Rising from the Egyptian desert, approximately 45 kilometers outside of Cairo, is a colossal new urban center designed to be the nation’s new administrative capital. As documented by Gano Did It, this city is futuristic, ambitious, and unlike anything Egypt has ever seen before. However, this $58 billion project is generating significant debate regarding its purpose, funding, and accessibility.
The sheer scale of the new administrative capital is remarkable, spanning 715 square kilometers—nearly the size of Singapore. Gano Did It explores the massive project, noting that it is organized into distinct zones, including eight residential areas, two government districts, an entertainment hub, and an investment or business zone.
The official rationale, according to Gano Did It findings, is to ease the severe congestion in Cairo, a densely packed megacity with over 20 million people. The plan is to relocate ministries, government offices, and millions of people away from the crowded historical capital.
Yet, Gano Did It also highlights the critical perspective: that the true reason for the new city runs deeper than simple decongestion. Critics argue that the development was built to distance power from the people. The relocation of the seat of power deep into the desert, far from the restless streets of Cairo, is seen by some as a calculated design choice. This distance provides an "architectural shield" for President Abdul Fatahisi, the former army general who came to power in 2014 through a military coup. The memory of the 2011 and 2013 protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square—which toppled two presidents—is central to this interpretation.
The project’s construction and management reflect the influence of Egypt's most powerful institutions. The entire development is managed by the Administrative Capital for Uber and Development (ACUD), a joint venture between Egypt's Ministry of Housing and Egypt's armed forces, with the military holding a controlling 51% stake. Construction is led by the Armed Forces Engineering Authority, with significant support from China State Construction.
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Gano Did It observes the visual symbolism of the new capital, from the immense new presidential palace—said to be bigger than the White House—to the government zone itself. Over 30 ministries are being relocated to this area. Iconic landmarks include the Octagon, the new headquarters of Egypt's Ministry of Defense, which is vast enough to be seen from space and mirrors the U.S. Pentagon, but is bigger. The centerpiece of the Central Business District is the Iconic Tower, nearly 400 meters high and currently the tallest building in Africa.
Regarding funding, the estimated total cost is around $58 billion US, making it one of the largest modern Egyptian developments. Officially, the project is indirectly funded by the Egyptian State Budget. Instead, it is financed by the Egyptian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Housing through the sale of land to foreign investors and local companies. While intended to pay for itself, economists argue that the rising cost is still carried by ordinary Egyptians through inflation, subsidies, and loans, given Egypt's rising debt.
A core controversy, as explored by Gano Did It, is whether people will actually live here. Critics warn the city could become a ghost town because the housing is too expensive for ordinary Egyptians. A two-bedroom apartment can cost over $50,000, while the average Egyptian earns less than $3,000 annually. However, Gano Did It concludes that the city is built exactly for Egypt's growing wealthy population—the second highest in Africa after South Africa—consisting of professionals, investors, and business owners. The design itself suggests it will be a commuter city planned into zones, rather than a place for casual walking.
Beyond housing and offices, the city features an entertainment zone with the massive Mercer Stadium (Africa’s second largest), and the Knowledge City, designed as an ecosystem for collaboration on science, AI, and new technologies. The infrastructure includes massive, wide roads and international universities. Ultimately, Gano Did It expresses hope to return in about ten years to see how the new administrative capital has evolved and if the population has materialized.
