Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi directed the government to establish a unified social protection programme aimed at supporting vulnerable groups while balancing social welfare objectives with economic sustainability.
According to a statement from the presidency, Al-Sisi met with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsy to review efforts to modernise Egypt’s social protection system and strengthen early childhood services.
During the meeting, Morsy presented progress on the National Social Protection Framework, which seeks to coordinate state support programmes and contribute to sustainable development goals.
She said the government is working to expand mechanisms that provide support for vulnerable populations and help households move out of multidimensional poverty, while also implementing economic empowerment programmes in partnership with government agencies, the private sector, and civil society organisations.
Al-Sisi stressed the need to continue improving support mechanisms while safeguarding the rights of eligible beneficiaries and enhancing the efficiency of social spending.
He also directed authorities to continue monitoring the Takaful and Karama cash-support programme, which currently benefits around 4.7 million families, and to prepare annual assessments measuring its social, economic, and developmental impact.
The meeting also reviewed plans to expand early childhood care and nursery services. The minister said the government is working to increase nursery capacity and improve the quality of educational and childcare services for young children.
She highlighted cooperation with the Ministry of Housing to establish additional nurseries in new urban communities, while upgrading existing facilities, simplifying licensing procedures, and creating a database to identify underserved areas.
According to the presidency, a nationwide survey is currently underway to determine priority locations for future nursery expansion.
Al-Sisi directed officials to improve service quality, increase enrolment rates, and develop a comprehensive roadmap for the nursery sector, including the creation of psychological and social support centres for children based on international standards.
The president also called for expanding elderly care facilities as part of broader efforts to strengthen social welfare services.
The meeting further addressed reforms to Egypt’s foster family system. Morsy reviewed plans to expand foster care opportunities for children without parental care and to introduce a digital platform linking foster care committees across the country.
Al-Sisi stressed the importance of ensuring proper social and psychological support for foster children and called for regular monitoring of their well-being and integration into foster families.
