Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development, presented a report on Sunday detailing the achievements of the national initiative for community, human, and local development, known as “Mashroaak,” up to April 2025. The initiative has played a pivotal role in empowering youth and women economically and supporting small, medium, and micro enterprises across Egypt.
Since its inception in 2015, “Mashroaak” has financed 213,689 projects, disbursing over EGP 32.4 billion in loans. These efforts have resulted in the creation of 1,427,891 job opportunities nationwide, establishing the project as a cornerstone in supporting the local economy and achieving sustainable development across Egypt.
Dr. Awad highlighted the growing interest in the initiative from young entrepreneurs and innovators, attributing this to the facilitative measures, technical support, and continuous coordination with participating banks. The project has notably contributed to reducing unemployment rates, particularly in underserved governorates, by transforming innovative ideas into productive ventures that generate real income and employment opportunities.
The report identified Minya, Sohag, and Beni Suef as the leading governorates in terms of the number of funded projects. Efforts to create an encouraging investment environment and streamline access to financing have been instrumental in these achievements. Minya alone implemented 23,400 projects with loans exceeding EGP 3.3 billion, providing 157,400 job opportunities. Sohag followed with 23,200 projects, securing EGP 4.3 billion in loans and creating 153,900 jobs. Beni Suef contributed 19,200 projects, with loans totaling EGP 1.8 billion, resulting in 101,800 job opportunities.
Dr. Awad emphasized that the 260 “Mashroaak” units across the governorates offer comprehensive support to applicants seeking loans for small and medium-sized projects. These units provide technical and administrative training, assist in preparing feasibility studies, and facilitate the issuance of temporary licenses for projects pending permanent licensing, ensuring beneficiaries can fully leverage the project’s benefits.
