Egypt's Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation announced on Sunday that Haya Karima (Decent Life) Initiative achieved an 85.5 per cent implementation rate for its first phase in November 2024, with financial allocations of 295.5 billion Egyptian pounds at 84.4 per cent availability. The initiative completed 16,812 projects, including the development of 100 villages at a cost of 21 billion Egyptian pounds, benefiting 1.2 million citizens and improving the "Basic Services Availability Index" by 69 points. Minister Rania Al-Mashat stated that the initiative is the largest of its kind globally, benefiting 18 million citizens in 1,500 villages in its first phase, with a total cost exceeding 350 billion Egyptian pounds and 23,000 projects. Regional and Sectoral Achievements Upper Egypt received 68 per cent of phase one allocations, benefiting 61 per cent of recipients. Over 70 per cent of investments were directed to human development, supporting the National Strategy for Human Rights. Key accomplishments include: * Education: 15,000 classrooms constructed or upgraded, 1,300 schools renovated, and illiteracy eradicated for 510,000 citizens. Classroom density fell by 3 points in governorates like Minya, Qena, and Sohag, while illiteracy dropped by 7 points from 2021 to 2024. * Water and Sanitation: 21 wastewater treatment plants, 937 sanitation projects, and 1.4 million household sanitation connections completed. Additionally, 248 drinking water stations and 1,380 network extensions (5,400 km) were developed. * Natural Gas and Telecommunications: Gas networks reached 506 villages, increasing subscriptions by 299 per cent from 2021 to 2024. Meanwhile, fiber-optic networks reached 766 villages, boosting subscriptions by 41 per cent, while 1,277 mobile towers were installed. * Financial Inclusion: 65.6 billion Egyptian pounds in loans were provided to small and micro-enterprises for 2.9 million beneficiaries. Infrastructure improvements included 137 bank branches, 1,254 ATMs, and expanded online and mobile banking services, raising financial inclusion by 11 points. Ongoing Projects and Green Initiatives The initiative supports Egypt's 2050 Climate Strategy, with 30 per cent of investments classified as green projects. Three villages – Fares (Aswan), Nahtay (Gharbia), and Shama (Menoufia) – were certified as Green Villages under the Tarsheed programme by the World Green Building Council. Additionally, 1,102 health care units and 24 central hospitals are under construction as part of the comprehensive health insurance system. Haya Karima exemplifies Egypt's commitment to sustainable development, reducing poverty, and bridging infrastructure gaps. Attribution: Egyptian Cabinet Subediting: M. S. Salama
