Egyptian Refining Company

Project description

This summary covers an equity investment by Deutsche Investitions und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG) of Germany in Egyptian Refining Company SAE (ERC) in Egypt. The investor has applied for a MIGA guarantee of $26 million for a period of up to eight years against the risk of war and civil disturbance.[1]

The project consists of the construction of a $3.7 billion, 91,000 barrel per day hydro-cracking and coking facility in Mostorod, Greater Cairo. ERC will upgrade locally available refinery atmospheric residue into lighter products, such as diesel and jet fuel, for the domestic Egyptian market. The project will also include environmental upgrades to the adjoining facilities of state-owned Cairo Oil Refining Company and Petroleum Pipeline Company.

In addition to DEG, this project is supported by a number of development finance institutions—among them the International Finance Corporation, the African Development Bank, and the European Investment Bank. 

Environmental Categorization

The project is a category A under MIGA’s Policy on Social and Environmental Sustainability. An environmental and social review summary (ESRS) for the project was prepared by IFC in 2010. This summary will be updated and disclosed on MIGA’s website when it is available. Click here to view the ESRS prepared by IFC.

Development Impact

The project will optimize domestic production of low-sulfur refined products, thus addressing domestic consumer and industrial demand. It will also increase domestic capacity for upgrading locally available atmospheric residue into lighter products for the domestic market, thereby bringing significant environmental benefits, as well as savings through import substitution. ERC will make substantial contributions to government revenues, including through corporate taxes, customs duties on imported equipment, and sales taxes on domestic purchases. The project is expected to create 700 direct jobs, as well as employ 7000 workers from nearby communities during the peak construction phase. ERC has already provided vocational training to local workers and expects to undertake over $5 million in community investment outlays by the end of the construction period.

The proposed project is consistent with the joint IBRD/IFC Interim Strategy Note for Egypt, especially the pillars relating to improving economic management and job creation. By supporting this project MIGA sends a positive signal to potential investors that the Agency is open for business in Egypt, contributing to greater investor confidence in the country.

The project is consistent with MIGA’s strategy of facilitating investment into complex projects, as well as its efforts to support foreign direct investment into the Middle East and North Africa by mobilizing $1 billion in insurance capacity.

[1] This guarantee was cancelled on July 9, 2019