Mining Investment Platform to Launch in Egypt in 2026
The overhaul adds open-door licensing, a one-stop-shop, incentives for start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises, and new geophysical surveys.
A digital portal for mining investment opportunities in Egypt is set to launch in the first half of 2026, enabling investors to view available areas and complete application, licensing and contracting procedures entirely online. The platform will be introduced by the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority as part of broader reforms aimed at modernising Egypt’s mining sector. The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources is also updating the framework governing the offering of mining areas to align with international practices. This includes adopting an open-door licensing system under which mining areas will remain continuously available to qualified investors without competitive bidding, provided they meet technical and financial requirements. A one-stop-shop mechanism is being implemented through the representation of relevant authorities on the Mineral Resources Authority’s board to streamline approvals and reduce administrative hurdles. Additional facilitative measures include incentives targeting start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises, which the ministry views as central to new gold exploration activity. The revised framework also involves offering larger and more suitable mining areas to improve project feasibility, alongside efforts to encourage financial institutions to provide financing solutions for mining investors. To further support investment, work is underway on a nationwide aerial geophysical survey project designed to reduce exploration risk and improve the quality of geological data. The survey will help assess the quantities and types of minerals available in Egypt, including rare minerals, and is expected to support both upstream mining and downstream industrial activities. Mining forms part of the energy sector, one of five priority sectors under Egypt’s new economic plan. The plan targets real GDP growth of 7% by 2030 and the creation of 1.5 million new jobs, with mining positioned as a key contributor to those objectives.
