In the heart of Egypt’s Western Desert, a remarkable transformation is underway. Once a barren expanse of sand and rocks, the landscape now boasts patches of lush farmland, teeming with wheat, alfalfa, and potatoes. This dramatic change is the result of a collaborative effort between Egypt and China, under the umbrella of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The project, led by the Egypt branch of China’s Zhongman Petroleum and Natural Gas Group (ZPEC), has not only reclaimed desert land for agriculture but also offered a model for sustainable development in arid regions.
The BRI, initially focused on infrastructure, has evolved into a platform for transformative collaboration in Egypt, encompassing agriculture, technology, and industry. This initiative is helping to address pressing challenges such as food insecurity, unemployment, and technological gaps, laying the groundwork for more resilient and sustainable growth. For many Egyptians, these projects represent more than just infrastructure; they symbolize progress toward greater food security, stable income, and a hopeful future.
Egypt, with a population exceeding 100 million, faces the daunting task of expanding farmland in a country where only about 4% of the land is arable. To reduce reliance on food imports, the Egyptian government has intensified efforts to reclaim desert land since 2015, with water source development being a crucial part of this push. ZPEC, operating in Egypt since 2016, has played a pivotal role in this endeavor. Its teams, composed of Chinese and Egyptian employees, have drilled more than 680 wells across the country, from the Sinai Peninsula to Aswan.
One of the most notable projects is the Owainat well-drilling operation in Egypt’s Western Desert. Zhao Baojiang, the project manager, reported that his team has drilled 63 wells, each about 450 meters deep, in less than a year. Despite facing extreme temperatures, sandstorms, complex geology, and logistical hurdles, the team’s efforts have enabled the region to have its first wheat harvest this year. Abou-elKhier Ibrahim, manager of the Owainat sector of the Future of Egypt agricultural project, expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation with the Chinese company.
Wheat, a dietary cornerstone in Egypt, is in high demand. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, per capita wheat consumption in Egypt averages about 146 kg annually. Mohamed Elhosary, electromechanical division manager of the Owainat sector, estimated that each feddan (about 0.42 hectares) of the farmland in Owainat can yield 3 tons of wheat. Zhao Wutao, general manager of the ZPEC branch in Egypt, noted that the yield from each feddan is sufficient to cover the annual wheat consumption of at least 20 Egyptians.
In Minya Province, 360 km south of Cairo, ZPEC is also supporting the farm of Canal Sugar Company, a joint venture between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The farm has allocated a significant portion of its land to sugar beet production for a large-scale local refinery. ZPEC engineers faced technical hurdles due to the unstable groundwater layer in Minya’s desert. To address these issues, the company’s technical team introduced air foam drilling technology, which uses stable foam as drilling fluid to prevent leakage and increase efficiency. This method was later shared with local companies to help improve their performance.
Hassan Gamal, technical manager of the Canal Sugar farm, said that the 193 wells drilled by ZPEC can irrigate 30,000 feddans (12,600 hectares) of land. In 2023 alone, the farm planted 22,000 feddans (9,240 hectares) of beets, which were processed into sugar and sold widely. Beyond agriculture, ZPEC’s work has also supported local employment and skills training. Mohamed Gaber, who joined ZPEC as a worker five years ago, is now a platform manager. He credited his Chinese colleagues for teaching him skills and helping him navigate challenges.
The well-drilling project is just part of broader cooperation between Egypt and China under the BRI. Other projects include the Central Business District of Egypt’s new administrative capital, a textile city in Sadat City, and the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Ain Sokhna. These ventures are seen by Egyptian experts as essential engines for job creation, industrialization, and joint development.
Ahmed Galal, dean of the Higher Institute for Agricultural Cooperation in Cairo, praised the Chinese company’s contribution to advancing agricultural development in Egypt. He expressed his hope for continued cooperation, stating that any efforts in extracting water or increasing Egypt’s water resources directly lead to