For over four decades, the American people have partnered with the people of Egypt to promote an environment where all groups in Egyptian society can lead healthy, productive lives.

USAID’s program in Egypt, totaling over $30 billion since 1978, has directly and fundamentally supported gains such as a reduction in infant and maternal mortality rates, improvement in reading ability in the early grades, and an increase in marketable skills – leading to jobs and lasting prosperity.

USAID’s programs in economic growth, education, health, and governance are contributing to stability and prosperity for Egyptians through accessible, effective, and accountable institutions. Our programs are giving future generations the skills to succeed and providing opportunities for Egypt’s large youth population as it enters higher education and the workforce. USAID is improving agriculture and water productivity and enhancing livelihoods in rural zones where poverty and lack of jobs, especially for youth and women, are all too common. We seek to enhance the contributions of government officials, civil society, communities, and individuals to build and strengthen institutions that meet the political and economic needs of the Egyptian people.  

ECONOMIC GROWTH: USAID works with public and private sector partners to create more – and better – jobs, especially in the labor-intensive agriculture and tourism sectors.  USAID’s programs improve the policy and business regulatory environment, stimulate entrepreneurship, strengthen enterprises, improve the workforce, and enhance trade. They improve the employability of Egypt’s youth and provide support and financing for micro, small, and medium enterprises.  USAID also advances women’s economic empowerment through facilitating increased employment opportunities and working with businesses to adopt gender-balanced policies.  In addition, USAID is providing training and expertise to increase the exporting capacities of small and medium enterprises – including agribusinesses – in order to expand export markets, buyer contacts, and sales.  In tourism, USAID works with international and local organizations to conserve Egypt’s rich cultural and natural heritage, which increase both skills and employment.  USAID, in partnership with the Government of Egypt, is continuing to make investments to bring potable water and sanitation services to the Egyptian people while improving its related policies and governance.

EDUCATION: USAID works at every level of the education system to make sure that education is relevant, graduates have the skills needed to enter the workforce, and that students and professors have opportunities for study and research in relevant fields that will help to grow the economy. USAID supported the Egyptian government to establish science, technology, engineering, and mathematics high schools, and now USAID is partnering with the government to scale this model in additional governorates. USAID supports teacher professional development in the primary grades to accelerate the implementation of Egypt’s Education 2.0 reforms. In higher education, USAID’s three Centers of Excellence bring together U.S. and Egyptian universities to improve curriculum, stimulate cross-border research, offer scholarship opportunities, and link research with private sector initiatives. USAID’s fifteen University Centers for Career Development engage the private sector to design industry-relevant curricula to facilitate pathways for university graduates to secure employment. USAID also targets education programming to underserved students through university scholarship assistance and through an intergenerational literacy activity that supports reading for primary-grade students and their mothers in remote areas.

HEALTH: USAID works closely with the Government of Egypt to support Egypt's COVID-19 response. USAID has strengthened its communications and coordination through a 30,000-strong volunteer network and to supplement mobile resource centers to expand awareness of safe hygiene practices. USAID provided the Government of Egypt with a donation of ventilators and technical assistance to increase the number of personnel who are trained to use them at 24 hospitals in 12 governorates throughout the country. USAID health programs also promote the sharing of information on reproductive health and voluntary family planning through peer networks, private sector partners, community health workers, and healthcare providers.

GOVERNANCE: USAID is working in partnership with the Egyptian people to promote economic stability and inclusive  development in Egypt through more effective public institutions and engagement with civil society.  Our inclusive governance work focuses on increasing the accountability and efficiency of public institutions and reducing barriers to economic and social participation for women and marginalized communities. Our work focuses on strengthening governance systems, combatting corruption, promoting women's social and economic empowerment, preventing violence against women, and combating trafficking in persons. Our activities support comprehensive socio economic reform efforts to improve Egypt’s investment climate and foster broad-based prosperity in Egypt.