The still unnamed capital, which is estimated to cost $45bn, will have 700km2 and will be located along the highway that connects Cairo and the Red sea.

It is projected that between 5 to 7 million people will reside in the new city. Within the city, new ministerial buildings, 15,000 low to middle income residences, hospitals, mosques and an airport are to be built, among others.

The construction is scheduled to be completed within 12 years, with up to 1.5m jobs being created in its first phase.