Egypt’s tourism sector remains one of the most resilient pillars of the country’s economy, continuing to expand even as instability persists in parts of the Middle East, Africanews reports.
According to recent figures, the country welcomed nearly 19 million international visitors in 2025, representing a rise of about 21% compared with the previous year.
Tourism revenues climbed to €14.17 billion, surpassing levels recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic by more than 20%. The figures underline the scale of the sector’s recovery following the dramatic downturn experienced in 2020, when income from tourism collapsed to €3.85 billion from €11.6 billion the year before as global travel came to a near standstill.
Since then, the industry has steadily regained ground, driven by renewed international demand and expanding transport links. Authorities expect the positive trajectory to continue into 2026, forecasting that both visitor numbers and tourism revenues could rise by between 5% and 7%.
One of the main drivers behind this growth has been increased air traffic to the country, including a sharp expansion in charter flights, which have risen by around 32%. At the same time, the development of emerging destinations such as El Alamein is helping broaden Egypt’s tourism geography beyond its traditional hotspots.
The government has also been working to diversify the country’s tourism offering. Alongside its well-known archaeological and cultural attractions, Egypt is promoting seaside holidays, eco-tourism and wellness travel. Destinations such as Siwa Oasis and the North Coast are gradually attracting more international visitors as the country seeks to widen the appeal of its tourism industry.
Significant investment in infrastructure is accompanying this strategy. Plans include the addition of more than 200,000 new hotel rooms across the country, while Egyptian airports are expected to handle over 50 million passengers in the coming years. Cairo alone is projected to receive approximately 31 million travellers.
Despite a volatile geopolitical environment in the broader region, tourism continues to play a strategic role in Egypt’s economic outlook and remains one of the country’s most important sources of foreign revenue.
ECOWAS faces new political strains
Elsewhere on the continent, the Economic Community of West African States is navigating a period of growing uncertainty. The regional bloc is under pressure following the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, which have formed their own Alliance of Sahel States, leaving ECOWAS to confront questions about cohesion and its future role.
Additional tensions have emerged within the organisation itself. A long-running maritime dispute between Ghana and Togo has intensified, with Accra deciding to submit the matter to international arbitration after years of negotiations failed to settle the delimitation of their sea border.
Authorities in Lomé, however, have continued to advocate a peaceful and negotiated solution.
Another flashpoint has appeared along the border between Guinea and Sierra Leone. The disagreement stems from allegations of troop incursions, claims that have been firmly rejected by the government in Freetown.
These challenges come at a moment of institutional transition. Senegal is expected to assume leadership of the ECOWAS Commission for the 2026–2030 term, and the bloc’s ability to manage regional disputes will likely play a decisive role in determining its credibility in a rapidly evolving West African political landscape.
