Egypt's Economy Grows 5.1% in FY2025/26, Beating IMF and EBRD Forecasts as Suez Canal and Industry Rebound

Planning Minister Ahmed Rostom announced that Egypt's economy grew 5.1% in fiscal year 2025/26, accelerating from 4.4% the previous year and exceeding the IMF's 4.6% forecast (though below the EBRD's 5.3% projection). The Suez Canal posted the strongest rebound of any sector, expanding 33.8% in Q4 and 23.3% for the full year as Red Sea shipping traffic recovered; non-oil manufacturing grew 9% and was the single biggest contributor to growth, while petroleum refining rose 8.7% for the year after contracting in FY2024/25. Manufacturing, trade, and telecommunications together accounted for 48% of total economic growth. Egypt's PMI climbed to 49.6 in August from 46.8 in July, still in contraction territory but approaching the 50-point expansion threshold.