$100B Green Push: Egypt Joins UAE & Bahrain in MENA Green Industry Drive

The Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) has announced a strategic partnership with Egypt’s Industrial Modernization Center (IMC), operating under the Ministry of Industry. This collaboration aims to speed up the deployment of clean industrial initiatives throughout the region.

High-Level Signing Ceremony Signals Strong Bilateral Commitment

The agreement was formalized in a signing ceremony attended by key dignitaries, including His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Co-Chair of the ITA, and His Excellency Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel Al-Wazir, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport. Also present was His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade. Representing the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Undersecretary Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi signed on behalf of the ITA, while Duaa Salima, Executive Director of the IMC, signed for Egypt.

His Excellency Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi said: “The MENA region has a unique opportunity to become a world leader in sustainable industries, driven by a rapidly expanding industrial sector and abundant human and natural resources. The ITA’s new partnership with Egypt marks the beginning of an exciting chapter, where we can strengthen regional cooperation to advance industrial sustainability, and reduce carbon emissions. Lastly, to benefit from advanced technologies in developing innovative solutions to achieve sustainable goals while enhancing industrial competitiveness.”

He added: “The ITA is a strategic necessity for building a resilient industrial ecosystem that aligns with future global trends. It works to enable industries to adopt practices and technologies that minimize environmental impact while improving productivity. At the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology of the UAE, we are committed to accelerating the deployment of innovative solutions for industrial decarbonization to ensure the region’s readiness for a sustainable industrial future.”

Accelerating Regional Industrial Decarbonization

The ITA’s mission is to unite industrial, financial, and governmental leaders to drive decarbonization in high-emission sectors, including steel, cement, aluminium, chemicals, shipping, and aviation. This new partnership will strengthen the MENA region’s green industrial ecosystem and support sustainable project development on a global scale. Egypt becomes the third country to join ITA’s MENA Programme, after the UAE and Bahrain.

Egypt’s Role in the Green Industrial Transition

As a major industrial force in MENA, Egypt is well-positioned to support the global shift toward sustainability, benefiting from its rich access to both traditional and renewable energy sources. The nation’s industrial strategy aims to increase industry’s contribution to GDP from 14% to 20% by 2030, with green industry forming 5% of this total. With support from the ITA, Egypt could emerge as a key supplier of low-carbon materials to European markets.

MoU to Foster Low-Carbon Industrial Cooperation

Duaa Salima, Executive Director of the IMC, hailed the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a major step toward reducing carbon emissions in Egypt’s industrial and transport sectors. The agreement also promotes the exchange of knowledge, skills, and technical guidance between partners, aligning with the ITA’s broader goals.

Supporting Investment in Decarbonization Projects

Salima emphasized that the partnership provides comprehensive backing for industrial decarbonization efforts, helping key projects move toward final investment decisions. She also underscored the importance of government involvement to align initiatives with national emissions targets and improve coordination across sectors.

Targeting Operational Milestones by 2030

Through its collaboration with the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, the ITA will identify priority industrial projects, supporting their path to operational readiness before 2030. These efforts align with the climate goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.

“This partnership with Egypt builds on the growing momentum of ITA’s MENA Programme. With its established energy infrastructure, growing renewable energy capacity, and close trade ties to the EU, Egypt is well-positioned to become a leader in supplying low-carbon industrial goods,” said Faustine Delasalle, Executive Director of the ITA.

Proven Track Record and Ambitious Pipeline

The ITA has developed an effective model of collaboration, working with national governments and project developers to bring green industrial projects to life. In 2024, the ITA launched successful project support initiatives in Brazil, the UAE, and Bahrain. To date, more than 45 projects worth over USD 100 billion have been identified as viable investment opportunities.

Driving Green Industry Through Tailored Support

The ITA will offer specialized technical and strategic support to ensure project execution success. This includes tackling barriers such as policy misalignment, lack of demand for green products, and financing challenges. The initiative aims to establish low-emission industrial value chains and attract investment by reducing risks, ultimately accelerating decarbonization across the region.