Egypt's government has announced plans to build a new capital adjacent to Cairo, in a massive project meant to include government buildings and residential areas for 7 million people.
The plans were announced by Egypt's Housing Minister Mostafa Madbouly on March 13, the opening day of a three-day international economic development conference attended by hundreds of business executives and world leaders.
Madbouly said the aim is to alleviate congestion and overpopulation in Cairo during the next 40 years.
By that time, Cairo is expected to double in size from its current population of 20 million people.
The construction project to the east of Cairo is also aimed at lowering chronic unemployment by kick-starting Egypt’s struggling economy.
The military has already begun constructing a road that would link Cairo to the new city.
Madbouly did not say what the new city would be named.