The launch event, which Ahram Online attended, was held under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and led by Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat.
During the event, Al-Mashat explained that work on the narrative began in October 2024.
She said the narrative focuses on three main goals: strengthening the national economy, improving competitiveness and the business climate, and advancing a gradual green transition.
The narrative will be open for public dialogue for two months, until November 2025.
The launch comes just days before the arrival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission for discussions on the fifth and sixth reviews of Egypt’s $8 billion loan programme and the first review of the $1.3 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) loan.
Al-Mashat described the narrative as a comprehensive framework to align Egypt’s reform agenda with long-term development goals amid global and regional challenges.
It prioritizes high-productivity, export-oriented sectors, leveraging Egypt’s upgraded infrastructure to support industry, investment, and job creation, she added.
She emphasized that the framework aims to redefine the state's role in the economy, making the private sector the primary driver of growth.
“The narrative is not a separate strategy but integrates all national initiatives, turning structural reforms into measurable targets through 2030,” she said.
Institutional and legal foundation
The National Economic Development Narrative was developed after the October 2024 cabinet reshuffle that merged the planning and international cooperation ministries.
It follows directives from President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and the prime minister to strengthen production sectors, encourage private investment, and raise growth rates.
It is grounded in Law 18/2022 on National Planning and Law 6/2022 on Unified Public Finance, which give the Ministry of Planning responsibility for setting strategic objectives, defining priorities, and linking development plans with macroeconomic policy.
The laws also require all ministries to align their programmes, projects, and performance indicators with national goals.
Building on structural reforms
The narrative draws on Egypt’s National Structural Reform Programme, focusing on three key pillars: macroeconomic stability, competitiveness and business environment enhancement, and the green transition.
It consolidates strategies for foreign direct investment, industrial development, foreign trade, and job creation, with a focus on manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, energy, and ICT.
It also sets out fiscal and monetary policies, public investment governance measures, and regional development planning to localize growth.
Response to global challenges
Al-Mashat noted that the initiative was launched in a period of heightened geopolitical tensions, protectionist trade policies, and volatility in global markets, which have fueled uncertainty about economic growth and inflation trends worldwide.
She said Egypt is pursuing a “balanced, flexible planning approach” that allows regular review of targets and strategies to respond to shifting global dynamics.
Resilient economy
The minister highlighted Egypt’s infrastructure investments under President El-Sisi, including road networks, ports, smart transport systems, energy facilities, and industrial and economic zones, as a foundation for building a “dynamic economy capable of absorbing external shocks.”
These projects, she said, aim to generate real value by boosting productive sectors, expanding exports, and creating conditions for sustainable growth.
She noted that the Egyptian government is pursuing a balanced and moderate approach to strengthen the resilience of the national economy, enabling it to navigate global crises, capitalize on opportunities, and address domestic challenges.
This strategy focuses on targeted policies and programmes to overcome these challenges while accelerating inclusive growth and sustainable development across its economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
She added that the repercussions of international events highlight the need for a flexible planning approach, requiring continuous monitoring and revision of national plans and strategies in response to changing circumstances.
This approach, she stressed, is essential in the current volatile context and aligns with ongoing efforts to develop and update key strategies, including the Foreign Direct Investment Strategy, Industrial Development Strategy, Foreign Trade Enhancement Strategy, and National Employment Strategy.
The government is also shifting towards preparing development plans and the state budget within a medium-term framework that covers the current fiscal year and the three subsequent years.
Furthermore, the minister emphasized that Egypt has embarked on a comprehensive development path under President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, investing heavily in infrastructure projects.
These include upgrades to road networks, energy systems, ports, smart transportation, and industrial and economic zones, all aimed at fostering an enabling environment for economic activity and encouraging investment.
She affirmed that these infrastructure projects provide the foundation for building a more dynamic economy capable of absorbing external shocks, creating real added value through productive sectors, boosting export capacity, and driving sustainable growth rates.
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