Egypt’s Ministry of Health is in advanced discussions with Chinese financial institutions to secure a $1 billion loan to finance the construction of a large-scale medical city in the New Administrative Capital, according to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Asharq on condition of anonymity.
The project will be led by the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), one of the world’s largest construction firms and a key player in Egypt’s infrastructure transformation. The planned medical complex will span 230 feddans (approximately 96.6 hectares) and will be executed under a turn-key agreement with full financing provided by Chinese banks under soft repayment terms, one source confirmed.
Medical Megaproject
The proposed city will include 4,200 hospital beds and 18 specialized medical institutes, positioning it as one of the largest healthcare hubs in the region. A memorandum of understanding was signed between Egypt’s Ministry of Health and CSCEC in August 2024, laying the foundation for the partnership.
The project is part of Egypt’s broader strategy to develop high-quality, centralized healthcare services and reduce dependence on foreign medical travel. The medical city is expected to offer advanced diagnostics, research capabilities, and comprehensive treatment facilities, aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030 for health sector reform.
Located approximately 45 kilometers east of Cairo, the New Administrative Capital spans 170,000 feddans and is being developed as a modern urban hub expected to house 6.5 million residents and generate 2 million jobs. The estimated cost of Phase 1 alone is $45 billion, according to Egypt’s State Information Service.
CSCEC’s Expanding Footprint in Egypt
The medical city adds to CSCEC’s growing portfolio in Egypt, which already includes the Central Business District in the New Administrative Capital—a $3.8 billion development featuring 20 high-rise towers, including the tallest skyscraper in Africa. CSCEC is also building the Downtown Towers in the North Coast city of New Alamein, with five mixed-use towers currently under development.
