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By Correspondent, Cairo
Egypt and Rwanda agreed to integrate flood protection works with the construction of rainwater harvesting dams at a priority site using nature-based solutions, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam said on Sunday.
Sewilam said the approach would help maximize project returns, protect dams, reduce erosion and sedimentation, and enhance long-term sustainability.
The remarks came during Sewilam’s meeting with a Rwandan delegation participating in the second meeting of the Egypt-Rwanda Joint Steering Committee, held from May 11 to 14, to follow up on the two countries’ MoU in water resources management.
The minister said recommendations issued during the committee meeting would help advance cooperation toward practical implementation and establish a clear roadmap for implementing the MoU.
Sewilam welcomed progress made in identifying four proposed sites for groundwater stations and launching the geophysical studies needed.
He expressed hope that the implementation of the project would begin on the ground as soon as possible.
Sewilam also praised advances in capacity building and expertise transfer, including preparations for the first joint training program scheduled for June 2026 and cooperation in groundwater exploration.
The minister stressed that technical cooperation between Egypt and Nile Basin countries represents a successful model for regional partnership delivering tangible benefits to local communities.
He noted Egypt’s recent launch of a $100 million regional financing mechanism to support development projects in southern Nile Basin countries.
Sewilam also invited the Rwandan delegation to participate in Cairo Water Week 2026, scheduled for October 25-29 under the theme “Water as a Catalyst for Peace, Shared Prosperity, and a Sustainable Planet.”
