Egypt is stepping up efforts to drive private sector-led growth and equip young people with skills for entrepreneurship, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Ahmed Rostom said during high-level discussions at the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in Washington, D.C.
In his remarks at an event focused on promoting private sector development, Rostom said the government is prioritizing policies that enable youth to launch sustainable projects, as part of a broader strategy to support job creation and improve living standards.
He outlined Egypt’s ongoing economic reform programme, which includes measures to stimulate startups and expand private sector participation, while continuing to implement the presidential “Decent Life” initiative aimed at upgrading living conditions in rural areas.
Rostom said the meetings come amid mounting global and regional challenges, but Egypt remains committed to strengthening its economic resilience through reforms that encourage investment and employment.
“Boosting growth requires increasing private investment and investing in human capital,” he said, noting that the government has introduced a cap on public investments to create more space for private sector activity.
Private sector investments now account for around 59% of total investments under Egypt’s national development plan, he added.
Rostom said the “Decent Life” initiative covers around 4,500 villages and focuses not only on infrastructure but also on economic empowerment to reduce poverty and narrow regional disparities. About 68% of investments in its first phase are directed to Upper Egypt, with work ongoing to complete this phase and move to the next.
He outlined three core pillars of the initiative: improving infrastructure, supporting productive sectors such as agriculture and industry, and targeting vulnerable groups, particularly youth and women. Around 70% of investments are allocated to education, healthcare and social protection.
The minister also reviewed efforts to promote local manufacturing, expand financial inclusion, and advance digital and green transformation through the “Green Village” initiative.
These initiatives have helped position the “Decent Life” programme as a model featured on United Nations platforms supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, he said.
World Bank
World Bank
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