Ahmed El-Sayed, Chairman of Golden View Urban Development, affirmed that the Egyptian real estate market stands today at a genuine opportunity to transform from a strong local market into an exportable investment product. This comes in light of geopolitical and economic transformations that have reshaped investors' priorities, where elements of security, stability, and clarity are now as important as investment returns.
El-Sayed explained that global capital is no longer solely seeking returns but is looking for markets that can protect investments and adapt to changes. He pointed out that Egypt possesses strong components to attract real estate investments, thanks to its strategic location, the vastness of its local market, urban expansion, developed infrastructure, and the growth of tourism, services, and financial technology sectors.
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El-Sayed added that real estate development in Egypt is no longer just an activity based on construction and sales; it has become an integrated industry linked to dozens of sectors, from contracting and building materials to financing, operation, management, and technology. He confirmed that the real estate sector contributes approximately 20% to the Gross Domestic Product, reflecting its pivotal role in supporting the national economy.
He indicated that the file of exporting Egyptian real estate should not remain confined to external exhibitions or traditional marketing campaigns but should be treated as a comprehensive economic file. He clarified that Egypt has a massive real estate portfolio, including state and private sector projects estimated at around 200 billion dollars that are marketable abroad, representing a significant opportunity to transform into added economic value when presenting real estate products in a more organized and clear manner supported by technology and data.
Background & Context
El-Sayed emphasized that technology has become the most important gateway for exporting Egyptian real estate, as it provides investors with confidence through digital platforms, organized databases, electronic payment solutions, and real estate technology applications (PropTech). He explained that the role of technology is no longer limited to digital marketing but has become part of the real estate project structure itself, through applications of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, smart homes, and energy management systems.
He noted that the expansion of financial inclusion in Egypt supports this trend, with financial inclusion rates expected to reach 77.6% by the end of 2025, equivalent to 54.7 million citizens with active financial accounts. This opens the door to more advanced models in booking, payment, and financing.
Impact & Consequences
El-Sayed pointed out that the tourism sector represents a major driver of real estate demand in the upcoming phase, with Egypt expected to receive around 19 million tourists in 2025, targeting an annual influx of 30 million tourists. This enhances the demand for hotels, hotel units, flexible accommodations, and mixed-use projects.
Regarding Golden View's projects, El-Sayed explained that the company has embraced this transformation through the Golden Hub and TO-GTHER projects. Golden Hub is positioned as the largest commercial and medical administrative complex in South Academy, while TO-GTHER offers a model for managed income-generating real estate assets.
Regional Significance
These transformations in the Egyptian real estate market serve as a model for the Arab region, potentially inspiring other countries to better utilize their real estate resources. Additionally, collaboration between the public and private sectors in developing real estate projects can enhance economic stability in the region.
El-Sayed concluded his statements by saying, “Real estate development will remain a locomotive for development, but technology will determine this locomotive's ability to reach new markets. The future of Egyptian real estate is to shift from a unit for sale to a managed asset, and from a local project to an exportable investment product.”