Egypt's New Administrative Capital Shares Urban Planning Expertise in Madagascar
Taarek Refaat
In a significant step to bolster African cooperation and export Egyptian expertise in sustainable urban development, the Administrative Capital for Urban Development Company (ACUD) has announced its active involvement in supporting the development of a new administrative city in Madagascar.
The visit, led by Eng. Khaled Abbas, Chairman and Managing Director of ACUD, came at the official invitation of Madagascar's Secretary of State for New Towns and Housing and follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between both nations during the Cairo Urban Forum in November 2024.
The Egyptian delegation visited the Madagascan capital Antananarivo from June 22 to 25, 2025, where they explored avenues for technical collaboration and shared Egypt's landmark experience in developing its New Administrative Capital (NAC)—a national megaproject viewed as a model for future smart cities in the region.
Sharing Expertise for a Future Capital
At the heart of the visit was a field tour of the Tana-Masondro New City Project, located approximately 28 kilometers from Antananarivo and spanning over 2,340 acres. The site is set to become Madagascar's future administrative capital and a major urban expansion initiative.
During the tour, Eng. Abbas reviewed master plans, ongoing works, and requested detailed technical documents for evaluation and advisory input from the Egyptian side.
In a high-level meeting with the Secretary of State, Abbas presented Egypt's integrated approach to smart and sustainable urban planning, including infrastructure development, digital governance, and public-private partnerships. The two parties agreed to form a joint steering committee comprising specialists from both countries to oversee cooperation and begin technical collaboration on the new city's design and implementation.
Business Forum Highlights Egyptian-Malagasy Partnership
The visit also featured ACUD's participation in the Egypt-Madagascar Business Forum, which was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Egypt's Deputy Minister for Maritime Transport, Rear Admiral Nehad Shaheen, and a delegation of private Egyptian firms. On the Malagasy side, ministers of foreign affairs, transportation, public works, energy, water, industry, and commerce joined the discussions.
Eng. Abbas took part in knowledge-exchange sessions that showcased Egypt's urban development model, highlighting successful strategies in financing, planning, and managing large-scale cities such as the NAC.
Presidential Reception and Bilateral Commitment
The visit concluded with a meeting between Eng. Abbas and President Andry Rajoelina of Madagascar, during which Abbas conveyed the greetings of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and affirmed Cairo's readiness to support Madagascar's urban ambitions.
President Rajoelina welcomed the Egyptian offer of expertise and emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation in areas of development, urban planning, and sustainable infrastructure.
A Strategic Partnership in the Making
The collaboration reflects a broader strategy by the Egyptian government to expand its footprint in African urban development initiatives, positioning ACUD as a regional leader in smart city planning. The signed MoU outlines a roadmap for Egyptian companies to provide technical support, human resources, and consultancy in the design and execution of the Tana-Masondro project.
The success of the mission also owed much to the coordination efforts of the Egyptian Embassy in Antananarivo, particularly Ambassador Rabab Saeed, who was praised for facilitating the visit and advancing Egypt's diplomatic and developmental goals in the region.
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