Egypt plans desert Jirian city supplied with diverted Nile water

Egypt has announced an ambitious plan to build a new desert city—Jirian City—west of Cairo, as part of a broader strategy to manage its mounting urban, water, and economic challenges. The project combines residential development, commercial infrastructure, and agricultural expansion, with the government hoping it will help unlock new economic value and alleviate pressure on the densely populated capital.

Jirian City will span 6.8 million square meters and sit roughly 42 kilometers west of downtown Cairo. The development will feature upscale residential areas, commercial zones, a yacht marina, and a free economic zone designed to attract investment and promote trade. It’s one of several large-scale projects Egypt is pursuing to reshape its urban footprint and stimulate economic activity, even as the country grapples with inflation, currency devaluation, and a growing external debt burden.

One of the most controversial aspects of the project is the planned diversion of 7% of Egypt’s Nile River water quota—around 10 million cubic meters per day. That water will be redirected from more fertile delta regions to support both Jirian City and the adjacent New Delta agricultural zone, which covers 2.28 million acres. The goal is to turn arid land into productive farmland while laying the groundwork for new urban centers in less crowded parts of the country.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has framed Jirian City as part of a broader effort to pursue “non-traditional, innovative ideas” in the face of mounting domestic and international pressures. The project reflects the government’s desire to expand state-owned assets and raise land values in undeveloped regions. The state is participating through Mostakbal Misr for Sustainable Development, a military-linked agency, alongside three private developers.

This initiative follows Egypt’s ongoing $58 billion effort to build a new administrative capital east of Cairo—another megaproject meant to decongest the capital and establish a modern hub for government and business. Together, these projects are reshaping the country’s geography and offering potential new engines of growth.

However, not everyone is convinced. Earlier this year, billionaire businessman Naguib Sawiris called for a reevaluation of large-scale national projects, warning of their heavy reliance on foreign currency and the risks they pose to Egypt’s financial stability. Critics argue that while such developments may be visionary in concept, they come at a time when the country faces acute challenges in food security, energy access, and public debt.

Jirian City represents a high-stakes bet on the power of infrastructure to drive economic transformation. Whether it becomes a model for sustainable growth—or a costly miscalculation—will depend on how Egypt balances ambition with the practical realities of its current economic landscape.