Under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Egypt is set to host Local Administration Reform & Empowerment Forum on 27 November 2025 titled “Reforming and Empowering Local Governance: Lessons from the Upper Egypt Local Development Program.” The event will bring together ministers, governors, and international development partners to discuss decentralization, local administrative reform, and strategies for sustainable regional growth.
Breakthroughs in Upper Egypt Local Development
Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development, emphasized that the conference coincides with the completion of the first phase of the Upper Egypt Local Development Program, a major initiative launched in 2017. The program has transformed local planning methodologies, resource management, and participatory governance.
The initiative has also become a national model for designing policies that enhance decentralization, local governance, and regional economic development.
Infrastructure Achievements and Social Impact
The first phase of the program delivered thousands of infrastructure and public service projects across Qena, Sohag, Minya, and Asyut, with total investments exceeding 32 billion Egyptian pounds. These efforts improved services for over 8.3 million residents, increasing the efficiency of core infrastructure to 87.8%, surpassing the original target of 70%.
The program also emphasized inclusive development, with women participating in 48% of the developmental activities, reflecting a strong commitment to gender inclusion in local governance.
National Decentralization Strategy
The conference will highlight the national decentralization strategy and its implementation roadmap, designed to strengthen local administrations’ ability to plan, manage resources, and drive regional economic growth.
Officials stressed the importance of preserving public investments, enhancing local financial independence, and attracting additional private and international investment to sustain progress.
Innovative Mechanisms for Transparency and Efficiency
The program introduced innovative mechanisms such as performance-linked grants, formula-based financial transfers, and local revenue incentives, enhancing transparency, accountability, and service delivery.
These mechanisms provide a blueprint for expanding the model to other governorates and strengthening partnerships with international development organizations and the private sector.
