Egypt’s Official Gazette published Presidential Decree No. 199 of 2026, issued by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, approving a $1.2 million grant agreement between the Egyptian government and the European Investment Bank.

The grant will finance consultancy services to strengthen the capacity of wastewater treatment plants in Alexandria and Damietta. The agreement remains subject to ratification.

The House of Representatives approved the agreement during its session on June 23, 2026, while President El-Sisi ratified it on June 29, 2026.

The grant will finance consultancy services and studies for upgrading the Hanoville wastewater treatment plant in Alexandria and the Zarqa and Kafr El-Batikh plants in Damietta. The planned upgrades aim to enhance operational efficiency, expand treatment capacity, and introduce advanced treatment standards, including tertiary treatment.

The agreement also covers studies assessing the potential reuse of treated wastewater and the use of sludge and biogas generated during treatment processes for energy production. These measures support Egypt’s green economy objectives by maximizing resource efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of wastewater treatment.

The project is expected to help curb pollution in Mediterranean coastal areas by modernizing treatment systems and improving the quality of treated water. It will also support efforts to preserve water resources, strengthen environmental and water security, and improve public health in the targeted governorates.

The studies will evaluate the technical condition of the treatment plants and their connected sewerage networks, identify future requirements through 2050, and prepare economic, environmental, and social feasibility assessments. They will also establish phased investment plans for upgrading and expanding the facilities.