Egypt Unlocks Red Sea Land for $18B Mega Project & Sukuk Financing


Egypt has once again made global headlines with its strategic use of Red Sea coastal land — balancing sovereign financing and mega-development projects.


✅ Sovereign Sukuk & Land Allocation

Recently, the government allocated 174 million square meters in the Red Sea Governorate to the Ministry of Finance. This land isn’t being sold outright but is used as collateral for issuing sukuk (Islamic bonds). The move underscores Egypt’s creative approach to securing funds while keeping ownership intact.


✅ $18 Billion Mega Project – Marassi Red Sea

On the investment side, Egypt signed a landmark agreement with UAE’s Emaar Misr and Saudi’s City Stars / Golden Coast to develop 10.2 million square meters of prime Red Sea land. This $18 billion project will include luxury resorts, marinas, and tourism infrastructure — positioning the Red Sea as a world-class destination.


👷 Impact on Employment

The Red Sea initiatives are not just about land and finance — they are about people:

✅Construction Boom 🏗️: Thousands of jobs in engineering, architecture, and skilled trades during the build phase.

✅Tourism & Hospitality 🏨: Hotels, resorts, restaurants, and marinas will demand trained staff, creating sustainable employment opportunities.

✅Services & Logistics 🚢: Transport, retail, healthcare, and local businesses will thrive to support the new communities.

✅Upskilling the Workforce 🎓: Partnerships with training institutes and vocational programs will ensure locals benefit from the new demand.


In short, these projects can transform the Red Sea region into an employment hub, attracting both domestic workers and skilled professionals from abroad.



Egypt isn’t just selling land — it’s leveraging geography, finance, and partnerships to create a sustainable economic future. By combining Islamic finance tools with Gulf-driven investments, Egypt is reinforcing its role as a gateway between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.


💡 What do you think?

Will the Red Sea become the next Dubai-style tourism hub, or will Egypt carve its own unique identity on the global map?