🇪🇬EgyptNorth Africa
Egypt's 'red zones' shrink as birth rate declines by end of 2025
via Egypt Today2 min read
Egypt's Health and Population Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar announced significant progress in controlling population growth and improving demographic indicators by the end of 2025. This marks the first outcome of the 2025–2027 Emergency Population and Development Plan. The eighth edition of Egypt's composite population indicators showed a reduction in "red zones," areas most in need of intervention, to 20 by the end of 2025, down from 43 previously. Deputy Health Minister Abla al-Alfi noted that the number of governorates free of red zones increased to 13 by the end of 2025. Annual births fell below two million for the first time in years, with the total fertility rate declining to 2.34 children per woman in 2025, from 2.54 in 2023. The crude birth rate also fell to 18.1 per 1,000 people from 19.4 per 1,000 in 2023. Health Ministry Spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar attributed this progress to integrated policies expanding family planning and reproductive health services and raising public awareness. Future efforts will focus on targeted interventions, especially in Upper Egypt governorates.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
The Suez Canal Economic Zone SCZone has seen its revenues more than triple, rising from LE 2.8 billion in FY2016/2017 to LE 11.6 billion in FY2024/2025. This growth is attributed to the inauguration of several major projects since the beginning of 2026, positioning the SCZone as a significant industrial and logistics hub. Key projects include Camstone for Advanced Industries, a $8 million investment for SPC flooring production, and the expansion of Kadmar International’s logistics center with a $24 million investment. Other new facilities are the Modern Hygienic factory for sanitary products, a $100 million investment, and Go Steel’s steel pipe manufacturing plant, a $45 million investment. In renewable energy, Elite Solar Suez Technology and Elite Solar Green Energy, part of the Elite Solar complex, launched with investments of $40 million and $76 million respectively, contributing 2 GW and 3 GW of production capacity. SCZone ports have also achieved milestones, with Sokhna Port receiving a Guinness World Records certificate for its deep man-made basin, and East Port Said Port ranking third globally in the World Bank’s 2024 Container Port Performance Index. Industrial zones within the SCZone have attracted substantial investments: Sokhna Industrial Zone with $33.1 billion across 547 projects, West Qantara Industrial Zone with $1.5 billion across 52 projects, and East Port Said Integrated Industrial Zone with $367 million across 7 projects. The first phase of Technology Valle
Must ReadDuring a high-level meeting in Seoul on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty presented Egypt as the main strategic entry point for South Korean investments into Africa. Speaking with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and other African ministers, Abdelatty emphasized Egypt's commitment to enhancing economic, investment, and technological collaboration, particularly in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and green energy. He delivered a letter from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reaffirming Egypt's dedication to the partnership and lauded the progress made since the South Korean presidential visit to Egypt in November 2025. President Lee commended Egypt's diplomatic efforts in regional de-escalation and stability. Abdelatty also expressed Egypt's support for the Korea-Africa partnership and welcomed the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit in 2029, aiming to broaden political and economic relations across the continent.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s commitment to cooperation with regional and international parties to resolve conflicts peacefully during a meeting with media representatives in Seoul, South Korea. The Minister highlighted Egypt's efforts to support security and stability in the Middle East and discussed developments concerning the Palestinian cause, Sudan, Lebanon, the Horn of Africa, and the Red Sea. Abdelatty also reviewed Egyptian-South Korean relations, praising progress in bilateral ties and expressing interest in strengthening economic, trade, and investment cooperation, citing Egypt's economic reforms and investment climate.
Egypt's Ministry of Health announced on Friday that there are no confirmed hantavirus cases in the country, emphasizing continuous epidemiological surveillance in coordination with national and international authorities. The ministry stated that Egypt's health situation remains "stable and fully safe." This statement follows a World Health Organization WHO report of two laboratory-confirmed and five suspected hantavirus cases, including three deaths, on the Dutch-flagged MV Hondiu cruise ship, which had sailed from Argentina and Cape Verde. Hantavirus infection, primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodent excretions, is rare but can be severe and fatal. While human-to-human transmission is limited, it has been observed with the Andes virus. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome HPS has a mortality rate of up to 38% among patients with respiratory symptoms. The Egyptian ministry is monitoring media reports but reassures citizens that the "current situation does not warrant concern." Egypt's epidemiological surveillance system operates efficiently at all entry points, and the ministry is coordinating with WHO and other international bodies to ensure a rapid response to any developments, prioritizing public health with transparency and professionalism.