Construction of the Iconic Tower officially began in May 2018. Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly visited the construction site to attend a ceremony that marked the start of concrete pouring operations on the foundations in 2019. China State Construction Engineering is the main contractor for the project, which employs over 5,000 workers.[citation needed]
The tower project's architect of record is Dar al-Handasah Shair & Partners. The overall plan for the new Cairo development project, led by the Egyptian Ministry of Housing, includes 20 high-rises in the complex surrounding Iconic Tower.[8]
It was planned and inspired by the shape of a pharaonicobelisk, with the glass exterior representing the Egyptian god Amun’s Shuti crown.
In July 2021, all structural concrete work was completed for the tower and on 24 August 2021, the tower topped out at its full height of 394 metres (1,293 ft), becoming the tallest structure in Africa.[9] Construction of the Iconic Tower was completed in 2024,[10] at which point it officially overtook the Great Mosque of Algiers Tower in Algeria as the tallest building in Africa.[11]