Cairo regained normal nightlife on Tuesday after the Egyptian government eased energy-saving measures it had taken in light of the crisis resulting from the war in the Middle East, which forced shops, cafes and restaurants to close early. Egypt was severely affected by the war in the Middle East, as it relies heavily on imported fuel.

Published on: 04/29/2026 - 08:33

After the government in Egypt lifted energy saving measures, the easing of measures was evident in Heliopolis (Heliopolis), a historic neighborhood in eastern Cairo known for its wide streets, early twentieth-century architecture, and café culture.

On Sunday, the government announced the lifting of measures, allowing cafes and restaurants to remain open until one in the morning. Stores and commercial centers can now keep their doors open until eleven in the evening on weekdays, and until midnight on weekends.

At the beginning of this month, the Egyptian government announced a decision to close early for at least a month, requiring stores to close at nine in the evening during the week and at ten during the weekend.

This decision led to a radical change in the life of Cairo, which its fans always described as “watchful.”

At 10 p.m., the time when the cafes were supposed to close under the initial decision, the tables were full. Lights illuminated buildings as friends gathered to smoke shisha and families strolled the streets. Residents pointed out that the change was not limited to working hours only.

Read also: Egypt decides to close restaurants and commercial centers at night to confront the rise in fuel prices

"People had depression."

Ahmed Mujahid, an 82-year-old retiree, said, “People were depressed,” adding, “With the rise in prices, high prices, and pressures, people need to entertain themselves.”

Before the decision, the streets of Cairo, which has a population of more than 20 million, were crowded, especially on weekends, with families out for a walk and young people gathering in cafés with music blaring.

While the decision was in effect, evenings ended with people rushing to finish work and purchase necessities before the lights went out and the doors closed at nine, while police patrols passed by to ensure compliance with instructions, with fines amounting to 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($946) for violators, while repeating the violation exposed them to the risk of imprisonment.

As the street lights went out, residents returned to their homes through dark neighborhoods, while movie theaters, usually packed with late showings, remained dark.

Egypt was severely affected by the war in the Middle East, as it relies heavily on imported fuel.

According to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Egypt's monthly energy import bill more than doubled between January and March, reaching $2.5 billion.

Since the start of the war, the value of the Egyptian pound has decreased by about 15%, while the inflation rate in March reached 13.6%.

France 24/AFP

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