Why was Egypt of strategic importance in WW2?

Egypt was of strategic importance in WW2 because Egypt's Suez Canal was the key reaching the oil fields of the Middle East.

Added by VonRidel:

In addition, a large portion of the British Empire was located in the Far East. Australia, India, New Zealand, Singapore, New Guinea, Burma, N. Borneo, Somalia, Oceana, and much of E. Africa and islands around Malaya.

Men, raw materials, and oil all were supplying the British Empire's war machine through the Suez Canal. If they had to go around the southern tip of Africa, it would have taken several weeks longer to transit in very hazardous seas.