Is Downtown Cairo the Next “Dubai”? UAE Expansion Raises Sovereignty Concerns
Reports reveal Emirati plans to transform downtown Cairo into a new “Downtown Dubai,” sparking debates over Egypt’s sovereignty amid deepening economic pressures.
Watan-It seems that the UAE’s expansion in Egypt is no longer limited to traditional investments but now threatens the heart of Cairo itself. Reports have revealed that the Emirati company Emaar, led by businessman Mohamed Alabbar, intends to take control of downtown Cairo and transform it into a new “Downtown Dubai.”
This move has sparked widespread controversy over the extent of Emirati influence on Egypt’s sovereignty, especially amid the economic pressures the country is facing.
UAE Influence in Egypt: Is Downtown Cairo the Next Target?
The support the UAE has provided to Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s regime since his coup against the late President Mohamed Morsi has never been a secret. However, this support did not come for free. Over time, it has turned into a tool of economic pressure, leading to the acquisition of massive projects inside Egypt—including islands, coastal areas, and ports. Now, it appears that downtown Cairo is the next target.
Mohamed Alabbar, the founder of Emaar, has openly expressed his desire to turn downtown Cairo into a global tourism hub, similar to what his company has done in Dubai.
However, these projects are unfolding alongside a growing wave of forced displacement of Egyptians. Entire residential areas in Cairo have been demolished to make way for large-scale investment projects, including skyscrapers and shopping malls—developments that do not benefit the average citizen.
This raises an urgent question: Is this merely another investment deal, or does it represent an attempt to reshape Cairo’s identity under Emirati influence? Could the UAE’s role go beyond investment, extending to direct political and economic dominance over Egyptian territory?
With Egypt’s worsening economic crisis, El-Sisi appears to have few options. Could downtown Cairo become yet another gift to Mohammed bin Zayed in exchange for continued financial support? The coming days will reveal how the Egyptian state will handle these plans—and whether Egyptians will move to defend the heart of their capital.
