Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, met with Gohar Nabil, Minister of Youth and Sports, to discuss the implementation of the Youth Economy initiative, which the Ministry of Planning is preparing to launch to enhance young people’s contribution to Egypt’s economic development. The initiative forms part of the government’s programme under Egypt Vision 2030 and implements President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s directives to increase youth participation in economic activity through stronger coordination among state institutions. During the meeting, Rostom underscored the ministry’s role in empowering young people and translating their potential into productive contributions to national development. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to providing all necessary support to ensure the initiative’s success, describing it as a key pillar of the state’s vision for human development, improving living standards, and localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Egypt. He noted that, through its oversight of the Decent Life initiative and the country’s economic and social development plan, the ministry has comprehensive and regularly updated databases covering all governorates. Rostom said the ministry, in cooperation with the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS), is ready to provide the Ministry of Youth and Sports with the data needed to identify each governorate’s comparative advantages and maximise its economic potential. He added that NI Capital and NI Advisory will support the initiative by managing investment portfolios and funds while providing technical advisory services to ensure optimal use of national resources. Rostom also highlighted the role of the Egypt Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre in building young people’s capabilities, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting start-ups throughout their growth journey. For his part, Nabil described the initiative as an ambitious national project aimed at transforming young people’s potential into a productive economic force. He said its success depends on effective coordination among government entities to connect young people with real investment opportunities while leveraging the competitive advantages of each governorate. He stressed the importance of maximising the value of the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ assets, including youth centres, youth and sports development centres, and youth and sports cities, by transforming them from service facilities into integrated economic, investment, and community hubs. According to Nabil, this approach would also help ease pressure on the state budget through more innovative and efficient asset management. The meeting included a detailed presentation on the initiative, which aims to create a development model linking young people with local economies by preparing a national map of governorates’ competitive advantages, identifying high-potential economic sectors, and assessing labour market needs. The initiative will also offer vocational training and entrepreneurship programmes to create sustainable employment opportunities, encourage local investment, and equip young people with market-relevant skills. The presentation outlined the project’s implementation phases, beginning with institutional preparations, followed by pilot implementation in selected governorates before nationwide expansion. A national database and digital monitoring dashboard will also be established to support decision-making and monitor key performance indicators. The ministers also reviewed the initiative’s expected developmental impact, which includes promoting balanced regional investment, strengthening local economies, reducing internal migration, and supporting social stability. The Youth Economy initiative seeks to leverage the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ extensive network of youth centres, sports facilities, youth cities, and civic education centres by transforming them into platforms that support entrepreneurship, the digital and green economy, and the incubation of microenterprises. It will also connect young entrepreneurs with financing institutions and investors ahead of its launch in selected pilot governorates before its nationwide rollout.The post Egypt advances initiative to boost entrepreneurship, youth participation in economy first appeared on Dailynewsegypt.
