Egypt to Impose Early Closing Hours for Shops, Restaurants to Cut Energy Use

Egypt’s government unveiled a set of temporary measures aimed at curbing energy consumption, including earlier closing hours for shops and cafés and the potential introduction of remote work policies across key sectors.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced on Wednesday that retail outlets and cafés will be required to close at 9:00 p.m. daily for a one-month period starting March 28. The only exception will be on Thursdays and Fridays, when businesses will be permitted to operate until 10:00 p.m.

The decision comes as part of a broader government effort to rationalize energy usage amid mounting economic pressures. Officials say the move is intended to ease strain on the national grid while limiting the need for more disruptive economic interventions.

In addition to the new closing regulations, the government is actively studying the possibility of implementing remote work for one or two days per week in both the public and private sectors. However, critical industries, including manufacturing and essential infrastructure services such as water utilities, would be exempt from the policy.

Madbouly emphasized that the shift toward remote work is being considered as a practical tool to reduce overall energy consumption. He cautioned that failing to adopt such measures could leave the government with fewer options, including the potential need to raise energy prices, an outcome that could trigger inflationary pressures.

The proposed policies reflect a balancing act between managing resource constraints and maintaining economic stability. While the measures are temporary, their impact on business activity and daily life is expected to be closely monitored, particularly as Egypt navigates ongoing economic challenges and seeks to contain costs without dampening growth.