By: Zawya

Egypt is implementing an ambitious strategy to modernize its mining sector, aiming to establish itself as a leading regional hub. Through major legislative reforms and targeted incentives, the government is working to attract investment and scale up exploration nationwide. The sector's economic contribution is growing, with its share of GDP rising from 1% to 2% over the past five years, equivalent to EGP 335.56 billion in FY 2024/25.

Key initiatives driving this growth include a new Digital Mining Platform to streamline licensing and increase transparency, alongside updated exploration agreements designed to be more attractive to international investors. The country’s diverse mineral wealth—spanning gold, copper, iron ore, and rare earth elements—provides a strong foundation. This potential is reflected in rising export values, with precious metal exports surging 75.4% year-on-year to reach $3.26 billion in 2024.

While the number of operating mines has increased modestly to 367, signaling growing investor confidence, public investment in the sector remains a small fraction of the national total. The government has set a target for mining to contribute 5% of GDP by 2030, supported by continued reforms and expanded exploration activities, including the nation's largest airborne geophysical survey.