Just 45 kilometers east of Cairo, a massive new city is taking shape in the desert—a sprawling “New Administrative Capital” (NAC) equivalent in size to Singapore.
At first glance, this ambitious multi-billion-dollar project seems like a necessary response to Cairo’s overwhelming challenges. The city’s infrastructure is under immense strain, with government ministries and embassies concentrated around Tahrir Square, creating gridlocks that often make navigating the city nearly impossible. Cairo’s 22 million residents are already struggling with overcrowding, and that number is projected to double by 2050.
The NAC appears to be a solution tailored to these problems. Designed to house embassies, government offices, the parliament, 30 ministries, a sprawling presidential compound, and an estimated 6.5 million residents, the city aims to alleviate Cairo’s administrative and residential burden. It also promises a more sustainable and greener environment, allocating 15 square meters of green space per resident. The centerpiece will be a “green river,” a blend of waterways and lush greenery, set to be twice the size of New York’s Central Park. These features align with the government’s narrative of tackling pollution and creating a more environmentally friendly future.
But beyond the surface, the project seems to serve more than just the altruistic goal of decongesting Cairo. A closer look, especially at the financial trail, suggests that the NAC might also be driven by other ambitions. While the promise of modernization and sustainability is compelling, the motives behind such a monumental development raise questions about priorities and long-term impacts.
For now, Egypt’s new capital stands as both a bold step toward urban transformation and a subject of debate about the forces shaping its future.
