The Egyptian government will seek new sources of funding for social protection programmes, with improving living standards remaining its top priority over the next three years, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said.
Speaking at a session titled “Market Regulation and a More Effective Social Protection System” on the third day of Egypt Forum 2026 on Wednesday, Madbouly said the government was committed to supporting vulnerable groups despite unprecedented challenges facing Egypt and the world.
He said economic reforms, aimed at addressing long-standing structural problems, could put additional pressure on certain segments of society. As a result, the government has expanded social protection programmes to mitigate the impact of reforms on lower-income households.
Madbouly cited the Takaful and Karama cash assistance programme, which has benefited around 8.2 million Egyptian families since its launch.
The programme provides assistance to each family for three years, during which its circumstances are assessed to determine whether it can move out of poverty through employment opportunities and a sustainable income, reducing its dependence on government support.
Around 4.7 million families currently benefit from the programme. The state will continue to develop the initiative in line with prevailing economic conditions, the prime minister said, acknowledging that some groups would continue to need assistance.
Regarding the planned transition to a cash-based system for subsidised commodities, Madbouly stressed that the government did not intend to reduce either the value of subsidies or the number of eligible households. The aim, he said, was to ensure that support reached those who deserved it.
The current system covers subsidised bread and around four basic commodities. Under the proposed system, each eligible family would receive a designated financial allocation to buy essential goods according to its needs, giving households greater flexibility in choosing the commodities they require.
Madbouly added that the allocation would take inflation and other economic changes into account. The government has increased annual funding for in-kind subsidies in recent years. The proposed system would be designed to ensure that assistance keeps pace with changing economic conditions, he said.
Roughly 60 per cent of Egyptian households currently benefit from the existing subsidy system, Madbouly said, adding that the state allocates substantial resources to social protection.
