Ezz Steel to invest over $1 billion in production expansion over two years

Egyptian steel producer Ezz Steel plans to invest $1.16 billion in expanding its production capacity over the next two years, according to Billionaires Africa.

The company intends to focus on domestic demand amid increasing global trade barriers.

Company founder Ahmed Ezz noted on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos that exporters are facing conditions similar to those that prompted Western governments to impose tariffs.

«The pressure we are seeing today is not unique to Egypt. It is the same pressure that has changed the steel markets in Europe and the United States,» he explained.

In 2024, Ezz Steel recorded exports worth $1.6 billion, but by the end of 2025, foreign sales are expected to fall below $1 billion. The company produces about 7 million tons of long and flat rolled products per year, supplying products to the local market and exporting within the region.

The company focuses on the domestic market with reduced access to external markets. Ahmed Ezz considers the construction sector and infrastructure to be the main sources of demand growth and has called for closer economic cooperation between Arab countries. In his opinion, regional coordination can provide more reliable opportunities than dependence on developed industrial markets, which are becoming increasingly protected.

Last fall, the Egyptian government announced a new stimulus package to support and expand local production of rolled products—cold-rolled, galvanized, and pre-painted steel sheets and coils. These products are critical to key sectors such as household appliances, automotive, construction, and medical equipment. The incentives are designed to reduce lead times, lower initial costs, and mitigate risks for investors.