As Egypt pushes ahead with one of the most ambitious urban development drives in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, green construction is emerging as a central priority. In this Q&A, Mohamed Amer, Managing Director at the International Code Council-MENA (ICC), discusses Egypt’s current direction, where policy reforms are needed, and what it would take to create a sustainable and scalable development model.

The International Code Council is a US-based organization that develops building codes and safety standards used worldwide. With offices in Washington, D.C., Dubai, and Canberra, the group works with governments and industry players to support the adoption of modern building regulations and improve construction practices. Since opening its Dubai office nearly six years ago, the ICC has increased its engagement across the MENA region, including in Egypt.

The Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.

Business Monthly: What are the most critical steps Egypt must take to integrate green principles into national building codes and enforcement?

Mohamed Amer: Egypt’s built environment is evolving rapidly, with megaprojects underway and growing awareness around sustainability. A modern, unified building code is the foundation. It must cover fire safety, structural integrity, Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems, and energy performance — embedding sustainability across disciplines.

Equally important is improving coordination among entities like the Housing and Building Research Center (HBRC), Egypt Civil Defense, and standards bodies. This ensures coherent policies, faster approvals, and properly trained inspectors. Egypt’s Green Pyramid Rating System (GPRS) is a promising tool that, if scaled nationally, could serve as a benchmark.

BM: How is ICC supporting Egypt’s shift to sustainable building practices, particularly in public megaprojects?

MA: Egypt is a growth market that ICC recognizes as a strategic market for ICC. We’re building on our work in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman by exploring the opportunity to introduce our family of solutions  in Egypt, particularly in the areas of advocacy, outreach, code consulting and training. We are currently evaluating potential partnerships, including discussions with the Industrial Modernization Centre (IMC) to support manufacturers through our compliance and testing arm, ICC-ES.

We’re also working with the Egyptian Organization for Standardization to align on regulations for building envelope systems and energy-efficient materials. Platforms like The Big 5 Construct Egypt help us share training tools and technical resources to support regulatory compliance.

While Egypt doesn’t officially request ICC-ES certifications yet, some agencies — including HBRC — already honor our reports, which facilitates the use of new systems, as applicable and necessary, in large-scale developments.

BM: How can Egypt scale low-carbon materials without raising costs, especially in affordable housing?

MA: Clear regulatory pathways are key. That means standards for performance, carbon impact, and traceability.

Localization matters too — producing materials like modular wall and roof panels  or low carbon cement locally helps cut costs and reduce import dependence. Public procurement can also drive change by requiring materials with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) or Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) pushing the market in the right direction.

Pairing these policies with fast-track approvals and access to green finance allows low-carbon materials to scale without straining budgets, especially in large projects like the New Administrative Capital or New Alamein.

BM: Are there examples in Egypt where green construction has been commercially viable?

MA: Yes. Many high-end developments in Cairo and along the coast have pursued Green Pyramid or LEED certification. For developers, these are not just compliance tools — they’re market differentiators.

Retrofitting is also gaining ground. Long-term building performance is becoming a priority for developers, particularly for assets expected to last 50 years or more.

International firms operating in Egypt are bringing in global best practices, adapting them to local regulations. This shows green construction can be both practical and profitable.

BM: Could Egypt become a regional leader in sustainable construction by 2030?

MA: Egypt has the potential — but only if it builds, enforces and maintains a strong regulatory framework. Sustainability must be layered on top of safety. That means clear codes, trained professionals, routine inspections, third-party testing, and enforcement mechanisms.

With these systems in place, Egypt can roll out a green building code, track carbon emissions, and offer real incentives for developers to deliver on measurable sustainability goals.

This isn’t a job for one agency or company. It requires full collaboration across the public and private sectors. ICC’s role is to support all parties with tools, standards, and neutral guidance.

BM: Given the pace of construction in Egypt’s new cities, is there a risk of oversupply?

MA:  That risk is real in fast-developing economies. But we’re seeing encouraging signs of due diligence — like impact assessments and feasibility studies — to better match demand.

What’s critical is aligning policy, implementation, and public-private partnerships to ensure that new development is market-responsive and resilient.

Articulating the long-term return on green investment is also key. Upfront costs may be higher, but savings in energy, maintenance, and lifespan often outweigh them. Certified projects also tend to receive faster regulatory approvals.

Egypt’s hosting of COP27 signals strong commitment. The next step is translating that momentum into scalable, real-world action.