Egypt’s Economy Projected to Grow 4% as IMF Reforms Take Hold

A Reuters poll revealed that Egypt’s economy is set to grow by 4% in the fiscal year ending June 2025, with expectations of further acceleration to 4.7% in 2025/26 and 5.0% in 2026/27.

The improvement is attributed to reforms under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

This marks a recovery from 2023/24, when GDP growth dropped to 2.4% from 3.8% the previous year, impacted by a currency crisis and disruptions caused by the conflict in neighbouring Gaza. The war affected key revenue streams like the Suez Canal and tourism.

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In March 2024, Egypt signed an $8 billion financial reform deal with the IMF, following a $24 billion agreement with a UAE sovereign wealth fund to develop a real estate investment project on the Mediterranean coast.

Egypt’s Economy Projected to Grow 4% as IMF Reforms Take Hold
People wait in line to withdraw money from ATMs at Banque Misr in Cairo, Egypt, March 6, 2024. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh/File Photo

Economists remain optimistic. James Swanston of Capital Economics forecasted 5% growth for the current fiscal year, citing benefits from a weaker Egyptian pound, which has boosted export-oriented industries through enhanced global competitiveness.

The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook projects Egypt’s GDP growth at 3.6% this fiscal year and 4.1% in 2025/26.

The World Bank offers similar forecasts, predicting 3.5% growth in 2024 and 4.2% the following year. Egypt’s Ministry of Planning has set its target of 4% growth for 2024/25.

Last week, the IMF announced a staff-level agreement on the Fourth Review of the Extended Fund Facility for Egypt. This agreement could result in the disbursement of a $1.2 billion tranche in January, as confirmed by Egyptian Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk.

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