Egypt invests EGP32b in Upper Egypt projects

The Upper Egypt Local Development Programme (UELDP) has delivered more than EGP32 billion in investments across over 6,000 projects, improving infrastructure and services for nearly 8.2 million citizens in Sohag, Qena, Minya and Assiut, Minister of Local Development Manal Awad stated.

Speaking during a meeting with a World Bank delegation that included Senior Private Sector Specialist Elin Olafsen and Senior Social Development Specialist Zishan Faiza Karim, Awad described the programme as a flagship example of development cooperation between the Egyptian government and the bank.

Awad noted that around 40 per cent of the investments were allocated to support local economic development and enhance the capacity of local government units and technology centres, creating a scalable development model for other governorates.

The minister added that the programme has helped embed decentralisation practices and strengthen private sector involvement, with over 72,000 businesses benefiting from an improved business environment.

Around 85 per cent of business owners expressed satisfaction with the interventions. The initiative forms part of Egypt’s broader decentralisation reforms under its 2024–2027 strategy.

World Bank officials praised the programme’s support for the economic cluster model, with 12 clusters implemented and most of their plans completed. Full execution is expected before the end of October 2025. They also commended Egypt’s push to institutionalise this approach within its local economic development framework.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
Subediting: M. S. Salama