Egypt’s property sector is cementing its place as one of the Middle East and North Africa’s fastest-rising real estate markets, with $1.4 billion of private capital from global high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) targeting the residential market over the coming year, according to Knight Frank’s Destination Egypt 2025 report.
The influx of capital comes as the country delivers strong supply growth and attracts foreign investors seeking second homes, offices, and branded residences. Egypt has now become the third-largest construction market in the region, trailing only Saudi Arabia and the UAE, supported by more than $120 billion in awarded construction contracts and a pipeline worth $565.5 billion.
“Egypt’s metamorphosis into a regional real estate development powerhouse is well underway,” said Faisal Durrani, Partner – Head of Research, MENA at Knight Frank.
“Since our 2023 report, foreign direct investment has accelerated, particularly from GCC sovereign wealth funds, which are fueling the emergence of one of the region’s most exciting property markets.”
Residential momentum builds
Knight Frank’s survey, conducted with YouGov across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Germany, the UK, and the US, revealed that 244,000 homes are currently for sale across 155 projects in Greater Cairo. Developers are racing to meet demand, with 30,830 homes set for delivery in 2025, a 29% increase compared to 24,000 units in 2024.
Price growth has been particularly sharp in some submarkets. In Cairo’s El Sheikh Zayed, home values surged 24.7% since January 2024, reaching US$1,964 per square metre. Villas in New Cairo are now selling for an average of EGP 159,000 psm, while branded projects such as VYE SODIC in New Zayed command EGP 107,000 psm.
“Near-term supply constraints could put upward pressure on prices in the medium term,” explained Zeinab Adel, Partner – Head of Egypt at Knight Frank. She added that while just eight projects per year are expected to complete in 2026 and 2027, more than 100 are slated for 2028 and 2029.
Who is investing?
The survey, which polled 264 HNWI with an average wealth of $9.7 million, identified Emirati investors as the most active buyers, targeting around $709 million in residential acquisitions. They are followed by Saudi investors and German investors.
HNWI investment appetite is wide-ranging. Around 23.7% plan to spend less than $1 million, while 18.6% are prepared to commit between $30 million and $50 million, often as part of broader portfolio-building strategies.
Interestingly, 51% of GCC HNWI are seeking holiday homes in Egypt, underlining the country’s growing appeal as a leisure and lifestyle destination. Statista projects that by the end of 2025, Egypt’s holiday home market will generate US$1.09 billion in revenue, with annual growth of over 7% expected through 2030.
Offices and mega projects gain traction
The office sector is also surging, with Cairo’s stock set to expand by 82% by 2030. Currently, the city has 1 million sqm of office space, with 818,000 sqm due for delivery in the next five years.
New Cairo is the clear front-runner, boasting 1.33 million sqm of current and future stock and commanding average sale prices of EGP 274,000 psm. Premium office space in the district is reaching as high as EGP 466,000 psm, according to Knight Frank.
“An increasing number of multinationals are choosing Egypt as their base for regional operations,” Adel said, pointing to operational costs that are 50–60% lower than Western Europe and North America. This trend is driving demand for grade-A offices in New Cairo, El Sheikh Zayed, and the New Administrative Capital (NAC).
Egypt’s giga projects remain a major draw. The survey found that 99% of GCC HNWI intend to invest in one, with the NAC topping the list: 56% of Saudi and 34% of Emirati respondents identified it as their first-choice investment destination. The North Coast (28%) and Central Cairo (26%) also ranked highly.
A market in transformation
With strong foreign interest, ambitious supply pipelines, and government-backed mega projects, Egypt is rapidly repositioning itself as a regional magnet for private capital.
Knight Frank’s Durrani summed it up: “From securing $35 billion in funding for the vast North Coast super-city to achieving record tourism milestones, Egypt is powering ahead with its economic development agenda. Real estate is at the heart of this transformation, and investors are responding.”