Egypt and Canada have signed three new development projects worth approximately EGP 552 million, aimed at empowering women and girls, enhancing social protection, and strengthening food and nutrition security, according to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation.
The agreements were signed by Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, and Ulric Shannon, Canada’s Ambassador to Egypt, marking a new phase in the long-standing development partnership between the two countries.
Strengthening Egyptian–Canadian Development Cooperation
Commenting on the signing, Dr. Al-Mashat praised the depth of Egyptian–Canadian relations, highlighting the shared interests between both countries across multiple development sectors. She expressed appreciation for Canada’s continued support to Egypt’s development agenda, noting that Canadian-funded projects represent a significant contribution to Egypt’s national efforts toward sustainable and inclusive development.
She emphasized that the newly signed agreements reflect the integration between national planning and international cooperation mechanisms, ensuring alignment with Egypt’s priorities for comprehensive and long-term growth.
Dr. Al-Mashat also pointed to Canada’s current development cooperation portfolio in Egypt, which—prior to the signing of the new projects—stood at approximately CAD 40 million (around EGP 1.4 billion). These ongoing projects span key sectors including women’s empowerment, economic development, health, education, and climate-smart agriculture, with geographic coverage extending across Upper Egypt, the Delta, and major urban centers.
Project 1: Comprehensive Support for Refugee Women and Girls
One of the newly signed projects focuses on providing comprehensive support to refugee women and girls in Egypt, strengthening the protection and social integration pillar of Canada’s development portfolio.
The project targets the most vulnerable refugee women and girls by improving living conditions, facilitating access to essential services, and enhancing protection mechanisms. It also promotes gender equality and complements Egypt’s broader efforts to empower women.
Implementation will be led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Aswan, Greater Cairo, Alexandria, and Damietta.
Project 2: Food for the Future – Empowering Women Through Nutrition
The second agreement, titled “Food for the Future: Empowering Women Through a Comprehensive Approach to Maternal and Adolescent Nutrition in Egypt,” supports Egypt’s health and nutrition agenda.
The project aims to improve the quality of nutrition and healthcare for mothers, adolescent girls, and children, while strengthening coordination among relevant ministries. It complements education and training programs such as EGY-CAN and enhances community capacity to improve nutrition outcomes, contributing to long-term social and economic sustainability.
The project will be implemented by UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Population, across multiple governorates, including Assiut, Qena, Sohag, Sharqia, Gharbia, Beheira, Cairo, and Giza.
Project 3: Empowering Adolescent Girls in Upper Egypt
The third project, titled “Empowering Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Upper Egypt (Masarat),” focuses on improving opportunities for girls and young women in Assiut and Minya.
Aligned with Canada’s women’s empowerment framework, the project promotes gender equality, enhances access to reproductive health services, and strengthens local community capacity to deliver high-quality services efficiently. It supports Egypt’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and complements ongoing development initiatives targeting younger age groups.
Implementation will be carried out by the Ministry of Health and Population, in collaboration with the National Council for Women.
Advancing Inclusive and Sustainable Development
The signing of the three projects underscores the shared commitment of Egypt and Canada to advancing women’s empowerment, social inclusion, and food security, particularly among vulnerable and underserved communities.
By combining international cooperation with national development priorities, the initiatives are expected to deliver lasting impact across multiple regions of Egypt, reinforcing the role of strategic partnerships in addressing complex social and economic challenges.
