Sisi Opens New State Strategic Command, Outlines Post-IMF Economic Plan

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi inaugurated Egypt's new State Strategic Command in the New Administrative Capital on July 4, 2026, timed near the 13th anniversary of the June 30, 2013 uprising against Mohamed Morsi. During the ceremony, Sisi directed the government to prepare a 'purely Egyptian, comprehensive national economic programme' to be implemented once the current IMF Extended Fund Facility concludes, aiming to shift the economy from IMF-backed stabilization toward sustainable, homegrown growth. He tasked officials with accelerating the state's exit from direct economic activity to empower the private sector, ordered decisive action against corruption, called for stronger governance and accountability mechanisms, and pushed for expanded digital transformation across government services. The directives also touched on preparations for upcoming local council elections. The speech signaled Cairo's intent to move beyond the austerity-heavy reform cycle that began with the 2016 and 2024 IMF programs.