In an interview with Ahram Online, Telahigue said Egypt’s experience in agricultural innovation, research, and rural development positions it as a key hub for knowledge sharing and cooperation across the region. Ongoing programmes are expected to expand income opportunities for farmers and strengthen food systems amid growing economic and climate challenges.
Ahram Online: Egypt is one of IFAD’s leading partners in the region. How do you see its role evolving within the fund’s broader strategy for the Near East and North Africa?
Naoufal Telahigue: Egypt is a founding member of IFAD. The partnership between Egypt and IFAD dates back to 1977, the fund’s inaugural year.
Since then, the country has become IFAD’s largest partner in the region, with a current investment portfolio valued at approximately $1.1 billion. Over the decades, these programmes, both past and ongoing, have reached and positively impacted more than seven million people across rural Egypt.
This long-standing partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing rural development and strengthening food security in the country and the Near East and North Africa region.
Within IFAD’s regional strategy, Egypt is well-positioned to play a leading role not only nationally, but also across the region, as a producer of key agricultural commodities and a centre for agricultural knowledge, innovation, and cooperation.
Through targeted investments in food systems and rural livelihoods, IFAD aims to support Egypt in reinforcing national resilience, while enhancing its contribution to regional food security.
Egypt’s fertile agricultural lands, extensive fisheries, and well-established research institutions provide a solid foundation for agricultural growth. Additionally, the experience we gain from working in Egypt provides multiple opportunities for knowledge sharing with other countries in the region and beyond.
AO: The partnership has mobilized over $1.1 billion in investments. How does IFAD ensure these funds deliver lasting economic returns rather than short-term relief?
NT: IFAD’s approach is centred on long-term rural transformation rather than short-term projects. This begins with the Country Strategic Opportunities Programme, which aligns IFAD’s investments with Egypt’s national development priorities and is formulated through close consultation with government institutions, rural communities, and private-sector partners.
Projects are designed to generate sustainable outcomes, including higher agricultural productivity, stronger and more competitive value chains, improved access to finance, and more climate-resilient livelihoods.
Throughout implementation, IFAD places strong emphasis on monitoring, evaluation, and learning to ensure progress is carefully tracked and impact is rigorously assessed.
Equally critical is adaptability. Through regular engagement with the government, IFAD adjusts project strategies in response to evolving circumstances, whether related to climate variability, market dynamics, or broader economic conditions. This combination of strategic alignment, robust oversight, and adaptive management helps ensure that investments generate durable economic and social benefits for rural communities.
AO: Programmes like STAR, PRIDE, and SAIL are central to Egypt’s agricultural transformation. Which of these do you expect will have the most immediate impact on rural livelihoods? And why?
NT: IFAD and Egypt implemented 15 projects, including these three ongoing programmes: STAR, PRIDE, and SAIL, each playing a complementary role in advancing Egypt’s agricultural transformation.
The Sustainable Transformation for Agricultural Resilience in Upper Egypt (SAIL) project has been active for nearly a decade in the newly reclaimed agricultural lands of Middle and Upper Egypt.
With investments exceeding $57 million, the project has reached more than 160,000 people through initiatives such as irrigation rehabilitation, solar-powered pumping systems, climate-smart agricultural practices, rangeland restoration, and expanded access to finance for micro and small enterprises, particularly benefiting women and actors along agricultural value chains.
The Promoting Resilience in Desert Environments (PRIDE) project focuses on the coastal areas of Matrouh Governorate and targets approximately 210,000 people.
With investments of around $62 million, it supports water-harvesting infrastructure, rangeland and wadi development, and essential rural infrastructure, while also strengthening women’s economic participation through handicraft training, literacy programmes, and livestock support.
The Sustainable Agriculture Investments and Livelihoods Project (STAR) operates in the governorates of Minya, Assiut, and Sohag with a budget of roughly $64 million. It expands access to finance for rural communities, promotes modern irrigation systems, enhances production practices across key value chains, and improves farmers’ access to markets.
