The Egyptian government is gearing up for a new wave of evictions along the Nile Corniche, spanning from Rod El-Farag in northern Cairo to El-Tebbin in the south. The evictions are a part of a drive to “maximize returns” from underused state assets, according to two sources in the Cabinet.
The move follows similar campaigns launched last October to clear all structures built on riverbank land formed by sediment accumulation—known locally as “Tarh El-Nahr” plots.
Notices at the time were sent to several entities, including Cairo University’s Staff Club, Helwan University’s Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, the Floating Theatre, Umm Kulthum Park, the River Police, and the clubs of the Administrative Prosecution and the State Council Judges.
The Armed Forces Land Projects Agency informed them that their usufruct contracts were cancelled and would not be renewed, and ordered immediate removal of belongings to prepare the sites for investment or redevelopment.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met on Monday with Housing Minister Sherif El-Sherbiny, Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber Khalil, and other senior officials to review investment opportunities for vacant plots on the Corniche.
The aim, according to an official statement, is to add value to the economy by managing the land more effectively, including through partnerships with private investors.
One source, a Cabinet official who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the government has begun demolishing Cairo University’s Staff Club in Manial and is considering selling the land to an Emirati investor. Details of the prospective sale have not been disclosed.
The official added that a survey is under way to catalogue unused buildings and assets along the 40-km stretch of Corniche between Rod El-Farag and El-Tebbin.
Once completed, the findings will be presented to the Cabinet, which is expected to allocate some of the land to the “Ahl Misr” pedestrian promenade project and market other parcels to domestic and foreign investors for luxury hotels, residential towers, and tourism ventures.
A second source at the Housing Ministry confirmed the plan, saying the ministry is drafting proposals for suitable projects for each location in coordination with the Cairo governorate. Options under review include joint ventures with private developers, outright land sales, or new usufruct agreements.
Tarh El-Nahr plots, formed by Nile sedimentation, are legally classified as public state property under Egyptian law. Private ownership claims are typically invalid, as these lands fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Irrigation.
The government’s plan had faced criticism in parliament when first announced in October. MP Maha Abdel Nasser submitted a formal query to the prime minister and the ministers of higher education and culture, calling the decision a stark contradiction to official rhetoric on the importance of education and culture in shaping Egypt’s future.
She urged a review of what she described as an “ill-considered” policy and called for distinguishing between land that could be reclaimed and that which should remain in educational or cultural use.
At the time, several artists also signed a public appeal to the president to prevent the demolition of cultural institutions, including the Floating Theatre in Manial, which was slated for removal under the same decision.
