Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced the completion of the first phase of the presidential Decent Life initiative (Hayat Karima) in Gharbia governorate on Tuesday, revealing that state funding for the initial phase nationwide has exceeded 450 billion Egyptian pounds ($9.1 billion).
During a press conference at the conclusion of his visit to the Nile Delta governorate to inspect and inaugurate service and development projects, Madbouly stated that the first phase covered over 1,450 villages, benefiting approximately 20 million citizens—a population larger than several entire countries.
Madbouly noted that before the initiative, wastewater service coverage in Gharbia’s villages stood at 26 per cent. Following the completion of the first phase alone, this figure has risen to 77 per cent.
The prime minister highlighted that water stations implemented in the villages now meet needs up to 2050, meaning no new projects will be required for the next 25 years. He added that the initiative overall aims to improve the quality of life for more than 60 million citizens across its three phases.
Looking ahead, Madbouly stated that the upcoming second and third phases of the initiative will adopt a centralised management approach, particularly for procurement. He stressed that top priority will be given to wastewater projects, improving water quality, and health and education infrastructure, including hospitals, medical units, and schools.
“Our focus in the second and third phases will be on projects that represent a top priority for the citizen, and then the rest of the projects will follow sequentially, in order to accelerate the pace and learn from the accumulated experiences we have gained,” he said.
The prime minister also addressed his recent visit to the coastal Matrouh governorate, highlighting the development of new and expanded hospitals in Ras El Hekma and El Alamein, as well as the Alam El Rom tourism project, a joint venture with Qatar.
Responding to criticism regarding development on the North Coast, Madbouly defended the projects, stating that tourism is a “real source of income for every Egyptian.” He emphasised that the current investments aim to create year-round destinations rather than seasonal resorts, generating hard currency and employment opportunities.
“If we had the luxury of going back in time 30 years, these would not be the decisions taken to allocate the North Coast merely for projects that operate for a limited time each year,” Madbouly said, noting the current push to build tens of thousands of hotel rooms by both the state and private sector.
The prime minister affirmed that the government is finalising a three-year economic transformation programme designed to anticipate various global scenarios, including the potential continuation of current conflicts for several years, ensuring the state can manage any repercussions.
Regarding energy, Madbouly stated that despite challenges, the state is capable of providing all energy needs for citizens and development projects, crediting visions implemented since 2014 for the current capacity.
“The state has become capable of meeting the needs of energy sectors during the coming period,” Madbouly concluded.