Rather than one programme standing apart, it is the collective impact of these initiatives that drives meaningful change through improving productivity, strengthening resilience, and expanding income opportunities for rural households.
AO: Egypt is working to link small farmers with value chains and agri-tech solutions. How does IFAD plan to attract private-sector partners to projects that have traditionally been donor-driven?
NT: Private-sector engagement has become increasingly central to IFAD’s approach, as it brings not only capital but also innovation, technical expertise, and access to markets.
In Egypt, IFAD promotes collaboration among governments, producers, and private companies through its Public-Private-Producer Partnership (4P) model. One example is the “market opportunity bank,” which connects farmers directly with buyers and facilitates supply contracts that benefit both smallholders and agribusinesses.
In parallel, IFAD is expanding the use of non-sovereign operations and direct investments in private enterprises to attract mission-aligned investors and help de-risk rural investments. Through blended finance, equity participation, and risk-sharing mechanisms, IFAD scales agri-tech solutions, strengthens agricultural value chains, and creates sustainable market opportunities for smallholder farmers.
AO: As IFAD plays a leading role in supporting rural and agricultural development, what are the biggest challenges in aligning international financiers with Egypt’s national priorities?
NT: One of the most significant challenges arises from global economic volatility. Conflicts and geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt supply chains and drive up the costs of food, energy, and agricultural inputs.
At the same time, fiscal pressures in many countries have constrained both public and private investment in agriculture and climate resilience.
In this context, IFAD works closely with the Egyptian government and development partners to ensure that investments remain aligned with national priorities. Demonstrating tangible development impact, such as improved rural livelihoods, more resilient value chains, and climate-smart agricultural practices, helps build confidence among international financiers.
Ultimately, clear results, sound risk management, and strong national ownership are essential to ensuring that development finance continues to support long-term growth and food security.
AO: Looking ahead to 2030, what would success look like for IFAD’s partnership with Egypt: poverty reduction, export growth, or a full transformation of rural economies?
NT: Success by 2030 would be defined by a broad transformation of rural economies, one that delivers both economic growth, job creation, and greater social inclusion.
Agriculture remains central to Egypt’s development, contributing around 11 percent of GDP and employing more than a quarter of the workforce. However, with rising population pressures and limited natural resources, particularly water and arable land, improving productivity and sustainability will be critical.
IFAD’s partnership with Egypt aims to support this transformation by strengthening rural skills, expanding access to finance and technology, promoting climate-resilient farming practices, and encouraging the sustainable management of natural resources. The objective is to foster vibrant rural economies in which farmers and rural entrepreneurs can increase their incomes while contributing to national food security.
AO: Given the ongoing regional escalation in the Middle East, how is IFAD adjusting its strategy in Egypt to ensure agricultural projects remain resilient?
NT: Amid regional volatility, IFAD works closely with government institutions and development partners to ensure that agricultural programmes remain resilient and responsive.
Projects are designed with built-in flexibility so they can adapt to disruptions affecting food supply chains, markets, or agricultural inputs. IFAD also places strong emphasis on strengthening local value chains, improving access to finance and services, and promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices.
This collaborative and adaptive approach helps safeguard smallholder farmers and ensures that rural development programmes continue to deliver results even in uncertain regional conditions.
AO: With rising regional tensions affecting trade and investment flows, what role can IFAD play in helping Egypt strengthen food security and maintain continuity in agricultural development programmes?
NT: IFAD brings extensive experience from operating in different environments around the world. This expertise enables the organization to design risk-informed and flexible interventions that sustain food security and rural livelihoods even during periods of global or regional instability.
In Egypt, this involves close collaboration with national authorities and development partners to anticipate potential disruptions and strengthen the resilience of agricultural systems.
By supporting farmers’ access to markets, finance, technology, and climate-resilient practices, IFAD helps ensure that rural communities remain productive and that food systems continue functioning despite regional uncertainty.
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