Amr Emam

Amr Emam is a Cairo-based journalist. He has contributed to the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle and the UN news site IRIN. On Twitter: @dreamyworld33

Egypt | Apr 24, 2023

Egypt charges tourist ships in dollars as greenback crisis spirals

Egypt commits tourist boats arriving in its ports to pay in US dollars amid a tough dollar shortage crisis in the populous country.

Cruise ship A Sara is moored on the Nile River, where 45 suspected COVID-19 cases were detected and evacuated two days prior, Luxor, Egypt, March 9, 2020.

Egypt | Apr 9, 2023

Egypt's rate hike viewed with skepticism as inflation persists

Economists question the logic behind Egypt's new interest rate hike, especially after previous raises failed to bring the inflation rate down.

In this picture taken on March 22, 2023, a woman speaks with a merchant as she shops for dates at the traditional Rod el-Farag market in northern Cairo during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. - Muslims follow the tradition set by the prophet Mohammed whom believers say used to break his fast by eating dates and drinking goat's milk during the holy month. The dawn-to-dusk fast is conceived as a spiritual struggle against the seduction of earthly pleasures, but the evening iftar festive meals traditi

Egypt | Mar 24, 2023

This Ramadan, food prices change Egypt's longstanding Iftar customs

Surging food prices force Egyptians to strictly stick to the basics ahead of Ramadan.

People buy traditional lanterns and foodstuff ahead of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan at the market Sayyida Zeinab district, Cairo, Egypt, March 12, 2023.

Egypt | Mar 12, 2023

Major bitcoin fraud case rattles Egypt

Hundreds of Egyptians were swindled by an international crypto mining company, raising controversy over the digital currency that has grown in popularity in cash-strapped Egypt.

A man counts Egyptian pounds at a currency exchange shop, Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 3, 2016.

Egypt | Jan 29, 2023

In Egypt, economic heat of Russia's war in Ukraine is only getting worse

Average Egyptians told Al-Monitor that everything from the price of tomatoes to bread is taking a toll on daily life and household decisions as country's economy reels under the heavy toll of the war in Ukraine.

People walk past a fruit seller's stall in the Azhar district of Cairo

Egypt | Dec 24, 2022

Secondhand clothes offer Egyptians respite as inflation skyrockets

With living expenses rising and temperatures dropping and inflation surging to a five-year high of 18.7%, many Egyptians are looking to buy secondhand clothes at Wekalat al-Balah, Egypt's most famous used clothing market in the center of Cairo

A general view shows headscarves for sale at Khan al-Khalili market, Cairo, Egypt, May 20, 2016.

Egypt | Nov 22, 2022

Egypt to allow World Cup fans in, aspiring for more tourist inflows

Egypt will allow World Cup fans to enter without visas, amid hopes that tourism revenues will partially solve its grueling foreign currency crisis.

Tourists ride camels at the Giza pyramids necropolis with (foreground to background) the Pyramid of Menkaure (Menkheres), Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren) and Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), Giza, Egypt, Oct. 27, 2022.

Egypt | Nov 2, 2022

Can floating Egyptian pound kill foreign currency black market?

Egypt's latest flotation of its currency may rein in its thriving foreign currency black market, but economists cannot see an end to this market in the near future.

The Egyptian pound and US dollar banknotes are seen in this photo taken on Aug. 25, 2022.

Egypt | Oct 9, 2022

Egypt's released political prisoners get economic aid

A presidential initiative puts former political detainees on economic track after their release.

Inmates performing in a band are seen during a government-guided tour for the media,at the Correctional and Rehabilitation Center in Badr city, east of Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 22, 2022.

Egypt | Sep 15, 2022

Egyptian pound continues to lose value

Economists expect Egypt's central bank to loosen its grip on the exchange rate of the Egyptian pound in its meeting later this month, but the possible move is fraught with fears from a sharp rise in commodity prices.