Egypt has signed three grant agreements with Canada worth approximately EGP 552 million to fund projects on women’s empowerment, food security, and refugee support, according to the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation on Wednesday. The agreements were signed by Minister Rania Al-Mashat and Canada’s Ambassador to Egypt, Ulric Shannon. These initiatives target vulnerable groups across multiple Egyptian governorates.
The Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation announced on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, that Egypt signed three grant agreements with Canada totaling around EGP 552 million. These deals focus on women’s empowerment, food security, and refugee assistance, emphasizing social inclusion and protection for vulnerable populations.
Prior to these signings, Canada’s current cooperation portfolio in Egypt stood at about CA$40 million (EGP 1.4 billion), spanning sectors such as economic development, health, education, and climate-smart agriculture, as noted by Minister Rania Al-Mashat.
The three projects are:
- The “Comprehensive Support for Refugee Women and Girls in Egypt,” implemented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Greater Cairo, Alexandria, Damietta, and Aswan, to boost social inclusion, protection, and access to services.
- “Food for the Future,” led by UNICEF and the Ministry of Health and Population in Assiut, Qena, Sohag, Sharkia, Gharbia, Beheira, Cairo, and Giza, aiming to enhance nutrition for mothers and girls, improve healthcare quality, and support existing education and training programs.
- “Empowering Women and Adolescent Girls in Upper Egypt (Masarat),” executed by the Ministry of Health and the National Council for Women in Assiut and Minya, targeting gender equality and access to reproductive health services.
Al-Mashat highlighted that the projects cover areas from Upper Egypt to the Nile Delta and major urban centers, aligning with Egypt’s national sustainable development goals.