The long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum opens after years of delays, positioning itself as the new global epicentre for Egyptology and a cornerstone of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi infrastructure-driven economic strategy.
In a lavish ceremony on Saturday 30 January, attended by a host of international dignitaries, Egypt officially inaugurated the museum. The Egyptian presidency hailed the event as “an exceptional event in the history of human culture and civilisation.” Tight security enveloped Cairo for the occasion, with the government declaring a public holiday to mark the milestone.
The opening culminates a journey that began with construction in 2005, a timeline repeatedly extended by political instability following the 2011 uprising.
Members of the media attend Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s news conference ahead of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) opening ceremony, near the Giza pyramid complex, in Giza, Egypt, on November 1, 2025 [Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters]
A dedicated bridge now links the museum to the pyramids, allowing tourists to travel between the sites on foot or by electric vehicle.
The architectural centrepiece is a grand, six-storey staircase ascending from the atrium, lined with statues of Egyptian gods and kings, which leads to the main galleries and offers a stunning view of the pyramids.
The museum collection is organised chronologically and thematically across 12 main galleries, displaying antiquities from prehistory through the Greco-Roman period.
A primary draw is the unprecedented display of the treasures of King Tutankhamun. For the first time since its discovery by Howard Carter in 1922, the entire collection of approximately 5,000 artefacts from the boy king tomb will be on public view.
Housed in two dedicated halls, the exhibit represents a landmark moment for archaeologists and enthusiasts alike, showcasing the full scope of the tomb opulence.
In a post on Facebook, President Sisi framed the museum as a fusion of “the genius of ancient Egyptians and the creativity of modern Egyptians,” creating a new global landmark for “culture and knowledge.”
A general view before the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), near great Giza Pyramids, which will be attended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and other head state officials and key figures, in Giza, Egypt, November 1, 2025. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
Beyond its cultural significance, the Grand Egyptian Museum is a critical component of Egypt’s economic policy. The government is banking on the museum to significantly boost tourist numbers and lengthen their stays, providing a crucial source of scarce foreign currency.
Tourism is a linchpin of the Egyptian economy, contributing about 8% of the gross domestic product. In 2024, the country welcomed a record 15.7 million visitors, and the official ambition is to double that figure to 30 million annually by 2032.
The museum is one of several megaprojects championed by Sisi, who has invested heavily in infrastructure since taking office in 2014 in an effort to rejuvenate an economy weakened by decades of stagnation and political turmoil.
To support this vision, the government has revamped the entire area around Giza, paving roads and constructing a new metro station outside the museum gates. Sphinx International Airport, opened west of Cairo, provides another access point just 40 minutes away.
The Grand Egyptian Museum will open its doors to the general public on Tuesday, offering the world a new, breathtaking window into ancient civilisation while shouldering the modern-day hopes of a nation.
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