Education Minister Mohamed Abdel-Latif, Deputy Housing Minister Sayed Ismail, and Governor Ibrahim Abu Limon accompanied the prime minister on the tour.
During the tour, Madbouly emphasized that the initiative extends beyond infrastructure to encompass education, healthcare, heritage, and cultural inclusion, aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030.
Heritage and economic empowerment
Madbouly began his visit at the Shemma handicrafts exhibition, highlighting state support for artisans, according to a cabinet statement.
Governor Abu Limon stated that Menoufiya hosts eight artisanal villages, each producing 13 crafts, ranging from handwoven carpets in Saqiyat Abu Shaara to Arabesque woodwork in Sers Al-Lian.
Artisans requested support for raw materials and permanent markets. Madbouly pledged to establish a Supreme Council for Handicrafts and include exhibitors in the upcoming Turathna Fair.
Governor Abu Limon reported major progress between 2014 and 2025 as part of the first phase of the Decent Life initiative.
He said water projects worth EGP 6 billion increased coverage to 98 percent of villages, while sanitation investments of EGP 10 billion expanded services to cover all cities and 70 percent of villages.
Moreover, about 150 kilometres of new roads and bridges were completed for EGP 7.6 billion, strengthening connectivity across the governorate.
Health services also saw significant investment, with EGP 7 billion allocated to facilities such as the new Ashmoun Hospital.
Education projects added or upgraded over 800 schools with 14,000 classrooms for EGP 4 billion.
University expansions brought an additional EGP 11 billion in spending.
Under Decent Life, Menoufiya implemented 1,609 projects across 81 villages, benefiting 1.2 million people with a 93 percent completion rate.
Community and social services
Madbouly inspected the Citizens’ Service Complex, which serves 84,000 residents with local administration, social services, postal, and registry offices.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining quality and accessibility in rural services.
Madbouly praised the mobile library in Shemma as a model of “cultural justice.”
The library, which holds 600 books, offers rural children access to reading materials, workshops, competitions, and even film screenings, ensuring that cultural services reach underserved communities.
Healthcare improvements
At Sebk El-Ahad, Madbouly toured the Family and Child Development Centre, launched in cooperation with the National Alliance for Civil Development Work.
Director Amal Ghoneim stated that the facility spans 1,570 m² and features nurseries, speech therapy, skills development, and entrepreneurship workshops.
Madbouly commended training programmes in crafts and economic empowerment, calling them vital for families’ resilience.
The premier inspected Shemma Family Health Centre, a 45-room facility serving 36,000 residents with 17 specialities, including women's health, paediatrics, and dentistry. Patients reported satisfaction with services.
He also reviewed a six-clinic medical convoy that treated 2,140 citizens in September, commending the health teams.
Education expansion
Madbouly made an unplanned visit to Fatma Al-Zahraa Preparatory School for Girls, checking attendance and lesson quality.
He spoke with students about their curricula and praised teachers for reducing overcrowding and staff shortages.
Madbouly also visited Shaheed Sameh Tahaoun Primary School, where Decent Life had added 18 classrooms, a library, a science lab, and a multipurpose hall, reducing class sizes to approximately 40 students.
He emphasized that education is a national priority under President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, stressing the integration of programming and AI into curricula to equip future generations.
Concluding his tour, Madbouly said Menoufiya’s experience demonstrates Egypt’s development model, which combines heritage preservation, modern infrastructure, healthcare, family empowerment, and inclusive education.
He affirmed that Decent Life will continue to ensure every citizen shares in the nation’s progress.
Launched in 2019 by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Decent Life is one of the world’s largest rural development programmes, targeting 58 million people in 4,500 villages through three phases.
Investments of up to EGP 1 trillion (about $65 billion) are funding projects in water, sanitation, electricity, roads, housing, healthcare, education, microfinance, vocational training, and cultural services, including mobile libraries and sports facilities.
Short link: