SLB's Karim Badawi appointed as Egypt's new Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced the appointment of Karim Badawi as the new Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, according to the official presidency website.

This decision underscores Badawi’s extensive experience in the energy sector and marks a strategic move in the newly formed cabinet by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

The Prime Minister was reappointed by President El-Sisi following the resignation of the previous government.

This reshuffle marks the fourth of its kind under Madbouly, who has been serving as premier since June 2018. President El-Sisi, recently elected for a third term in December 2023, began his new term in April.

Former Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Tarek El-Molla, has served this post since June 2015, according to state-owned newspaper Al Ahram online.

Minister Badawi's experience spans over 28 years in the energy sector. Badawi began his professional journey with Schlumberger (now SLB) in 1996 as a Field Engineer. His career has seen him take on various roles and assignments across the globe, including stints in Egypt, UK, France, US, Russia, UAE and Central Asia.

Since 2023, Badawi has been serving as the Director of SLB New Energy for the Middle East & North Africa. In this role, he has been responsible for developing SLB’s portfolios in carbon solutions, geothermal and geoenergy, critical minerals, stationary energy storage, and hydrogen.

Karim Badawi is well-equipped academically, holding a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Mechanical Engineering from the American University in Cairo. Additionally, he holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Erasmus University in Rotterdam.

The new cabinet formation by Prime Minister Madbouly is indicative of the government’s commitment to leveraging experienced professionals to drive Egypt’s strategic sectors forward. Badawi’s extensive expertise and leadership are expected to significantly contribute to the nation’s energy and mineral resource development goals. His appointment reflects a clear strategy to harness experienced leadership in navigating the complexities of the energy sector.

As Karim Badawi steps into his new role, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources anticipates a period of growth and innovation under his guidance. The government’s emphasis on experienced and knowledgeable leadership aims to bolster Egypt’s position in the global energy landscape.