Egypt to Lift Subsidy on Electricity in 2025

The sun is seen behind high-voltage power lines and electricity pylons at a highway northeast of Cairo, Egypt, March 13, 2019. (Reuters)
The sun is seen behind high-voltage power lines and electricity pylons at a highway northeast of Cairo, Egypt, March 13, 2019. (Reuters)
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Egypt to Lift Subsidy on Electricity in 2025

The sun is seen behind high-voltage power lines and electricity pylons at a highway northeast of Cairo, Egypt, March 13, 2019. (Reuters)
The sun is seen behind high-voltage power lines and electricity pylons at a highway northeast of Cairo, Egypt, March 13, 2019. (Reuters)

Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy announced on Tuesday a new increase in electricity prices ranging between 17 and 26.7 percent based on consumption.

The new prices will be applied on July 1, the first day of the country’s fiscal year 2020-21.

It will raise electricity prices for homes and shops that use up to 250 KWH (kilowatt hour) per month by 4.3 percent.

“Given the current economic conditions resulting from the coronavirus outbreak and to ease the economic burdens on Egyptian citizens, the deadline for the plan to lift subsidies on electricity prices to the domestic sector has been extended to fiscal year 2024-25 instead of 2021-22,” the Ministry announced in a press statement.

The middle and lower classes in Egypt have been suffering during the past five years from a sharp hike in the prices of goods and services since the government liberalized the exchange rate in late 2016.

Over the past few years, army trucks have spread across the country to sell food products at cheap prices, which increased the police and armed forces’ sales outlets, easing hikes.

According to the statement, for those who consume between 0 and 50 KWH, the price will be 38 piasters per kilowatt instead of 30 piasters.

“From 51 to 100 KWH, the price will be 48 piasters per kilowatt instead of 40 piasters, and for consumers of between 100 and 200 KWH, the price per kilowatt will be 65 instead of 50 piasters.”

From 201 to 350 KWH, the price per kilowatt will be 96 instead of 82 piasters, and for consumers from 351 to 650 KWH, the price of kilowatt will be 128 instead of 100 piasters.

While consumers of more than 1,000 KWH, will pay the same amount, which is 145 piasters per kilowatt.

For commercial use, the Ministry decided to fix the price of those who consume up to 100 KWH per month at 65 piasters.

Consumers of up to 1,000 KWH will be charged 155 piasters, and 160 piasters for consumers of more than 1,000KWH.



Saudi Arabia Secures Official Organizer Status for Expo 2030 Riyadh  

Expo 2030 is scheduled to open on October 1, 2030, and run through March 31, 2031.
Expo 2030 is scheduled to open on October 1, 2030, and run through March 31, 2031.
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Saudi Arabia Secures Official Organizer Status for Expo 2030 Riyadh  

Expo 2030 is scheduled to open on October 1, 2030, and run through March 31, 2031.
Expo 2030 is scheduled to open on October 1, 2030, and run through March 31, 2031.

Saudi Arabia took a major step toward hosting Expo 2030 Riyadh after the General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) on Tuesday unanimously approved the Kingdom’s registration file, officially designating it as the event’s organizer.

The decision, made during the BIE’s 176th General Assembly in Issy-les-Moulineaux, just outside Paris, clears the way for the Kingdom to begin full-scale preparations for what is expected to be one of the largest and most ambitious world expos to date.

The endorsement follows Saudi Arabia’s sweeping victory in November 2023, when it won the right to host the global exhibition in the first round of voting, earning two-thirds of the member states’ support. The Kingdom outpaced strong bids from South Korea and Italy.

The official handover of the BIE flag to Ibrahim Al-Sultan, CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, symbolized the Kingdom’s elevation to host status. Al-Sultan was accompanied by Talal Al-Marri, CEO of the Expo 2030 Riyadh Authority, the body charged with executing the event.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to France submitted the Kingdom’s registration file to BIE Secretary-General Dimitri Kerkentzes. The file outlines detailed plans for the event, including opening and closing dates, legislative and financial arrangements, a master site plan, international participation guidelines, and a long-term legacy strategy.

National priority

Speaking at the assembly, Al-Sultan described the registration as a “momentous occasion for the Kingdom and the world,” highlighting the trust placed in Saudi Arabia’s vision.

Al-Marri elaborated on the Kingdom’s vision for the event, with three core sub-themes: sustainable solutions, transformative technologies, and thriving societies. The overarching mission, he said, is to help accelerate progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Saudi Vision 2030.

Al-Marri committed to a collaborative approach with participating nations and outlined progress already made, including appointment of a lead designer, initiation of technical studies and preparatory works, and a design competition for three signature pavilions.

Expo 2030 is scheduled to open on October 1, 2030, and run through March 31, 2031. The Riyadh site is expected to host 81 national pavilions, 200 partner pavilions, 197 countries, 29 international organizations, and up to 230,000 visitors daily.

Addressing the critical issue of post-event infrastructure use, Al-Marri outlined a long-term vision to transform the Expo site into a vibrant International District, a hub of cultural, commercial, and community life.

Participating countries will have the option to convert their pavilions into permanent landmarks, contributing to Riyadh’s ongoing urban development, he revealed.

He also previewed the Kingdom’s global communications strategy, which will include a three-phase media campaign aimed at boosting awareness and engagement across all channels.

Summarizing the initiative’s ambitions, Al-Marri said the goal is to foster a collaborative international community, drive both in-person and virtual attendance, and ensure that Expo 2030 leaves a lasting global legacy.

The Expo 2030 Riyadh Authority serves as the official organizing body, overseeing all aspects of planning, design, and execution, including coordination with participating countries and partners.

BIE endorsement and global vision

After handing over the BIE flag to the Saudi delegation, the bureau issued a statement affirming that the registration “confirms Expo 2030 Riyadh’s status as a registered international exhibition,” and officially authorizes Saudi Arabia to proceed with implementation and diplomatic invitations.

Kerkentzes described the event as a leading platform for innovation and exchange, where ideas and technologies meet.

The official registration enables Saudi Arabia to begin the countdown to welcoming the world to Riyadh for six months of global dialogue, discovery, and shared progress, he said.