In the vast expanse of Egypt’s Western Desert, a remarkable transformation is underway. Once a barren landscape of sand and rocks, patches of lush farmland now stretch across the horizon, a testament to human ingenuity and international cooperation. This change is thanks to the deep wells drilled by the Egypt branch of China’s Zhongman Petroleum and Natural Gas Group (ZPEC), bringing life-giving water to the arid region. Wheat, alfalfa, and potatoes now thrive in tidy rows under the desert sun, marking a significant step towards sustainable development in arid regions and addressing food security challenges.
The project is a shining example of the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, showcasing how international partnerships can tackle pressing issues such as food insecurity, unemployment, and technological gaps. Egypt, with a population exceeding 100 million, faces the daunting task of expanding its farmland, with only about 4% of its land currently 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 component 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 over 680 wells across the country, from the Sinai Peninsula to Aswan. Zhao Baojiang, project manager for ZPEC’s Owainat well-drilling operation, highlighted the challenges his team overcame, including extreme temperatures, sandstorms, complex geology, and logistical hurdles. Despite these obstacles, they managed to drill 63 wells, each about 450 meters deep, in less than a year.
The impact of these wells is already being felt. Abou-elKhier Ibrahim, manager of the Owainat sector of the Future of Egypt agricultural project, shared his excitement about the first wheat harvest this year. Wheat, a dietary cornerstone in Egypt, is in high demand, with per capita consumption averaging about 146 kg annually, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Mohamed Elhosary, electromechanical division manager of the Owainat sector, estimated that each feddan of farmland in Owainat can yield 3 tons of wheat, sufficient to cover the annual wheat consumption of at least 20 Egyptians.
Innovation has been key to the success of these projects. In Minya Province, ZPEC faced technical hurdles due to the unstable groundwater layer. 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. The 193 wells drilled by ZPEC in Minya can irrigate 30,000 feddans of land, enabling the farm to plant 22,000 feddans of beets in 2023 alone, 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, highlighting the personal growth and development opportunities that have arisen from this international cooperation.
For many Egyptians, these projects represent more than just infrastructure; they symbolize progress towards greater food security, stable income, and a hopeful future. Ahmed Galal, dean of the Higher Institute for Agricultural Cooperation in Cairo, praised the notable and positive contribution by ZPEC in advancing agricultural development in Egypt. He emphasized that any efforts in extracting water or increasing Egypt’s water resources directly lead to positive results for agricultural development.
The well-drilling project is just one part of the broader cooperation between Egypt and China under the Belt and Road Initiative. 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.
Waleed Gaballah, a member of the Egyptian Association for Political Economy, Statistics and Legislation, highlighted China’s leadership in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced manufacturing. He stressed that providing access to these technologies at a reasonable cost to countries participating in the BRI could make a major shift in the way of life in their societies. Echoing this view, Galal expressed his eagerness for more Chinese investment in Egypt, as the ongoing cooperation under the BRI is seen as fruitful and promising for mutual benefits and joint development.