Egypt fully secured its domestic requirements of natural gas and petroleum products since July, marking a turning point for the country’s energy sector after a period of declining output, according to Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi.
Speaking at a meeting hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Cairo (AmCham), Badawi said Egypt’s energy sector has entered a new phase focused on restoring production momentum and transforming recent challenges into attractive investment opportunities.
“The ministry has succeeded in breaking the cycle of declining production and reaching a state of stability by the end of 2025,” Badawi said, adding that the government has set ambitious targets for 2026, including the drilling of 101 exploratory wells to boost oil and gas reserves and sustain output levels.
Badawi emphasized that the needs of the domestic market across all sectors have been fully met since July, underscoring what he described as a renewed balance between supply and demand.
The minister stressed that partnerships with the private sector are a cornerstone of Egypt’s energy growth strategy, highlighting the regular settlement of dues owed to foreign partners and the introduction of a flexible package of investment incentives aimed at accelerating exploration and development activities.
He also outlined the key pillars of Egypt’s strategy to position itself as a regional gas hub, centered on strengthening regional connectivity, particularly with Cyprus, and expanding infrastructure to enhance supply flexibility.
Among the most critical components of that strategy is the deployment of gas regasification units with a combined capacity of 2.75 billion cubic feet per day, which Badawi described as a strategic safeguard to ensure uninterrupted natural gas supplies under varying market conditions.
Looking ahead, Badawi detailed plans to upgrade Egypt’s oil refining sector between 2026 and 2030, with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency in petroleum products and reducing reliance on imports.
Key projects include the expansion of the MIDOR refinery, which will raise capacity to 160,000 barrels per day, and the ANOPC diesel complex in Assiut, both seen as critical to meeting domestic fuel demand.
The minister also highlighted Egypt’s growing push into green energy, citing flagship projects in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and green ammonia, developed in cooperation with Egypt’s fertilizer producer MOPCO and Norway’s Scatec.
Beyond oil and gas, Badawi said Egypt is moving to unlock the potential of its mining sector to raise its contribution to gross domestic product. The strategy leverages Egypt’s geological advantages, particularly the mineral-rich Arabian-Nubian Shield, alongside a modern infrastructure network that includes specialized mining ports and an extensive road system
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