The Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA) has announced a pivotal partnership with Egypt’s Industrial Modernization Center (IMC) to fast-track clean industrial projects across the MENA region.

This new alliance, signed under the Arab Republic of Egypt’s Ministry of Industry, aims to accelerate the shift toward a more sustainable industrial sector by promoting decarbonization and reducing carbon emissions in high-emitting industries.

The signing ceremony was attended by key figures including His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Co-Chair of the ITA; His Excellency Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel Al-Wazir, Egypt’s Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport; and His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade.

Representing the ITA and Egypt, the agreement was signed by H.E. Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Duaa Salima, Executive Director of IMC.

In his address, H.E. Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi highlighted the vast potential of the MENA region to lead in sustainable industries, emphasizing that the partnership marks the beginning of a new chapter for regional collaboration. “The MENA region has a unique opportunity to become a world leader in sustainable industries,” he said. “By reducing carbon emissions and embracing advanced technologies, we can boost industrial competitiveness while achieving our sustainability goals,” H.E. said.

“The ITA is a strategic necessity for building a resilient industrial ecosystem. It enables industries to minimize environmental impact and improve productivity, ensuring we’re ready for a sustainable industrial future,” H.E. added.

The ITA focuses on accelerating decarbonization across key high-emission sectors, including aluminium, cement, chemicals, steel, aviation, and shipping. With Egypt joining the ITA’s MENA Programme, it becomes the third country to partner in this initiative, following the UAE and Bahrain. This partnership will help reduce the region’s industrial carbon footprint and support the expansion of green industrial projects.

Egypt, with its strategic location and access to both conventional and renewable energy resources, is well-positioned to contribute to global sustainability efforts. Its industrial sector plays a crucial role in the national economy, with Egypt’s industrial strategy targeting an increase in industrial contributions to GDP from 14% to 20% by 2030, along with a goal of having 5% of GDP come from the green economy.

Duaa Salima, Executive Director of the IMC, said, “This MoU will enable us to work together to reduce emissions in high-emitting industries, facilitate knowledge exchange, and accelerate investment decisions for green industrial projects.”

She also highlighted the importance of government support in aligning national targets with global sustainability goals. “Collaboration between government and industry is key to ensuring that we meet our emissions reduction targets while fostering economic growth.”

Through this partnership, the ITA and the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) will identify and support key industrial projects, aiming to fast-track investment decisions in the next two years and ensure that these projects become operational by 2030. These efforts will contribute to achieving the climate objectives outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Faustine Delasalle, Executive Director of the ITA, said, “With its established energy infrastructure, growing renewable energy capacity, and close trade ties to the EU, Egypt is well-positioned to become a major supplier of low-carbon industrial goods,” Delasalle stated.

The ITA’s successful country partnership model has already supported projects in Brazil, the UAE, and Bahrain, identifying more than 45 green industrial projects with over $100 billion in investment opportunities. These efforts will continue to accelerate the decarbonization of key sectors across MENA.

The ITA will provide tailored support for project developers, addressing key barriers such as policy alignment, demand for green products, and the development of low-emission value chains. Additionally, the initiative will create risk mitigation mechanisms to encourage investment in sustainable industrial projects across the region.

Through this partnership, Egypt, the UAE, and Bahrain are taking bold steps toward realizing a low-carbon industrial future for the MENA region.