Egypt Begins a New Era of Monitoring Used Cooking Oils and Converting Them into Biofuel

Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Environment, announced unprecedented regulatory measures to control the used cooking oil system, in implementation of Decision No. 150 of 2025.

The minister said seven official licenses have been granted to companies for collecting, transporting, and storing used cooking oils, with registration on the electronic WIMS platform.

WIMS is part of the system affiliated with the authority responsible for organizing, monitoring, evaluating, and developing all activities related to integrated waste management. It also aims to attract and encourage investment in the sector to achieve sustainable development, follow up on required plans in cooperation with state institutions, the private sector, and international organizations, and support Egypt’s relations with the international and regional community in waste management.

The minister also noted that nine export permits had been issued in this area.

In press statements, the minister said the objective of the step is to integrate the informal sector into the official system, ensuring traceability and control and preventing oils from reaching unlicensed backyard factories.

The ministry is also preparing a guidance manual defining the standards and requirements for obtaining licenses, while planning to launch tenders in governorates to increase collected quantities and link them to major investment projects.

The ministry said the move does not only generate economic returns, but also protects sewage infrastructure from blockages caused by dumping oils. It also opens prospects for exporting biofuel produced from used cooking oils, supporting foreign currency revenues and reinforcing Egypt’s leadership in circular economy applications.

The minister explained that used cooking oils had long been a “lost treasure,” as they were either leaked into sewage networks or reused in unsafe ways that threatened public health.

Today, these oils have become a raw material for vital industries such as biofuel, ending informal practices and opening a new era of monitoring and transparency.