Planning Minister Rania Al-Mashat stated that women are playing an increasingly vital role in Egypt's energy and heavy industries, including managing the country's largest mine, as she called for closing the gender gap in traditionally male-dominated sectors. She spoke at the third annual conference of the Regional Network in Energy for Women in the Middle East and North Africa (RENEW MENA).
In her speech on Tuesday at the third annual conference of RENEW MENA, organized by the World Bank, Planning Minister Rania Al-Mashat highlighted the importance of women's presence in the energy sector, noting that it has historically been male-dominated. She said: “The country’s largest mine is currently managed by a woman, which reflects the reality we witness daily: women are capable, qualified, and effective in every sector.”
She pointed to massive electrical interconnection projects linking Egypt with Jordan and Saudi Arabia, which are enhancing energy security and creating jobs, with a significant number of women included in the managing teams. Al-Mashat emphasized that the transition to renewable energy, such as wind and solar, is critical for producing efficient, low-cost power while opening new horizons for jobs requiring “green skills”.
To support this shift, Egypt has launched a “National Narrative for Economic Development” to integrate policies and enhance labour market flexibility. The minister added that a new labour law includes specific elements to address obstacles hindering women’s participation, ensuring their professional rights and regulating the work environment. “Development cannot be achieved without skilled cadres,” Al-Mashat said. She stressed the importance of gender-responsive public spending and financial tools, such as green bonds and sustainable development goal (SDG) bonds, to fund activities that elevate women’s presence in the economy.
The conference included participation from Stephane Guimbert, the World Bank’s Country Director for Egypt, Yemen, and Djibouti, and Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director of Operations. RENEW MENA, supported by the World Bank and the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP), serves as a platform to accelerate gender equality in the energy sector, involving over 60 partners from public institutions, private companies, and academia.