Qatar’s Al Mana Holding has announced a substantial investment of $200 million to establish a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility within Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE). The new plant, operated by "Saf Fly Limited," is expected to produce 200,000 tonnes of SAF, BioPropane, and Bio Naphtha annually, utilizing refined used cooking oil as feedstock. The project underscores Qatar’s first industrial foray into the Egyptian economic zone and is supported by a long-term agreement with Shell, scheduled to start supply of the fuel by the end of 2027.
The Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, emphasized that the project strengthens the SCZONE’s renewable energy initiatives and aligns with environmental standards for aviation. The agreement also highlights improved relations between Egypt and Qatar, with the top officials expressing mutual interest in increasing joint investment ventures. The facility will span an area of 100,000 square meters—split between the industrial zone and Sokhna Port—representing a total investment of approximately EGP 9.6 billion.
Environmental and Economic Significance
Walid Gamal El-Din, Chairperson of SCZONE, explained that the project could reduce harmful emissions by between 50 and 80 percent compared to conventional fuels, demonstrating the ecological benefits of the initiative. He highlighted that the zone’s strategic location, infrastructure, and legislative support make it highly conducive to such investments. Abdulaziz Al Mana, CEO of Al Mana Holding, recognized the positive climate for investment in Egypt and expressed optimism about the partnership’s prospects.
The signing ceremony was attended by Captain Ahmed Gamal, SCZONE Vice Chairperson for the Southern Zone, and Saad Mohammed Al Mana, Board Member of Al Mana Holding. The Sokhna zone is among several industrial zones and ports within SCZONE, covering about 210 square kilometers, designed to facilitate seamless import and export activities to support the project’s operational needs.
