’s position as a regional hub for energy, manufacturing, and logistics.
The panel, titled “Sustainable Investment Opportunity”, also included Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, Vision Invest Africa Advisory Board Chair Amadou Hott, EIG Partners MENA Chairperson Abdulaziz Al-Gudaimi, and ACWA Power CEO Marco Arcelli.
