Grand Egyptian Museum Unveiled in Cairo After Decades of Delays

Egypt has officially inaugurated the long-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo, marking a significant milestone in its cultural and tourism landscape. With an investment of approximately $1 billion (around $1.7 billion), the museum opened its doors to guests amid a vibrant ceremony featuring performers in traditional attire. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi addressed the gathering, stating, “Today, as we celebrate together the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, we are writing a new chapter in the history of the present and the future.”

The GEM, which has been a cornerstone of Egypt’s efforts to revitalize its tourism sector, showcases tens of thousands of artefacts that span over six millennia. The opening ceremony included a captivating display of light and music, with the iconic pyramids serving as a backdrop. Attendees were treated to performances by artists dressed in elaborate Pharaonic costumes, complete with golden wreaths and traditional instruments, as lasers illuminated the night sky.

Decades in the Making

The museum’s opening comes after more than two decades of delays caused by various factors, including political unrest, regional conflicts, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Mostafa Madbouly, the Egyptian Prime Minister, remarked, “This is the dream that all of us imagined. We all dreamed that this project would be realised.” Located on a gentle slope near the Giza Plateau, the museum encompasses nearly 500,000 square metres and has benefited from substantial financial and technical support from Japan.

According to officials, the GEM houses over 100,000 artefacts, with half of them on display, making it the largest collection dedicated to a single civilization. The interior features spacious, well-lit halls adorned with sand-coloured stone walls, echoing the surrounding desert landscape. A standout attraction within the museum is an 83-tonne statue of Ramses II, who ruled Egypt for 66 years, symbolizing the nation’s rich heritage.

Visitors will experience immersive galleries, precision lighting, and virtual-reality exhibits, along with a dedicated children’s museum. A live conservation lab allows guests to observe restorers working on a 4,500-year-old solar boat, originally buried near Khufu’s pyramid. Another highlight is the extensive collection of artefacts from King Tutankhamun, with over 5,000 objects displayed together for the first time.

Tourism Revival Efforts

The GEM is set to open to the public on Wednesday, March 15, 2025, showcasing numerous funerary artefacts previously scattered across Egypt. The tourism sector, crucial for Egypt’s economy, has faced numerous challenges over the past decade, including the 2011 uprising and subsequent unrest. Recently, however, tourism has shown signs of recovery, with 15 million visitors recorded in the first nine months of 2025, generating $12.5 billion, a 21% increase from the previous year.

Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism, anticipates that total tourist arrivals will reach 18 million by the end of this year, with the museum expected to attract five million visitors annually. Currently, the GEM welcomes between 5,000 and 6,000 visitors each day, with hopes to increase that number to 15,000 daily.

The Grand Egyptian Museum stands as a testament to Egypt’s rich cultural heritage and its commitment to reviving the tourism industry, promising a bright future for both the nation and its visitors.