Cairo, Egypt – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly convened a meeting Sunday evening to assess the progress of the first phase of the ‘Decent Life’ presidential initiative, a nationwide project aimed at transforming rural villages across Egypt. The meeting underscored the government's steadfast commitment to ensuring the timely completion of projects and maximizing the benefits for citizens.

Key officials, including Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and International Cooperation, and Sherif El-Sherbini, Minister of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities, participated in the review.

The initial phase of the ‘Decent Life’ initiative targets 1,477 villages across 20 governorates, focusing on enhancing essential services and infrastructure. Ahmed Abdel Azim, head of the Dar Al-Handasah consulting firm, reported significant advancements: 348 villages have achieved full project completion, with 95 of those finalized in the past two weeks alone. Additionally, 1,007 villages are nearing completion at 95%, and another 150 are projected to be finished by the end of March. In recent weeks, 843 projects spanning various sectors have been completed, and 3,398 projects have been officially handed over.

Abdel Azim provided detailed updates on the remaining projects, outlining specific timelines and emphasizing the collaborative efforts with stakeholders to expedite completion.

Minister Al-Mashat revealed that the first phase of the initiative has a budget of 350 billion Egyptian pounds. Notably, 70% of the investments are allocated to human development, while 30% are designated for green investments, reflecting the government's commitment to sustainable development.

A substantial 68% of the first phase's funding is directed towards Upper Egypt, covering 34 beneficiary centers in nine governorates, encompassing 199 local units and 900 villages, and benefiting 11 million citizens. Upper Egypt has also seen significant progress in infrastructure development, accounting for 55% of completed school construction and renovation projects and 59% of completed healthcare service projects.

Prime Minister Madbouly reiterated the government's dedication to closely monitoring the ‘Decent Life’ initiative to ensure projects are not only completed but also effectively serve the needs of rural communities, thereby optimizing the return on investments. The initiative is a cornerstone of Egypt's broader strategy to enhance living standards and promote inclusive development across the nation.