Egypt and China have signed a feasibility study report outlining the proposed development and renovation of the Cairo International Convention Centre, as announced by Egypt's Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade on Monday. The project is a collaborative effort between the Chinese government agency China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), the investment ministry, and the Egyptian Expo and Convention Authority (EECA).
The Chinese agency commissioned a team from the Guizhou Provincial Architectural Design and Research Institute to conduct the feasibility study between 31 May and 14 June 2026. The team assessed the centre’s development and renovation needs. The centre spans around 185,000 square metres, with a total building area of about 58,000 square metres allocated for redevelopment and refurbishment.
The development will draw on China’s technical expertise and add to the infrastructure of Egypt’s exhibitions and conferences sector, according to Investment Minister Mohamed Farid, who attended the signing. The project aims to enhance the convention centre’s capacity and efficiency in hosting international events, conferences, and exhibitions, helping establish Egypt as a regional hub for such events.
The development will upgrade the centre’s infrastructure and modernize its conference halls, engineering, and technical systems. It will also replace 25 elevators and develop open exhibition spaces, green areas, and public amenities. This will, in turn, enhance the Egyptian exhibition industry’s role in promoting local investment and trade opportunities and improve communication with the business community and investors from diverse markets.
The project aligns with the Egyptian government’s strategy to strengthen infrastructure while supporting trade and investment. Egypt is currently targeting an increase in its investment-to-GDP ratio from 17 percent in its 2026/2027 budget, with total investments projected to reach EGP 3.7 trillion. China is considered one of Egypt’s largest trading partners and a major source of foreign direct investment (FDI).
The Chinese side will also assist with design, execution, and installation and provide technical support for two years following the project's completion. This will include training, experts, technical supplies, and spare parts. Egypt has also been working to widen access for its products in the world’s second-largest economy by signing export contracts with Chinese buyers.
Egypt and China are working to enhance their partnership, with China expanding its operations in the region across several sectors, including industrial and automotive manufacturing, technology, economic cooperation, agriculture, seawater desalination, and critical minerals supply-chain cooperation. The renovation project is expected to boost Egypt's position as a regional hub for international events and conferences.
Key points
- Egypt and China have signed a feasibility study report for the proposed development and renovation of the Cairo International Convention Centre.
- The project aims to enhance the convention centre’s capacity and efficiency in hosting international events, conferences, and exhibitions.
- The development will draw on China’s technical expertise and add to the infrastructure of Egypt’s exhibitions and conferences sector.
