logo

Egypt's 'Arab Contractors' awarded major housing contract in Equatorial Guinea

Zawya11-02-2025

Egyptian construction giant 'Arab Contractors' has secured a new contract to undertake housing projects in Equatorial Guinea, as part of the country's national plan to build 100,000 housing units.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Egyptian Minister of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, Sherif El-Sherbiny, and his Equatorial Guinean counterpart, Clemente Ferreiro Villarino, the Minister of State for Public Works and Urban Planning.
El-Sherbiny confirmed that the projects will be executed under the direct supervision of the Egyptian Ministry of Housing. 'Arab Contractors possesses significant capabilities and has carried out a number of distinguished projects in Equatorial Guinea,' the minister said. 'We will place the agreed-upon projects under our direct supervision, and their execution phases will be visited and inspected, just as is currently done with the Tanzanian dam, which is being implemented by the Egyptian-Swedish consortium 'Arab Contractors-Swedish Electric.' We will visit it tomorrow.'
El-Sherbiny added that 'Arab Contractors is working to expand its presence on the African continent to spread development and transfer expertise to our brothers in various countries where it operates.' The company aims to implement the Egyptian government's directives by contributing to infrastructure, housing, and other projects to high standards, creating job opportunities for citizens in those countries, and working alongside their Egyptian counterparts, thereby strengthening relations between Egypt and African nations.
Ahmed El-Assar, Chairperson of Arab Contractors, stated, 'Arab Contractors is present in 29 countries outside Egypt. Equatorial Guinea, in the west of the continent, is one of the most prominent success stories for Arab Contractors in implementing various projects.' He added that the company's projects have created a developing environment, and achieved international standards with the vision of development in Equatorial Guinea.
Arab Contractors – Equatorial Guinea Limited was established in 2003 as an Egyptian-Guinean partnership. Since its inception, the company has gained the trust of the political leadership and the Guinean government due to the quality of its work and its commitment to deadlines. As a result, the company has been awarded three presidential medals from Equatorial Guinea in 2008, 2012, and 2015. Arab Contractors has become one of the most prominent examples of the distinguished relationship between Egypt and Equatorial Guinea.
The company's total work volume since its establishment up to 2024 has reached approximately €1.5bn.
El-Assar pointed out that since its establishment, the company has implemented numerous projects, including:
The Nguema – Copoe Road
A road to reach the summit of Mount Pico, including the construction of a church and associated accommodation
The construction of 1,000 housing units in Fish Town, along with service buildings, roads, and drainage, water, and electricity networks
The main Sipopo Road
A meeting hall and a corniche overlooking the ocean, plus a helicopter landing pad
The construction of a drinking water treatment plant in Malabo, including supply and fire extinguishing networks for the city
The construction of two arrival and departure halls at Malabo International Airport
The construction of the King Akaliong Road
The upgrade of the Mitomo-Kojo Road
The construction of a camp in the Bata area
The construction of a sewage treatment plant in Malabo
The Azok-Akasi Road (60km long)
The internal roads of the Simo area (Phase 1: 26km, Phase 2: 11.5km) in Malabo
The construction of 13 buildings in the camp in Malabo
The construction of a camp in Mongomo
The urban development of 9 villages in Malabo and in the continental part of the country
The implementation of a medium-voltage power line
He confirmed that work is currently underway on projects in Malabo, including the internal roads of the Simo area (Phase 2) with a length of 11.5 km, including rainwater drainage. There are also ongoing projects to develop the general site of the Riaba farm area (Phase 5), the general site of the Alegri area (Phase 1), the construction of fences with a length of 650 metres, and the operation and maintenance of the drinking water treatment plant for the city of Malabo with a capacity of 21,000 cubic metres per day.
In the continental region of Equatorial Guinea, Arab Contractors is implementing a number of projects, including the construction of the Azok-Akasi Road (60 km long), the Imbini city road and electricity project (11 km long), the internal roads for the city of Kojo and the city of Kojo2 with a total length of approximately 21 km, and the Andong-Bedu Road.
El-Assar affirmed that Arab Contractors continues to expand its operations in Equatorial Guinea to achieve the vision of sustainable development in Equatorial Guinea and to strengthen bilateral relations in the field of construction and development.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

African MBAs Surge as US Retains Global Appeal
African MBAs Surge as US Retains Global Appeal

