The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development participates in the 4th AWIEF

Ambassador Hisham Badr, Assistant Minister of Planning and Economic Development for Strategic Partnerships, Excellence and Initiatives and General Coordinator of the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects, participated, on behalf of the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, H.E. Dr. Hala El-Said in the (14th Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum) (AWIEF)in cooperation with the Fourth Conference of the Federation of Businesswomen’s Associations (COMESA) and the COMESA Federation of Businesswomen’s Associations Exhibition.

Ms. Kanayo Awani, Vice President of the African Export-Import Bank (Afriximbank) for intra-African trade, Dr. Amani Asfour, President of the African Business Council, Mrs. Maureen Sembway, President of the COMESA Federation of Businesswomen, and representatives of 21 African countries participated in the forum.

During his speech, Ambassador Hisham Badr stressed the interest that the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the Egyptian government pay to the issue of women’s empowerment, noting that women in Egypt and Africa constitute the pillar of support in their societies.

Badr also explained that empowering women ensures sustainable development and prosperity, and the achievement of justice and equality in society.

  Badr pointed out that the Ministry of Planning ensures fair opportunities between the sexes and builds women’s capabilities through several activities, including allocating a category for women in the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects and launching a new category within the categories of the Egypt Award for Government Excellence, which is the category of equal opportunities and women’s empowerment.

He pointed to women's economic empowerment efforts, which included a 217% increase in financing for women-led small and medium enterprises in recent years.

The percentage of women receiving banking services also increased by 210%. In addition, the number of beneficiaries from the first cycle of the Decent Life initiative reached 8 million. The number of female beneficiaries is expected to reach 26 million in the third phase of the initiative.

To maximize the impact of the Presidential Initiative for a Decent Life, Egypt launched last year the “A Decent Life for Africa, Resilient to Climate Change” initiative at the COP27 conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, where African countries, in cooperation with various partners, will work to improve the quality of life in 30% of the most vulnerable villages and rural areas. and poor countries on the continent by 2030.

After his speech, Ambassador Hisham Badr pointed out that providing opportunities and mechanisms in Africa would advance economic growth, innovation, entrepreneurship, and innovation, as it works to create jobs and contribute to achieving long-term economic stability.