Weekend Briefing: A Curated Look at the Week’s Top News

Updated 1/16/2026 9:00:00 AM

Arab Finance: The second week of January brought a series of developments shaping Egypt’s economic landscape, led by a major enforcement move as the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) imposed fines totaling EGP 1.143 billion on HSBC Egypt.

Below is a complete roundup of the week’s most important economic stories:

1-CBE fines HSBC Egypt EGP 1.14B

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has imposed a fine totaling EGP 1.143 billion on HSBC Egypt.

2-Egypt’s annual core inflation down to 11.8% in December: CBE

Egypt's annual core consumer price index (CPI) inflation recorded 11.8% in December 2025, compared to 12.5% last November.

3-Al-Mashat launches 2nd edition of Narrative for Economic Development 2030

Minister of Planning and Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat launched the second edition of the ‘Narrative for Comprehensive Development: Policies Supporting Growth and Employment’.

4-World Bank maintains Egypt FY2025/26 GDP forecast at 4.3%

The World Bank has maintained Egypt’s real gross domestic product (GDP) at 4.3% for the current fiscal year (FY) 2025/2026

5-Egypt ships LNG cargo from Idku plant to Canada

Egypt has exported a new cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Idku liquefaction plant on the Mediterranean coast to Canada.

6-El-Khatib outlines Egypt’s economic reform plans for next 5 years

Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib reviewed Egypt’s economic vision for the next five years.

7-Madbouly inaugurates 3 industrial projects in Sokhna

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has inaugurated three new industrial projects in the Ain Sokhna Industrial Zone, part of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE).

8-Egypt seals $1.8B clean energy deals with Scatec, Sungrow

Egypt signed agreements and contracts worth over $1.8 billion to develop two integrated renewable energy projects and localize the manufacturing of their components.

9-Madbouly inaugurates 1st phase of Africa’s largest solar project in Qena

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly inaugurated the first phase of the Obelisk solar project, the largest renewable energy project in Africa, in Nagaa Hamadi, Qena Governorate.

10-Madinet Masr, Elswedy Electric pen EGP 400M infrastructure deal for Sarai's Elan

Madinet Masr For Housing and Development (MASR) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Elswedy Electric (SWDY) and its subsidiary Elswedy Electric Infrastructure to carry out advanced infrastructure works at the Elan project within the Sarai development in East Cairo.