Arabian Post

time15 hours ago

  • Arabian Post

African MBAs Surge as US Retains Global Appeal

Applications from African professionals to American MBA programmes are climbing sharply, driven by robust scholarship support, evolving diversity strategies, and a post-pandemic appetite for international career mobility. African candidates are finding new momentum in American business schools thanks to generous funding sources such as the TY Danjuma MBA Scholarship, established in 2011. The fund supports admissions at top‑ranked global institutions, awarding 64 students from nations including Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa as of June 2025. Beyond philanthropy, several US business schools have intensified recruitment of African talent through partnerships with organisations like the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, dedicated to broadening minority representation. Insiders at leading MBA consultancies confirm growing African interest in US programmes. Scott Edinburgh, an established Boston‑based admissions consultant, attributes this surge to the unparalleled career placement and expansive networking opportunities American MBAs provide. Demand is intensifying despite global shifts in immigration policies. ADVERTISEMENT This trend coincides with a broader graduate‑level movement. Data from AACSB‑accredited schools shows master's level international enrolment, including MBA participation, grew by 30 percent from 2018–19 to 2023–24. Notably, Africa recorded a 53 percent rise in enrolment across master's programmes during that period. Admissions surveys indicate talent from Africa is drawn not just by reputational prestige but also by programmes tailored to their ambitions. Institutions are proactively wooing African candidates with targeted initiatives. Several top MBAs have launched diversity recruitment drives, some in alliance with global equity‑focused organisations, while others offer Africa‑specific case studies and entrepreneurial encouragement. The success of applicants from Africa and underrepresented groups in general is being amplified by post‑affirmative action efforts. Certain programmes have posted increases in minority enrollment, with schools such as UC Berkeley Haas and University of Michigan Ross reporting near‑doubling of underrepresented minority intakes. That momentum extends to African aspirants, especially as institutions emphasise real‑world impact of graduates from diverse backgrounds. However, this enthusiasm coincides with challenges. Admission cohorts prefer candidates in their mid‑20s with approximately five years of work experience, and delaying application could hinder competitiveness. African candidates must act swiftly, aligning with Round 1 application cycles, as advised by admissions consultants like Ibonye, an MTN strategist based in Lagos. Still, visa uncertainties and geopolitical tensions persist. For instance, the US State Department has announced stricter scrutiny of Chinese applicants, though African students have yet to face similar restrictions. In response, universities continue reinforcing support structures, offering legal advice, career services, and alumni networks to ensure smooth integration. Funding remains a pivotal factor. Beyond institutional aid, African-focused scholarships such as the TY Danjuma fund—which covers tuition and living expenses for students admitted to Financial Times–ranked top‑10 schools—play a key role. Prospective students are encouraged to demonstrate financial need and secure early confirmation of funding. There is also mounting emphasis on entrepreneurship. Business schools are increasingly incorporating African‑relevant case studies, and some are including incubator programmes aimed at scaling African SMEs. Experts suggest this strengthens curricula and fosters durable global impact. Taken together, the rise of African applications to American MBA programmes signifies a strategic realignment. With strong financial backing, supportive institutional networks, and a bold recruitment drive, these candidates are well‑positioned to enter competitive cohorts. Meanwhile, schools welcome these professionals for their potential to energise diverse learning environments and contribute new perspectives to global leadership. As the 2025–26 admissions cycle unfolds, Africa is not merely keeping pace—it is reshaping the global MBA landscape, leveraging opportunity and ambition in equal measure.

EBRD supports Egypt with first private-to-private electricity contracts
EBRD supports Egypt with first private-to-private electricity contracts

Web Release

timea day ago

  • Web Release

EBRD supports Egypt with first private-to-private electricity contracts

Energy market reform is taking a major step forward in Egypt as the government approves the first bilateral power purchase agreements between private generators and consumers. As part of a pilot of the private-to-private (P2P) rules, developed with technical support from the EBRD to the Egyptian Electric Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency (Egypt ERA) and approved last year, four renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 400 MW have been approved to contract directly with end-consumers of electricity. The four approved projects are: KarmSolar, which will develop a 100 MW solar plant to supply electricity to Suez Steel. AMEA Power, which is building a solar facility of the same size to serve BEFAR Group and the Suez Canal Container Terminal. TAQA PV, which will install 100 MW of hybrid capacity (solar and wind) to power operations at Ezz Steel. Enara, developing a hybrid plant to deliver 100 MW to the El Alamein Silicone Products Company and Helwan Fertilizers. The P2P rules set out the conditions under which generators can use the power grid to sell electricity directly to consumers, a major departure from the existing single-buyer model and a significant step forward in Egypt's efforts to liberalise its electricity market – a goal set out in the 2015 Electricity Law. This approach introduces competition into the electricity sector, expands consumer choice and promotes private investments in renewable energy. It also introduces a path for Egyptian businesses, especially those that are energy-intensive and focused on the export market, to sign agreements directly with renewable energy producers that are increasingly required to prove their low carbon product credentials, for example green hydrogen destined for the European market. Furthermore, given the electricity generation under these contracts will be entirely privately financed, the P2P scheme represents an important route for Egypt to scale up electricity production without the need for government contracts. Mark Davis, the EBRD's managing director for the southern and eastern Mediterranean region, said: 'This milestone shows how the right regulatory framework can unlock private investment and drive the energy transition. By enabling companies to procure green electricity directly from producers, Egypt is opening new opportunities for industry and enhancing its competitiveness. We are proud to have supported EgyptERA in designing this pioneering scheme and will continue working closely as projects move towards implementation.' Dr Mohamed Mousa Omran, the chairman of EgyptERA, said: 'This pilot marks an important step towards a more competitive electricity market in Egypt. By enabling direct agreements between producers and consumers, we are creating space for the private sector to play a greater role in meeting the growing demand for clean energy in Egypt. This is essential for accelerating the deployment of renewables at scale and achieving our long-term energy goals.' The EBRD's technical support is generously funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), a key partner for the Bank in many of its ongoing policy engagements that aim to decarbonise the energy sectors of its countries of operation. This work is being delivered under the EBRD's Renewable Energy Programme, which is currently supporting 16 countries in their development of market-based mechanisms to mobilise private investments. To date, activities under this programme have delivered over 8,500 MW of renewable energy capacity being awarded in 8 countries.

UK to use AI to slash construction planning delays
UK to use AI to slash construction planning delays

Zawya

time2 days ago

  • Zawya

UK to use AI to slash construction planning delays

The UK government will use an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to digitise planning documents, reducing planning delays and helping build 1.5 million homes. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer launched 'Extract', an AI assistant for planning officers and local councils, developed with support from Google, the government said in a press statement. 'With Extract, we are harnessing the power of AI to help planning officers cut red tape, speed up decisions, and unlock the new homes for hard-working people as part of our Plan for Change,' he told the London Tech Week. The AI tool will support the government's efforts to digitise the planning system, building on an estimated £59.4 million per year spent by councils on digital planning and housing software. The move is expected to deliver an estimated £527 million ($711 million) in annual time and cost savings for the public sector. The government will expand the AI tool to handle all planning documents, supporting local authorities by the end of 2026, the statement said. (Writing by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon) (

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store