AFD Eyes Expanded Cooperation with Egypt in Transport, Renewable Energy

The French Development Agency (AFD) plans to expand its cooperation with Egypt into transport, renewable energy, water and sanitation, as well as social protection and healthcare, a senior agency official said, highlighting Cairo's progress in sustainable development and clean energy.

Veronique Vouland-Aneini, Executive Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) overseeing regional offices, said future cooperation with Egypt would also potentially extend to agriculture and food self-sufficiency, with discussions continuing with Egyptian authorities to identify priority projects.

In an interview, Vouland-Aneini said cooperation would place particular emphasis on transport infrastructure, renewable energy, water and sanitation projects—especially in Alexandria—alongside continued support for social protection and health initiatives.

She revealed that a presidential decree had recently approved a second amendment to a financing agreement worth €2 million for social protection programmes in Egypt.

Vouland-Aneini described strengthening Egypt's social protection system as a long-term undertaking being implemented in partnership with the Egyptian government, adding that a new phase of cooperation with the Ministry of Social Solidarity had been signed and would be launched soon.

Expanding social protection programmes is essential to improving healthcare services and reducing poverty, she said, noting that societies with comprehensive health coverage enjoy better living standards and longer life expectancy. Stronger social protection also encourages the integration of workers into the formal economy while providing greater security for citizens, enabling them to contribute more effectively to national development.

On renewable energy, Vouland-Aneini said Egypt had made exceptional progress over the past few years, particularly following the success of the Benban Solar Park, one of the world's largest solar power projects.

She said AFD had been among the institutions that helped create the conditions needed for the growth of Egypt's renewable energy sector. While public investment played a key role in launching the sector, private investment is now driving its continued expansion.

The planned expansion of cooperation reflects the long-standing partnership between Egypt and AFD, with both sides seeking to support sustainable infrastructure, accelerate the green transition and promote inclusive economic development.