money problems

Egypt’s President Sisi is looking to sell government assets to try to boost the country’s economy

By Jeune Afrique

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Posted on May 6, 2022 10:32

 Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, 18 February 2022. © Johanna Geron/REUTERS
Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, 18 February 2022. © Johanna Geron/REUTERS

The Russia-Ukraine war has highlighted the Egyptian economy’s flaws. Faced with the risk of social unrest, the government has introduced a series of emergency measures.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi addressed his compatriots on 26 April in a tone that he hasn’t used since coming to power in 2014 and in the presence of some opposition figures for the first time. In a meeting with hundreds of representatives from political and social forces, he acknowledged that Egypt was facing an unprecedented economic crisis.

The head of state said this current mess was a repercussion of the Russia-Ukraine war and the popular 2011 revolt. With his speech, he sent a clear message to those who might consider taking advantage of the current situation to revolt against his regime.

One of the solutions that Sisi has implemented to deal with the crisis – particularly the debt crisis – is selling $40bn worth of state assets to the private sector within four years.

The Egyptian president also instructed the government to adopt a plan to reduce the public debt and

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