Coinciding with Europe Day celebrations, Egypt’s Ministry of Planning has announced a significant milestone in its ongoing collaboration with the European Union. The two sides are intensifying efforts to implement the second phase of Egypt’s National Population Strategy, signaling a deepening strategic partnership aimed at supporting inclusive, sustainable development in one of the region’s most populous nations.
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, underscored the European Union’s pivotal role as one of Egypt’s primary development partners. “The EU continues to be a cornerstone of our development agenda,” Dr. Al-Mashat noted. “Its support is instrumental in propelling Egypt’s efforts toward comprehensive and sustainable economic growth.”
A Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Demographic Development
As part of this strengthened cooperation, the EU has allocated a €12 million grant under the NDICI – Global Europe instrument (Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument). The funding will underpin the second phase of Egypt’s National Population Strategy, which focuses on reducing population growth rates and improving the quality of life for future generations.
The project is central to Egypt’s long-term reform agenda, targeting critical demographic challenges that impact the country’s economic trajectory. Specifically, it will enhance access to voluntary, high-quality reproductive health and family planning services. The initiative also emphasizes increasing public awareness around reproductive health and promoting data-driven policymaking through the improved collection and utilization of population statistics.
Multisectoral Collaboration to Drive Impact
This ambitious program will be implemented through a multisectoral approach, with participation from key ministries including Health and Population, Youth and Sports, and Education and Technical Education. The integrated framework ensures that interventions are not only medically sound but socially and culturally aligned with the broader development agenda.
Technical coordination will be overseen by a biannual Steering Committee chaired by the Ministry of Planning on behalf of the Egyptian government. The committee includes representatives from the EU Delegation to Egypt, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other national stakeholders, ensuring a unified and strategic direction for project implementation.
Deepening EU–Egypt Strategic Relations
This initiative is emblematic of the broader, evolving EU–Egypt relationship. Notably, the recent EU–Egypt Summit marked a major diplomatic milestone, upgrading bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. As part of this enhanced engagement, the EU committed €7.4 billion in financial support, aimed at reinforcing Egypt’s economic resilience, attracting sustainable investment, and expanding cooperation across shared priorities such as energy, migration, and digital transformation.
The funding commitment includes grants, concessional financing, and risk-sharing instruments designed to catalyze private sector investment and foster macroeconomic stability in Egypt. This approach aligns closely with EU interests in regional stability and the promotion of mutually beneficial development outcomes in the Southern Neighbourhood.
