Cairo: The Egyptian Cabinet's Media Center released a series of infographics highlighting the government's extensive efforts to develop the Sinai Peninsula, part of a broader national strategy for sustainable and inclusive growth in this vital region.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the visuals showcased urban development projects, including the construction and ongoing development of seven new cities designed to accommodate over five million residents. More than 110,000 housing units have been built, with over 54,000 allocated to eliminate unsafe informal settlements, rendering Sinai and the Canal cities free of hazardous slums.
The government is also building 5,216 Bedouin homes and four fishing villages in North Sinai, alongside several new residential clusters. Infrastructure upgrades are ongoing, with drinking water coverage rising to 96.5% in 2025 (up from 84.4% in 2014), and sanitation coverage jumping to 78% from just 17.3% a decade ago.
Major water projects were also highlighted, including the Bahr Al-Baqar treatment plant (5.6 million m³/day) and desalination facilities in East Port Said and the city of El-Tor. Transportation efforts include upgrading 5,000 km of roads and bridges, constructing seven floating bridges, five tunnels linking Sinai to the mainland, and new railway and high-speed electric train lines.
The infographics also outlined strategic international links, such as the expansion of the Suez Canal, which has cut transit time to 11 hours and increased capacity to 97 ships per day. Aviation projects include the development of six airports, including the newly constructed Bardawil International Airport, and eight seaports and three land ports are also being upgraded or built.
International organizations have praised Egypt's efforts. Fitch Solutions labeled the new Taba seaport plan a strategic step in transforming Sinai into a regional logistics hub. The UNDP cited COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh as a key moment in Egypt's transition to sustainable cities, describing the city as a model of green transformation.
The UNDP also commended Bedouin settlements for supporting sustainable development while preserving cultural heritage. Meanwhile, TripAdvisor highlighted Sharm El-Sheikh's booming tourism economy, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration underscored the strategic role of the Suez Canal and SUMED pipeline in global energy markets.
Italy's Eni described the Zohr gas field as the Mediterranean's largest, reinforcing Egypt's position as a key LNG exporter. Additionally, South Sinai received the 2024 GIS Excellence Award from Esri for its digital geographic platform.