France, EU sign €61.5 mln financing agreements to develop Egypt’s Yellow River Water Treatment Plant

Minister of International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat and the French Development Agency (FDA) have signed a 50 million euro developmental financing agreement and a 1.5 million euro grant.

Moreover, Al-Mashat has signed a 10 million euro grant agreement with the European Union, bringing the total funding to 61.5 million euros.

Egypt will direct this support to the project’s third phase to enhance wastewater treatment capabilities for Cairo's growing population.

This third phase, expected to serve a 17.5 million population by 2040, will provide wastewater collection and treatment services, according to a statement by the ministry.

The project is expected to be one of the largest water treatment plants in Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa.

The treated water will be utilized for agricultural irrigation, supporting climate change adaptation efforts, and diversifying water resources, read the statement.

The project also embraces circular economy principles by converting treatment sludge into biogas, a renewable energy source that will power up to 80 percent of the plant's electricity needs, and reducing carbon emissions associated with traditional electricity sources, the statement added.

The Egyptian government is prioritizing the implementation and expansion of this project, as it recognizes the water sector’s pivotal role in comprehensive development and its impact on other sectors.