Egypt’s president orders ERTU debt restructuring
August 30, 2026

By Chris Forrester



Egypt’s Board of the National Media Authority (NMA) has expressed its appreciation to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi for his ruling that the debts of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU). ERTU is the State-backed broadcaster which operates from the iconic Nile-side broadcasting complex known as the Maspero building, which amounts to EGP 88.3 billion (about €1.4 billion).

A considerable portion of this sum is understood to be owed to Cairo-based Nilesat, which has long complained about the debts due to it by the ERTU.


However, the debt is not actually being paid in cash. The NMA has signed an agreement with the National Investment Bank to clear the EGP 88.3 billion by transferring state media land assets to the bank, a finance ministry official claimed. Ownership of the properties, valued at approximately 88 billion Egyptia pounds, will transfer to the National Investment Bank in the coming days.

The swapped assets include 44 land parcels across Cairo and several governorates previously used for production studios, art facilities, and television transmission sites, the official said.

“The board affirmed that the President’s support for public-service media and his commitment to resolving the challenges facing the national media sector, in a manner that contributes to achieving professional excellence and financial sustainability, will remain deeply appreciated by the Maspero family and the wider Egyptian media community, said a statement.