Egypt’s social protection framework was in sharp focus as Dr. Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity, participated in a pivotal session of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The session, chaired by MP Mohamed Kamal Marei, convened key stakeholders from across government, development agencies, and the banking sector to assess the intersection of social support and economic empowerment in Egypt’s poverty reduction strategy.
Dr. Morsy used the occasion to underscore the impact and evolution of the “Takaful and Karama” conditional cash transfer program, which she described as a “dynamic, adaptive system that goes beyond welfare into empowerment.”
4.7 Million Families Currently Benefit from Egypt’s Flagship Social Protection Program
“Takaful and Karama is not a pension—it is a conditional cash assistance program designed to break the cycle of poverty through investment in human capital,” said Morsy. She revealed that the program currently reaches 4.7 million families, equivalent to more than 20 million individuals across Egypt. Since its launch ten years ago, the program has supported a total of 7.7 million families, with 3 million families exiting the program, including over 1.1 million families who transitioned into economic empowerment through small and micro-enterprise initiatives.
These projects span critical sectors such as agriculture, livestock, and poultry production, and reflect a broader government vision of linking social protection to sustainable livelihoods.
Empowerment as a Core Pillar: From Protection to Productivity
The minister reiterated that the Ministry of Social Solidarity’s three-pronged strategy focuses on:
- Protection: Ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to essential services and cash support.
- Care: Providing social services and inclusion mechanisms for people with disabilities, the elderly, and marginalized communities.
- Empowerment: Facilitating access to skills training, microfinance, and market-linked projects to promote economic independence.
She emphasized the ministry’s growing cooperation with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), led by CEO Basil Rahmy, and financial institutions like Nasser Social Bank, represented at the session by its Deputy Chairman Osama El-Sayed.
Institutional Collaboration for Inclusive Development
Also present were several senior government and institutional representatives, including, Abdel Hakim Hammouda, Executive Director of the National Foundation for Family and Community Development, Rafat Shafik, Assistant Minister of Social Solidarity, Ingy El Yamany, Executive Director of the Fund for Supporting Rural and Environmental Industries, Hesham Mohamed, Chief of Staff to the Minister , and Ramy Abbas, Advisor to the Minister for Protocol and Exhibitions
Toward a Sustainable Exit from Poverty
Dr. Morsy highlighted a significant milestone: more than one million families have exited the Takaful and Karama program by launching small businesses, a testament to the program’s focus on economic resilience. “This is a social protection system that is building bridges to dignity, not dependency,” she said.
She praised the Parliamentary Committee for providing practical policy input, and stressed the importance of continuous dialogue to refine approaches and meet the evolving needs of Egypt’s most vulnerable citizens.
