Many parts of the world are grappling with a crisis of freshwater, a major factor constraining development, particularly amid conflicts fuelled by the scarcity of sustainable and renewable water resources. This study focuses on Egypt, where most of the population lives just a few kilometres from the Nile, relying directly on the river for agriculture, fishing, and hydropower generation. Despite being a downstream country, Egypt faces significant water scarcity. The construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has escalated tensions between Ethiopia, upstream and Egypt, which considers the dam's impact on freshwater scarcity a threat. This study examines freshwater in Egypt, analyses the challenges, and evaluates the official response.