Egypt’s Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA) and China’s Asia‑Potash International Investment (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch comprehensive cooperation in phosphate exploration and value-added fertilizer production. The MoU was signed by Yasser Ramadan, MRMIA’s Chairman, and Zeng Yuy, Vice President of the Chinese company Asia-Potash.
The MoU outlines joint work on surveying and verifying phosphate ore reserves particularly in regions between Luxor and Aswan and lays the groundwork for establishing a modern phosphate fertilizer factory that could significantly upgrade Egypt’s mining and manufacturing potential. Egyptian Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Karim Badawi noted that this initiative aligns with Egypt’s broader strategy to grow mining’s contribution to GDP from under 1% to between 5% and 6%.
The broader context for the MoU includes plans by Asia‑Potash for a multi‑billion-dollar industrial phosphate complex in Egypt. The initial phase, estimated at $1.6 billion aims to extract 2 million tons of phosphate annually, process it into fertilizer, and export 100% of the output through Safaga Port. The project is expected to scale up to a total investment of $7 to $10 billion, with a final production capacity of approximately 10 million tons per year. Over 3,000 direct jobs are projected to be created during phase one, boosting foreign exchange reserves and Egypt’s industrial footprint.
Asia‑Potash has also expressed intent to integrate green ammonia energy sources to power its operations, supporting eco-friendly fertilizer production and aligning with Egypt’s sustainable development goals. Additionally, partnerships with universities and infrastructure investments are in scope to enrich local communities around project areas, particularly in education, farming, and skills training.
