In an exclusive interview at African Mining Week (AMW) 2026, Reda Mohamed Selim, Chairman of Al-Wadi Al-Jadid Company for Mineral Resources and Oil Shale, discussed the country's mining investment priorities, its estimated 2.8 billion tons of phosphate reserves and opportunities to strengthen mineral beneficiation and regional industrial cooperation.

What progress has Egypt made since launching the Open Blocks System in June 2026?

The launch of the Open Blocks System in June 2026 marks a strategic shift toward modernizing Egypt’s mining sector and scaling its contribution to national GDP. Designed to streamline market entry and enhance operational transparency for both domestic and international operators, the framework has already attracted 30 investors. This initial momentum reflects growing market confidence in Egypt’s mineral potential and institutional reforms.

Which downstream projects are central to Egypt's mining strategy, and what developments can investors expect over the next 12-24 months?

The Ministry’s roadmap centers on moving beyond raw resource extraction to capture higher margins along the domestic value chain through targeted downstream processing. A flagship initiative within this strategy is the development of a commercial-scale phosphate fertilizer complex, for which a partnership and construction agreement has already been executed with Elsewedy Capital Holding for Investments. Over the next 12 to 24 months, industry stakeholders can expect further progress milestones on this facility alongside additional value-add project announcements across critical mineral processing.

What were Egypt’s key messages at AMW 2026?

Egypt emphasized the imperative of cross-border African cooperation to unlock the full commercial and industrial value of the continent’s mineral wealth. The central takeaway focused on shifting from regional resource competition to integrated partnerships that anchor processing and industrial capacity within Africa. We are committed to deepening cooperation across Africa to maximize the shared value of our mineral endowments.