Egypt's Local Development Minister Reviews Greater Cairo Air Pollution Project with World Bank

On November 10, 2026, Local Development and Environment Minister Manal Awad held a meeting with a World Bank delegation, led by Regional Director for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti Alwaleed Al-Atbani, to review the progress of the Greater Cairo Air Pollution and Climate Change Management Project. The meeting was attended by Environment Affairs Agency Chief Sherif Abdel Rahim, National Project Coordinator Mohamed Hassan, and World Bank officials and environmental experts.

The project aims to reduce air pollution and climate-related emissions in Greater Cairo, with a focus on sustainable and efficient urban transport. As part of the project, 20 new electric buses have been added to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, supported by nearly $7 million in World Bank Group funding. This development marks an important step toward cleaner transport technologies, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

The minister and the delegation also reviewed preparations for operating an integrated waste management facility in 10th of Ramadan City. The facility, covering 1,228 feddans and costing $16 million, is expected to process 15,000 tons of waste daily, equivalent to around 50 percent of the waste generated in Greater Cairo. The facility is set to serve the region for more than 30 years under a public-private partnership.

The integrated waste management facility is expected to have significant environmental and economic benefits, including a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 10 percent decrease in waste-related fires. The project also aims to support local manufacturing industries, promote greater private-sector participation, and create more than 3,500 direct and indirect jobs.

The meeting also addressed plans to close the Abu Zaabal dumpsite and eliminate its accumulated waste. A simulation of the site after closure was presented, highlighting expected reductions in fires in Qalyubia Governorate and greenhouse gas emissions in Greater Cairo. The delegation also reviewed an environmental development plan for the industrial zone in Al-Akrasha, Qalyubia.

The environmental development plan for Al-Akrasha industrial zone includes measures such as establishing a green belt, separating residential and industrial areas, and addressing untreated domestic and industrial wastewater through a proposed drainage system. Additionally, the development of the Amiriyah bus depot to accommodate 100 electric buses is underway, which will be managed through a public-private partnership, creating over 1,100 jobs.

Minister Awad called for accelerating all projects and programs under the initiative, stressing their importance to the government and their direct impact on citizens’ lives. The World Bank delegation reaffirmed its continued cooperation with the ministry to achieve the project’s objectives, monitor performance indicators and implementation rates, and complete the project on schedule.

Key points

• The Greater Cairo Air Pollution and Climate Change Management Project aims to reduce air pollution and climate-related emissions in Greater Cairo.
• The project includes the development of an integrated waste management facility and the introduction of electric buses to the BRT system.
• The project is expected to create over 3,500 direct and indirect jobs and support local manufacturing industries.