Bringing NextGen Growth to life in Egypt
KHALED EL DOKANI
CEO of Holcim Egypt
Egypt, Africa’s second largest economy, is a rapidly urbanizing and modernizing country with a dynamic, well-educated workforce. The population is growing and the nation’s rapidly growing cities are welcoming almost 1 million new citizens – every year.
With Holcim best placed to capitalize on these megatrends shaping the future of sustainable construction, we spoke to Khaled El Dokani, CEO of Holcim Egypt, about how his team is making NextGen Growth a reality in this attractive market.
How are you bringing NextGen Growth to life locally?
For us at Holcim Egypt, NextGen Growth is not just a strategic pillar, it’s a transformation journey delivering tangible results across performance, innovation, and sustainability.
In 2025, we significantly strengthened our financial position, achieving exponential year-on-year growth – a clear signal of the resilience and health of our business model. We're reinvesting this momentum into areas that unlock long-term value: capacity debottlenecking, digital technologies, talent development and sustainable product innovation.
In Egypt, we’re driving NextGen Growth by capitalizing on:
Why is Egypt such an attractive construction market?
Egypt’s construction sector is one of the fastest-growing in the region, driven by strong macroeconomic fundamentals and a bold national development agenda. For example, with a projected CAGR of 7.6 to 8.4% through 2030, the construction market is set to exceed USD 565 billion in total pipeline value.
We’re also seeing a government-driven infrastructure boom. Public investment powers over 70% of national construction spending, with strategic megaprojects reshaping the country’s urban, transport, and energy landscapes. This long-term demand across housing, infrastructure, and industrial sectors is, of course, fueled by Egypt’s rapid demographic and urbanization trends. Here too, as the leading partner for sustainable construction, Holcim Egypt is well-positioned to enable and accelerate this transformation sustainably.
How is sustainability driving profitable growth?
At Holcim Egypt, sustainability is a catalyst for innovation and profitability. Through Geocycle Egypt we’ve become a leader in waste co-processing, converting over 500,000 tons of waste annually, equivalent to 22,000 truckloads, into alternative fuels. This has significantly lowered our clinker factor and reduced CO2 emissions, while cutting energy costs.
We produce over 50% of our alternative fuels in-house, enhancing quality and operational efficiency. As a result, our Sokhna Plant ranks among Holcim’s top global performers in thermal substitution — a true testament to how decarbonization and performance go hand in hand.
Looking ahead, we’re exploring innovative recycling solutions like blending bypass dust and construction demolition materials to produce sustainable bricks, opening new markets in circular construction and supporting Holcim’s NextGen Growth vision.
How are you expanding high-value building solutions?
We're transforming our offering beyond traditional products to deliver integrated, high-value solutions tailored to modern construction demands. For example, we’re scaling low-carbon and sustainable building solutions like ECOPact, Hydromedia, as well as sustainable dry mortar technologies. Digital and technical services help us provide technical advisory, application support, and performance-based solutions to help our clients build smarter and faster.
Strategic partnerships are also key. Collaborating with contractors and developers on major projects — such as New Alamein, Ras El Hekma, and transport corridors — to co-develop sustainable construction methods is what helps us lead the shift from commodity materials to value-adding, sustainable systems that support the future of Egypt’s construction industry.
How are you bringing the Holcim Spirit to life?
At the core of our strategy lies the Holcim Spirit of Purpose, People and Performance, which gives us the culture we need to unlock NextGen Growth 2030 across the world.
Purpose: Building Progress for People and the Planet
In Egypt we’re fully aligned with Holcim’s mission — driving sustainable innovation to meet local needs. Whether it’s low-carbon products, circularity, or community partnerships, we are delivering impact where it matters most!
People: Our Competitive Edge
Our people are shaping Holcim’s success both locally and globally. Over the past year, we’ve exported talent to key markets including Switzerland, the Philippines, Algeria, and Lebanon, reflecting the strength of our leadership and technical depth. We continue to invest in digital fluency, agile practices, and leadership development, making Egypt a recognized talent hub in Holcim MEA.
Performance: Innovation-Driven Excellence
Our performance culture is rooted in data, digitalization, and agility. For example, Holcim Egypt was named the #1 plant globally in Holcim’s Plants of Tomorrow program. We are also leveraging AI for predictive maintenance and piloting smart systems for Health & Safety monitoring (PPE compliance, hazard detection, etc). Our cross-functional teams use real-time dashboards and automation tools to streamline operations and boost responsiveness.
This integrated focus on Purpose, People and Performance keeps us ahead — and keeps Egypt on the global map. Ultimately, everything comes down to our dedicated, diverse and skilled people who work so tirelessly for us here in Egypt. You ensure we build on our status as the leading partner for sustainable construction, creating superior value across the built environment.
Growth starts with us!
Our stories
