On Friday, September 11, 2026, Egypt's Minister of Aviation, Samah Al-Hefni, met with Ari Na'im, the regional director of IFC for North Africa and the Horn of Africa, Saad Sabra, the country manager of IFC in Egypt, and Mohamed Mahani, an IFC infrastructure projects specialist. This meeting took place on the sidelines of the 2026 International Aviation and Space Exhibition EIAS in the city of El Alamein, located in northwestern Egypt.
Reviewing New Trends at Sharm El Sheikh Airport
The purpose of this meeting was to review the latest developments in the bidding process for the management, operation, and development of Sharm El Sheikh International Airport under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. The Minister of Aviation emphasized that this project aligns with the Egyptian government's directives to continue the development of the aviation sector and improve services provided to passengers.
He also referred to the role of IFC in providing technical and advisory support for this project and appreciated the international experience of this institution in preparing and implementing public-private partnership projects.
Ongoing Cooperation with IFC
Na'im also emphasized IFC's commitment to continue collaborating with Egypt's Ministry of Aviation and supporting the project in the upcoming stages. He promised that he would assist in completing the bidding process according to international standards.
This project not only helps develop Egypt's aviation infrastructure but can also enhance the travel experience for passengers. Given the importance of Sharm El Sheikh Airport as one of Egypt's main tourist destinations, this project could create a new outlook for the country's tourism industry.
