Cairo Governorate () is one of the 27 governorates of Egypt. It is formed of the city of Cairo, both the national capital of Egypt and the governorate's, in addition to five satellite cities: the New Administrative Capital - set to become the seat of national government, New Cairo, Shourok, Badr, Capital Gardens, and 15th of May. These cities form almost half of the Greater Cairo metropolitan area by population.
As one of three city-states in Egypt, where the Cairo governor is also the head of the city. This rightfully creates much confusion and synonymity between the Governorate of Cairo, and the city, though officially they are two semidistinct levels of local government, and as with other governorates, the governor is appointed by the president.
Overview
Parts of the governorate - the Helwan district and the satellite cities, were spun off in April 2008 to form the Helwan Governorate, only to be reincorporated into the Cairo Governorate in April 2011.
Municipal divisions
The governorate is divided into the city of Cairo, and the unallocated desert hinter land (al-zahir al-sahrawi).
Cairo city is subdivided into four Areas (manatiq) headed by a deputy governor each, and 38 Districts (ahya', sing. Hayy) with their own governor appointed heads. Some districts are represented by one police station (qism, plr. aqsam), while others may be subdivided by two or more.
The Northern Area divided into 8 Districts:
Shubra, Al-Zawiya al-Hamra, Hadayek al-Kobba, Rod al-Farg, al-Sharabiya, al-Sahel, al-Zaytoun, and Al-Amiriya
The Eastern Area divided into 9 Districts:
Misr al-Gadidah (Heliopolis), Al-Nozha, Nasr City East (Sharq Madinet Nasr), Nasr City West (Gharb Madinet Nasr), al-Salam Awwal, al-Salam Thani, al-Matariya, and al-Marg.
The Western Area divided into 9 Districts:
Manshiyat Nasser, Al-Wayli, Wasat al-Qahira (Qism: Al-Darb al-Ahmar, al-Gamaliyya, al-Hussein), Boulaq, Gharb El-Qahira (Zamalek, Garden City, Down Town), Abdeen, Al-Azbakiya, al-Muski, and Bab El-Shaaria.
The Southern Area divided into 12 Districts:
Masr El-Qadima (Old Cairo), al-Khalifa, al-Moqattam, al-Basatin, Dar El-Salam, El-Sayeda Zeinab, al-Tebin, Helwan, al-Ma'sara, al-Maadi, Tora, and .
In addition to Cairo City, there are five satellite cities that are under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities who chairs the New Urban Communities Authority that directly controls them (planning, land sales, zoning), while the governorate departments (muduriyat) control police and select public services (education, health, subsidised food). The more populated ones are subdivided into qisms, while the ones still under construction are yet to have governorate representation. These cities are:
New Cairo (Qism 1,2,3)
Badr (Qism
15th of May (Qism
New Administrative Capital (Under construction)
Capital Gardens (Under construction)
As of January 2023, the municipal divisions had a total estimated population as of 10,203,693.
Governors
Current
On 30 August 2018, Khaled Abdel-Aal Abdel-Hafez was appointed governor of Cairo Governorate.
Former
Atef Abdelhamid, 7 September 2016 - 12 August 2018
Galal Mustafa Said, 13 August 2013 - 23 March 2016
Osama Kamal, 29 January 2013 - 12 August 2013
Abdel Kawi Khalifa, 14 April 2011 - 12 August 2012
Abdel Azim Wazir, 9 July 2004 - 14 April 2011
Abdel Rehim Shehata, 8 July 1997 - 14 July 2004
Mohammed Omar Abdel Akhar, 2 May 1991 - 7 July 1997
Mahmoud Sherif, 18 April 1989 - 19 May 1991
Yousef Sabri Abu Taleb, 13 March 1983 - 14 April 1989
Mohammed Saad El-Din Maamoun, 15 May 1977 - 12 March 1983
Industrial zones
According to the Egyptian Governing Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), in affiliation with the Ministry of Investment (MOI), the following industrial zones are located in this governorate: Torah and Shaq Al Tho'ban South Helwan Katamia Shaq Al Tho'ban Al Robeky Al Maasara Division Maadi Company for Development and Reconstruction Egypt-Ismailia. Road - Al Nozha District El Salam City El Marg District El Sharabya District (New urban community industrial zone) Badr City (New urban community industrial zone) 15 May (New urban community industrial zone) New Cairo (New urban community industrial zone) Al Shrouk
Due to its congestion and overcrowded streets, Cairo is not attractive to investors. UN-Habitat is promoting alternative methods of transportation with the aim of relieving these issues.