Egypt has launched the fifth cycle of its Government Excellence Award for 2026, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development said, as part of efforts to boost institutional performance and improve public services.
The award, which includes 15 institutional and individual categories, aims to entrench a culture of excellence across the public sector, enhance the efficiency of government entities and highlight outstanding civil servants, the ministry said in a statement.
Applications opened in April, following previous editions that encouraged hundreds of government bodies to adopt best practices, it added.
Planning and Economic Development Minister Ahmed Rustom said the award is a key tool to promote excellence in government work, foster positive competition among civil servants and support innovative ideas and initiatives that improve institutional performance.
“The award reflects the state’s strategic direction towards digital transformation, strengthening the capabilities of individuals and institutions, and reinforcing governance and transparency as pillars of sustainable economic and social development,” Rustom said.
The fifth cycle introduces updates to categories and evaluation criteria to further embed principles of excellence, sustainability and innovation, the ministry said, noting that performance indicators and assessment tools have been revised in line with international best practices.
New institutional categories include directorates of health, best entity supporting people with disabilities, and best joint project or initiative. A new individual category for best head of authority has also been added to broaden competition and encourage modern management practices among government leaders.
Hesham Badr, the award’s general supervisor, said the initiative has evolved beyond an evaluation tool into a driver for disseminating best practices across government institutions.
He added that the next phase aims to enhance the award’s impact on citizens by supporting more efficient and responsive public services.
The award will be officially launched in May 2026. Applications will be submitted electronically in May and June, followed by desk reviews, field visits and judging from July to mid-September, with final results and winners to be announced at a later date.
