Egypt’s ambitious Hayat Kaima “Decent Life” initiative, aimed at addressing rural poverty and bridging development gaps across the country, is now 85.5% complete in its first phase. According to a recent report from the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, the initiative has made significant progress in various sectors, including education, water and sanitation, and financial inclusion. With billions of pounds already disbursed and thousands of projects underway, the initiative is rapidly transforming the rural landscape of Egypt
The initiative, aimed at reducing multidimensional poverty and bridging development disparities between Egypt’s governorates, has seen EGP 295.5 billion (84.4% of allocated funds) disbursed thus far. This funding has supported 16,812 projects and the development of 100 villages, costing a total of EGP 21 billion. These projects have already benefited approximately 1.2 million citizens, resulting in a remarkable 69-point increase in the “Basic Services Availability Rate” index, according to Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation.
Al-Mashat emphasized the scale of the initiative, describing it as the world’s largest rural development project by the number of beneficiaries. The first phase of the program is expected to impact 18 million citizens across 1,500 villages, with total investments surpassing EGP 350 billion and encompassing 23,000 projects. The initiative’s recognition by the United Nations, having been featured on the “Accelerators for Achieving the Goals” and “Best Practices” platforms, underscores its contribution to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Focus on Upper Egypt
The report highlights that Upper Egypt’s governorates have received 68% of the first-phase funding, benefiting 61% of the total number of recipients. Al-Mashat also noted that the initiative aligns closely with Egypt’s National Human Rights Strategy, with over 70% of the allocated funds directed towards human development initiatives.
Education: A Key Area of Development
The education sector has seen significant progress, with 15,000 new classrooms established and 1,300 schools undergoing maintenance. The initiative has also played a major role in eradicating illiteracy for 510,000 citizens. This has led to a reduction in classroom density, particularly in governorates such as Minya, Qena, Aswan, Sohag, and Assiut, where the average classroom density has decreased by 3 percentage points. Furthermore, the illiteracy rate in these beneficiary areas fell by 7 percentage points from 2021 to 2024. Additionally, 73,000 citizens benefited from digital literacy programs, further boosting educational outcomes.
Water and Sanitation Infrastructure
The water and sanitation sectors have also seen notable advancements. The completion of 21 wastewater treatment plants, 937 sewage projects, and 1.4 million new household sewage connections has resulted in a 45% increase in sanitation service subscribers in project villages. The initiative aims to raise sanitation coverage to 90% in these areas by the end of the first phase, with national coverage expected to reach 60%, a significant leap from the 12% coverage in 2013/2014.
In parallel, 248 drinking water plants have been established or upgraded, along with 1,380 water network projects spanning 5,400 kilometers, leading to a 14% increase in drinking water subscribers. The ultimate goal is to achieve 100% clean drinking water coverage.
Energy, Telecommunications, and Financial Inclusion
The expansion of the natural gas network has been another key success, with approximately 506 villages now connected, resulting in a 299% increase in gas subscribers. In the telecommunications sector, the installation of 766 fiber optic networks and 1,277 mobile network towers has led to a 41% increase in telecom subscribers in these villages.
The initiative has also played a critical role in financial inclusion. EGP 65.6 billion has been allocated to small, medium, and micro enterprises, benefiting over 2.9 million individuals. This, combined with the establishment of 137 bank branches and the installation of 1,254 ATMs, has led to an 11-percentage-point increase in the financial inclusion index.
Moving Forward
As the first phase nears completion, the “Decent Life” initiative continues to demonstrate significant impact, advancing Egypt’s broader development agenda while improving the livelihoods of millions of rural citizens. With continued focus on education, infrastructure, and financial inclusion, the initiative is positioned to be a transformative force in Egypt’s rural development, paving the way for future phases of the program.
