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Hossam Abougabal is a reporter at the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED), covering construction, government and politics in Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Bahrain. He has been living and writing in the Middle East since 2011 and has focused on the key issues shaping the region. More recently, he has closely tracked the Egyptian economic revival story since March 2015, the impact of the Syrian/Iraqi refugee crisis on neighbouring Levant countries, as well as the slump in oil prices that has coincided with the opening up of the Iranian market.
Abougabal is of Egyptian origin and was raised in London. He holds both an undergraduate degree in politics and international relations and masters in International Law from the University of Surrey.
I.M.F. Reforms Not Enough to Repair Egypt’s Economy
Addressing Egypt’s economic woes remains a matter of urgency for the stability of the government and the country as a whole. Egypt’s economic recovery plan, which was spearheaded by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in 2015, promised an improvement in living standards and social justice in the Middle East’s most populous nation. More than two years since the president assumed power, living standards have yet to see much improvement.
Resolving Egypt’s Housing Crisis Crucial to Long-Term Stability
With a population growing at a rate of approximately 2 percent per year, Egypt is faced with an urbanization crisis, as many of its cities find themselves increasingly overcrowded. Egypt’s housing crisis affects millions across the country, and, if the Sisi government is looking to further consolidate its power, it must ensure that it maintains the support of the country’s poor urban communities, which have historically revolted against worsening living conditions.
