Real estate developers have underscored the importance of digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance operational efficiency and support investment growth, while also highlighting the active role of women leaders in advancing the sector and demonstrating their capabilities. Chairperson and Managing Director of Al Ahly Sabbour Developments, Ahmed Sabbour, said that real estate development accounts for 20% of Egypt's GDP and provides around six million jobs. He noted that Egyptian developers have gained international trust due to their expertise, stressing the need to develop real estate export and financing systems and to establish a developers' union. Vice Chairperson of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), Yasser Abbas, said the government places strong emphasis on the real estate sector as a labour-intensive industry that significantly supports the national economy. He added that the state provides tax and legislative incentives to encourage local and foreign investment, alongside efforts to streamline property registration and offer one-stop services for land allocation. Abbas explained that Egypt's growing population remains a major driver of real estate investment, supported by modern infrastructure and new cities built according to sustainability standards. He noted that the government is pursuing an ambitious vision through smart-city projects and public-private partnerships, positioning Egypt as a regional hub for real estate investment. Chairperson of the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC), Essam El-Naggar, stated that the number of registered real estate marketers under the authority has exceeded 10,000. He added that a six-month grace period has been granted for registering the remaining market participants under the amended Law No. 120/1982, which aims to combat money laundering and regulate brokerage activities. He said the law sets specific requirements—including citizenship or residency, integrity standards, and a prohibition on combining government positions with brokerage work—with penalties for violations ranging from fines to imprisonment. El-Naggar confirmed that the executive regulations will be issued this month, followed by training programmes for marketers to improve market organisation, enhance transparency, and protect investors and buyers. The new regulations, he noted, will boost confidence among both local and foreign investors. Addressing concerns over a potential real estate bubble, Ayman Amer, General Manager of SODIC, denied its existence in Egypt, emphasising that demand remains strong due to the large population and ongoing infrastructure development, including roads, ports, and airports. He added that monetising around 12 million closed units and expanding property sales to foreigners represent significant opportunities to support the sector and increase sales. On the other hand, Chairperson of Mazaya Developments, Mohamed Allam, noted that the Egyptian real estate market continues to face challenges related to financing, currency fluctuations, and long-term payment plans. He said insufficient oversight has affected timely project delivery and increased pressure on companies' liquidity. Proposed solutions include enhancing financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthening oversight, and encouraging company mergers to create larger entities capable of executing major projects and keeping pace with market developments. Co-founder and CMO of Nawy, Abdel-Azim Osman, said the platform offers innovative solutions for developers and clients through fractional ownership and finishing services. So far, 283 contracts have been signed for unit finishing, with property sales worth EGP 4bn and 200,000 ready-to-buy clients. The platform enables customers to complete purchases quickly via mobile, offers convenient mortgage financing, ensures legal transparency in fractional ownership, and provides diverse investment opportunities with resale options for profitable returns. CEO of IWAN Developments, Waleed Mokhtar, emphasised that AI, digital applications, and fractional-ownership platforms represent the future of real estate marketing. He stressed that regulating these applications is essential to ensure transparency and protect clients. He added that real estate investment funds will reshape the Egyptian property market by allowing investors to hold shares in multiple projects and earn stable returns. Founder and CEO of Areva Development, Amr Yassin, said digital transformation supports the government's plans for real estate exports and investment promotion. He cited tools such as shared ownership and blockchain technology, which prevent transaction manipulation and link property databases to provide full transparency for local and foreign clients. Advanced technologies like BIM, he said, also facilitate property inspections, save time and effort, and enable full tracing of property ownership history—enhancing market efficiency and supporting the broader economy. Head of the Mutual Funds Department at the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), Sally George, said the launch of real estate investment funds in Egypt enables fractional participation and allows professional managers to oversee investments, ensuring transparency and safeguarding investor rights. She added that digital ownership platforms provide real-time pricing, document ownership, and allow regulated exits and fund recovery. George noted that the FRA's iInvest platform tracks daily performance, links to valuation companies, and provides disclosures—opening new opportunities for small investors and supporting a safe, transparent, and tech-driven market.
