The Ministry of Local Development has announced plans to increase funding for the National Project for Human and Community Development, Mashrou’ak (Your Project), to EGP 4 billion in 2025. The programme aims to finance 3,000 new projects and generate approximately 70,000 jobs. Additionally, Mashrou’ak will collaborate with the Ayady Misr platform to help market handmade and artisanal products, broadening its reach to a larger customer base.
In 2024, the Ministry focused on creating employment opportunities for youth, women, and female breadwinners across Egypt’s governorates. It also extended financial and technical support to small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the Your Project initiative, in partnership with six major banks: National Bank of Egypt (NBE), Agricultural Bank of Egypt (ABE), Banque du Caire, Housing and Development Bank (HDB), and Alexbank. These collaborations helped overcome the administrative and financial barriers that often hindered the establishment of small businesses, driving sustainable economic, social, and local development.
Minister of Local Development, Manal Awad, highlighted the national importance of the Mashrou’ak initiative, noting that it plays a key role in combating poverty, reducing unemployment, and transforming villages from consumers to producers. She also emphasized its role in integrating the informal economy into the formal sector.
In 2024, Mashrou’ak provided EGP 3.846 billion in loans, financing 2,200 projects and creating 65,000 jobs. The governorates of Sohag, Assiut, and Minya led the way in terms of financing, with Sohag receiving the highest volume of EGP 856 million, followed by Assiut (EGP 418 million) and Minya (EGP 411 million). Additionally, the Ministry’s Local Development Fund financed 1,250 projects in 2024, with a total investment of EGP 49 million, generating 1,250 new jobs.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Ministry plans to significantly expand the programme’s reach and impact, contributing even more to Egypt’s economic development.
