Smart Real Estate: From Luxury to Necessity – Orange Egypt and Al Ahly Sabbour Lead the Transformation
At Cityscape Egypt 2025, one of the country’s most prominent real estate exhibitions and conferences, industry leaders highlighted the rising importance of smart real estate solutions in shaping the future of Egypt’s property market.
During the high-profile “CEOs Panel,” Hisham Mehrez, CEO of Orange Egypt, and Eng. Ahmed Sabbour, Chairman and Managing Director of Al Ahly Sabbour for Real Estate Development, joined Nermeen Magdy, Managing Director of Property Finder Egypt, to discuss the role of technology, market trends, and the outlook for real estate investments.
“Smart properties are no longer a luxury”
Hisham Mehrez emphasized that smart housing has become a necessity rather than an option. He revealed that Orange Egypt is collaborating with leading developers, including Al Ahly Sabbour, to transform homes and offices into fully integrated smart units built on security, efficiency, and sustainability.
“Technology is no longer just a support tool—it is now a primary driver of real estate markets worldwide,” said Mehrez. “Smart homes add significant investment value, provide safety and convenience for residents, and support energy efficiency and sustainability.”
He pointed to practical solutions such as remote home management and smart locks operated via QR codes, which allow secure access for visitors even when residents are away. “These are not futuristic ideas; they are practical, real-world solutions already in place,” he added.
“No real estate bubble in Egypt”
On the market outlook, Eng. Ahmed Sabbour dismissed speculation about a potential real estate bubble. “Egypt needs around one million housing units annually, while only about 650,000 units are built. Demand consistently exceeds supply, which means there is no bubble,” he affirmed.
Sabbour also highlighted the surge in Egypt’s real estate exports, which grew from $500 million two years ago to $1.6 billion today, with projections to surpass $4 billion annually in the near future. He noted that demand spans various segments, from mid-range housing to luxury units priced between EGP 7–8 million, with growing interest from Gulf and European investors.
Regional expansion and new investment hubs
The Al Ahly Sabbour chief stressed that real estate development is no longer confined to Greater Cairo. “We are witnessing a strong push into regional cities such as Mansoura and Mahalla, as well as large-scale projects in North Coast, the Red Sea, and emerging cities like New Zayed and New Cairo’s Sixth Settlement,” he said.
Data-driven decision making
Joining the discussion, Nermeen Magdy of Property Finder Egypt underlined the importance of data and digital analytics in helping developers and investors navigate the market. “Access to accurate data enables more informed decision-making and sharper insights into opportunities,” she noted.
The future: safety, efficiency, and sustainability
With more than 50,000 visitors attending Cityscape Egypt 2025, the event underscored the vibrancy of Egypt’s property sector. Both Mehrez and Sabbour agreed that the future lies in embracing digital transformation, ensuring security and efficiency, and expanding sustainably to meet the needs of one of the region’s fastest-growing markets.