5 key highlights from Macron’s visit to Egypt

Historic green energy deal leads €7 billion investment push

French President Emmanuel Macron’s three-day visit to Egypt has not only reinforced diplomatic ties between Cairo and Paris but has also ushered in a wave of high-impact agreements and investment projects, chief among them a landmark €7 billion green hydrogen deal.

Signed during Macron’s visit, the agreement brings together the Red Sea Ports Authority, Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority, and the Green Fuel Alliance — a consortium between France’s EDF Renewables and the Egyptian-Emirati firm Zero Waste — to develop an expansive green hydrogen and ammonia production complex near Ras Shokair.

The project will span three phases, beginning in 2029, and aims to produce up to one million tons of green ammonia annually. Uniquely, it is entirely funded and operated by the private sector, requiring no infrastructure or financial obligations from the Egyptian state.

Egypt and France elevate ties to strategic partnership

A key outcome of Macron’s visit was the formal elevation of Egypt-France relations to a strategic partnership — a move sealed in a joint declaration signed by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and President Macron at Cairo’s Ittihadiya Palace.

The declaration reflects a shared commitment to advancing cooperation across sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, defense, and clean energy. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of multiple agreements and memorandums of understanding, laying the groundwork for joint projects in healthcare, urban transport, and education, including plans for 100 new Francophone schools.

Green hydrogen pact positions Egypt as clean energy leader

The €7 billion hydrogen deal is a bold step toward Egypt’s goal of becoming a regional hub for clean fuel production. It will rely entirely on wind and solar energy generated across 368 square kilometers of allocated land, with the first phase alone requiring €2 billion in direct private investment.

In addition to producing 300,000 tons of green ammonia in its first phase, the project includes building a seawater desalination plant, a 7-km power transmission corridor, and a 400-meter deep-sea loading dock — all managed and funded by the consortium.

Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir emphasized that the initiative will generate revenue for the state through land use, export fees, service charges, and licensing, all paid in hard currency. It will also create thousands of jobs and gradually train local labor to handle 95 percent of the operational workforce.

Business forum reveals over €7 billion in French investment

During the Egyptian-French Business Forum in Cairo, Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) revealed that French investments in Egypt have now exceeded €7 billion, spanning sectors such as energy, infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

With more than 180 French companies active in the Egyptian market, the partnership has created over 50,000 jobs. Macron’s visit helped push the economic dialogue forward, with both sides committing to a shared vision for sustainable development, innovation, and deeper economic integration.

GAFI Chairman Hossam Heiba highlighted Egypt’s drive to attract $60 billion in foreign direct investment by 2030, backed by policy reforms, private-sector-focused initiatives, and investor-friendly legislation like the golden license system for major projects.

A new era of cooperation driven by climate goals

More than a diplomatic photo op, Macron’s visit reflects a deeper realignment toward climate-conscious cooperation. The hydrogen agreement supports Egypt’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and COP27, where the country pledged to scale up renewable energy use and cut carbon emissions.

Egyptian officials say the project aligns with global trends in clean energy transition while attracting long-term foreign capital without state liabilities. As countries compete to lead the green economy, Egypt’s deal with France sets a precedent for how strategic, privately financed partnerships can advance national goals while benefiting international allies.

Macron’s visit — backed by concrete projects, investment frameworks, and bold climate ambitions — signals a broader shift in the Egypt-France relationship, transforming it from traditional cooperation to a forward-looking alliance rooted in mutual prosperity, innovation, and shared global responsibilities.