CAIRO - 16 December 2024: Egypt and Germany have signed agreements totaling €77.3 million to support critical sectors in education, health, and social services. These agreements, which include grants and debt swap initiatives, aim to advance sustainable development and align with Egypt’s national strategy. A significant part of the funding focuses on the Comprehensive Technical Education Initiative, designed to transform and enhance Egypt’s technical education system.
One agreement allocates €16.31 million in technical support for the second phase of the Comprehensive Technical Education Initiative, a project set to run from 2024 to 2028. This initiative has been a cornerstone of the Egyptian-German education partnership since its inception in 2018.
Another €32 million grant will fund major infrastructure improvements, including the construction of environmentally sustainable buildings and the renovation of existing facilities. The project will also establish three Centers of Excellence, which will deliver state-of-the-art vocational training in collaboration with private sector companies, ensuring that programs align with labor market demands.
These projects build on a robust history of cooperation in technical education between Egypt and Germany, with total funding reaching €121.5 million to date.
A key feature of the agreements is a €29 million debt swap initiative aimed at strengthening Egypt’s ability to deliver high-quality education, healthcare, and nutrition services. This program is particularly targeted at supporting crisis-affected communities and their host populations. Beneficiaries include the Ministries of Social Solidarity, Health and Population, and Education and Technical Education, alongside international partners such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme.
Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, emphasized the significance of the partnership with Germany, highlighting its role in fostering economic development and advancing climate action efforts. She noted that the debt swap program serves as a model for global financial restructuring, having already completed three phases since 2012. These phases have yielded significant benefits in education, healthcare, and food security, establishing Egypt as a leader in implementing such initiatives.
Al-Mashat also pointed out the growing importance of debt swaps for middle-income countries as a practical tool for addressing financial challenges. The collaboration between Egypt and Germany exemplifies how such programs can drive sustainable development and economic resilience.
The Minister further underlined the alignment of the technical education grant with Egypt’s broader goals of localizing industry, improving technical skills, and increasing exports, all of which contribute to long-term industrial growth.
This latest milestone reflects the deepening ties between Egypt and Europe, particularly under the Team Europe initiative, which elevated Egyptian-European relations to a strategic partnership earlier this year. The agreements also highlight the robust governance framework between Egypt and Germany, ensuring effective implementation and maximizing the developmental impact of these projects.
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