Egypt has two registration systems: Sigueal el-shaksi (sometimes called the “deeds” system), and Sigueal el-ainee (sometimes called the “title” system). Sigueal elshaksi (deeds) is the older of the two and operates in urban areas. Sigueal el-ainee (title) was introduced in 1964 with the intent of converting the entire country to a registration-of-title-type system but it has been implemented only in rural areas.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has made a policy commitment to transform its obsolete and incomplete registry that uses a Personal (Grantor-Grantee) Index and handwritten Deeds of Title to prove ownership into a modern civil law registry, encompassing all residential and commercial property and providing a unique Parcel Identification Number (PIN) for every parcel and unit. This intended transformation will substantially increase certainty of ownership and provide an essential basis for collateralizing real estate finance.
The Egyptian Financial Service (EFS) Project is assisting with the implementation of Sigueal el-ainee in urban areas. More specifically, this task requires the redesign of business processes under Law 142/1964, development of streamlined and automated processes and implementation of Sigueal el-ainee in two selected urban areas. The two areas selected are Nasr City and 6 October City. Smaller cadastral zones within these two areas that will provide for approximately 30,000 real estate properties or objects (apartments, villas, etc.) to be surveyed have not been determined to date.
The Purpose of the Manual
This Manual will eventually present in a comprehensive manner the full range of field operation activities, systems, processes and procedures as a guide for implementers of Sigueal el-ainee in established urban areas.
Version One of the Manual is a road map for discussion and agreement on implementing the Preparatory Phase for first registration under Sigueal el ainee. As important parameter decisions are agreed between EFS and the process owners, the Manual will become more detailed and explanatory of the steps required to reach the stage of the issue of Sahayfa Akariya to real estate owners.
As the Manual progresses through various iterations, it will be used for training field data collection teams in the preparatory phase and introduction of Sigueal el ainee in areas specifically designated by a Ministerial Decree.
Eventually, the pilot will establish a base of experience that will more confidently form a version of the Field Operation Manual that can be used as the foundation for upscaling Sigueal el ainee in Cairo.
The Manual is currently in one volume but will likely eventually become two volumes: Volume I will outline the processes and the procedures in Field Operations, while Volume II will provide samples of the different forms used for data collection and documents required to support the property registration processes and procedures.
The Manual will need to be translated to Arabic and all training courses based on the Manual delivered by Arabic-speaking staff.