Eco Nubia: a model to revive Egypt’s heritage while preserving the environment | African Development Bank

Located a short distance from the famous Aswan High Dam, the Temple of Philae, on the islet of Aguilkya, immerses visitors in the history of ancient Egypt. Dedicated to the protective goddess Isis, the bas-reliefs and murals make it an exquisite country retreat.

Aboard his small motorboat, Ahmed Yehia sails serenely to this treasure of Egyptian heritage, nestled in the heart of the ancient Nubian land.

“Just next door I discovered Bigeh, a magical island that had been abandoned by its inhabitants a few years earlier. I wanted to help refurbish and repopulate it while creating value in a sustainable way,” says Yehia, the founder- manager of Eco Nubia, the first ecolodge in Aswan.

The project was relaunched in January 2018 and received support from “Tanmia wa Tatweer”, the Egyptian Entrepreneurship Development Initiative funded by the Danish-Arab Partnership Program and implemented by the African Development Bank. It aims to revive Nubian culture and create a new place for ecotourism in Egypt, serving local and international clients. Using natural materials from different regions of the country, the revival of Bigeh has created jobs for the local community.

“In collaboration with the Nubian community, we have put Bigeh on the map of Egyptian ecotourism,” says Yehia. The fully equipped lodge is open all year round and overlooks the Temple of Philae. It has a banquet hall and a restaurant serving traditional Nubian dishes. cuisine based on organic products grown on site.

Consisting of nine rooms built of granite and mud, the ecolodge also has facilities for a wide variety of activities, including kayaking and swimming, sightseeing and Nubian craft markets.

Eco Nubia has brought the deserted island back to life. The facility now employs about 30 people, a third of them women. Since 2018, five Nubian houses have been rebuilt and decorated in the Nubian tradition. An integrated network of electricity, water and sewerage has also been created for the islanders, matching the environment.

The facility has attracted tourists worldwide. It has received praise from the United Nations World Tourism Organization and the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism for its outstanding achievements in sustainable development. The ecolodge attracts local and international media, including the American channel CNN, which devoted a special program to it.

“Our own farm produces what we consume,” says Ahmed Yehia.

Facility owners have built a community center and workstations for eco-friendly Nubian crafts and created new jobs for about 50 Nubian families, including women. With an area of ​​80 square meters, the community center is built according to the principles of Nubian architecture. It now sits enthroned on top of a small mountain to provide a panoramic view of the surrounding area, which carries a part of the history of ancient Nubia.

“We also want to help the people of Bigeh rebuild their houses using traditional materials and the same ancient techniques of Nubian architecture, while preserving the natural environment of the island,” says Ahmed Yehia.