Cairo, MSMEDA sign EU, AFD-backed funding deal to boost Al-Zawya Al-Hamra infrastructure

Egypt’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) and the Cairo Governorate signed a supplementary agreement to advance the development of Al-Zawya Al-Hamra district, backed by funding from the European Union and the French Development Agency (AFD).

The addendum to an existing framework agreement provides 11.5 million Egyptian pounds in additional financing under the Unplanned Areas Upgrading and Employment-Enhancement Programme (UAUEEP) for improvised areas in Cairo and Giza. The programme is funded by the EU through a grant managed by AFD.

MSMEDA CEO Basel Rahmy said the project aims to upgrade basic infrastructure and improve service delivery in neighbourhoods most in need, supporting living standards while creating an enabling environment for small and medium-sized enterprises. He added that the initiative aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and reflects ongoing cooperation with international development partners.

Under the current phase of the programme, MSMEDA has already financed labour-intensive infrastructure projects worth 43 million pounds in Al-Zawya Al-Hamra and Ezbet Khairallah, generating about 16,000 workdays for irregular workers and improving living conditions for roughly 100,000 residents, the agency said.

The new funding will be used to expand and upgrade the Chest Diseases Centre in Al-Zawya Al-Hamra, rehabilitate access roads to the facility, and improve a child care centre in the district.

Cairo Governor Ibrahim Saber said cooperation with MSMEDA supports state efforts to provide essential services in informal areas, while helping attract investment, support small businesses, and create sustainable jobs.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English

Subediting: Y.Yasser