Egypt’s Minister of Local Development and Environment, Manal Awad, chaired two high-level meetings this week to accelerate the digital overhaul of environmental services, including the modernization of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system and the rollout of electronic ticketing for nature reserves.
The sessions, held at the ministry’s headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, brought together senior officials from the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, digital transformation units and legal advisers to review implementation timelines and operational adjustments.
Fast-Tracking the Digital EIA Platform
Central to the discussions was the development and digitization of the Environmental Impact Assessment system, known as IDEIA. Officials reviewed data entered into the platform since January 2026, including the number of submitted studies, approvals granted and cases requiring additional documentation.
Awad directed that the system incorporate clearer tracking mechanisms for submitted studies and ensure that incomplete applications cannot be accepted digitally without all required documents. Each study, she said, must be registered with a unique code to enhance transparency and accountability.
She also instructed technical review committees to expedite environmental assessments, setting a target of issuing approvals within 20 days of receiving complete documentation and payment of required fees — a move aimed at addressing investor concerns over delays.
The minister emphasized coordination with the platform’s implementing company to finalize required technical updates within one week, alongside efforts to migrate legacy environmental studies onto the new system.
Supporting Investors Through Streamlined Approvals
According to Awad, the digital reforms will resolve bottlenecks that have historically delayed environmental clearances for projects. By centralizing data management and enabling real-time tracking, the ministry aims to improve procedural transparency and ensure compliance with Egypt’s environmental law and its executive regulations.
Officials say the integrated system will provide faster data retrieval, standardized workflows and clearer communication between government entities, investors and consulting offices — aligning environmental governance with Egypt’s broader digital transformation strategy.
Expanding E-Services for Nature Reserves
In a separate meeting, Awad reviewed progress on an electronic booking and permit system for Egypt’s protected areas. The platform will enable visitors to purchase entry tickets and obtain activity permits online, part of a wider push to expand electronic payment services across public institutions.
The minister also directed that all nature reserves under the ministry’s jurisdiction be fully listed on the website, with detailed information about their locations, services and available activities. She also called for highlighting reserves included on UNESCO lists to strengthen promotional efforts.
In this regard, Awad stressed the importance of preventing booking errors, clarifying the process for obtaining e-tickets and ensuring regular maintenance through a specialized technology firm.
Toward Unified Digital Governance
The dual initiatives reflect the ministry’s broader commitment to mechanizing and digitizing citizen services through unified, automated platforms. By integrating environmental approvals and eco-tourism services into streamlined digital systems, officials aim to reduce administrative friction, protect natural resources and enhance user experience.
The reforms come as Egypt continues expanding e-government services nationwide, positioning digital transformation as a key driver of administrative efficiency and sustainable development.
