World Bank: 8 million citizens in Upper Egypt benefited from improved infrastructure projects under UELDP

05 / 03 / 2025

• news
• The New Republic

The World Bank estimated that 8 million citizens in Upper Egypt have so far benefited from improved infrastructure projects under the Upper Egypt Local Development Program (UELDP).

The UELDP has made a positive impact on the residents and economy of the region. More than 50,000 businesses have benefited from the program’s interventions, and over 80% of people and businesses in Qena and Sohag have expressed satisfaction with the quality of the program’s interventions. The program has also provided nationwide guidance on integrated private sector development, including the development of cluster competitiveness initiatives which work to enhance the productivity and performance of a specific group of businesses in a targeted area. These practices, piloted in Upper Egypt, are now being gradually replicated across other regions in Egypt.

To date, 6,397 businesses and workers have benefited from these initiatives, including 1,568 women, and 2,032 jobs have been created.

Upper Egypt, home to 38% of the Egyptian population, has significant opportunities for economic development and job creation. The region is well-positioned for growth due to its abundant resources and promising business sectors.

Recognizing the need for an innovative and comprehensive approach to local development, the government of Egypt has made Upper Egypt a pilot by empowering local governorates, enhancing their accountability, and involving citizens and businesses in the decision-making process.

To support these objectives, the government launched the Upper Egypt Local Development Program (UELDP) in 2017, with $ 500 million in support from the World Bank. This program focuses on improving citizens’ quality of life and helping them achieve sustainable incomes. Initially targeting the governorates of Sohag and Qena, the program expanded in 2020 to include Assiut and Minya.

The UELDP aligns with the national Decent Life (or Hayah Karima) initiative, which aims to improve living conditions for vulnerable communities. Both programs work together to target the poorest regions, ensuring a coordinated approach to local development, economic inclusion and sustainable growth.

The UELDP promotes local economic development by enabling local businesses to grow and strengthening the capacity of local government to deliver high-quality infrastructure and services. It promotes inclusion by tailoring interventions to the needs of the local community through continued consultations to hear citizen and business feedback on priorities and challenges.