On account of its strategic location in the Middle East, Egypt is one of the priority partner countries of German and international development cooperation. Since 1956, GIZ has been implementing projects in all parts of the country on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Experts from the Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM) support a number of Egyptian institutions in the public and private sectors. We also work on behalf of other German public sector clients and international organisations. The departments which deal with vocational training and networking for managers and experts have a particularly important role to play during the political transition. At present, a total of 165 staff (22 seconded experts, 13 CIM integrated experts, and 130 national experts and support staff) are working for GIZ in Egypt.

Egypt in transition

Egypt is confronted with many problems which hamper development. They include a high rate of population growth, high population density, dwindling natural resources, an increasing demand for energy, rising unemployment, especially among young people, a lack of educational opportunities, development disadvantages faced by women, and the weakening of the economy as a result of the revolution.

Growing dissatisfaction with poor governance resulted in mass protests and demonstrations in early 2011, with young Egyptians featuring prominently in the unrest. This eventually led to the collapse of the Mubarak regime. The upheavals offer Egypt an opportunity to make the transition to a more democratic political, social and economic system based on greater distributive justice.

German development cooperation with Egypt

The sociopolitical transition and current stagnation of the economy present new challenges and opportunities for development cooperation. The priority areas agreed with the Egyptian Government are:

climate and environmental protection, with a focus on the promotion of renewable energies and energy efficiency
water resources and water management

This strategic focus has proved successful in the current transitional situation.

Other programmes under way focus on employment promotion measures, labour market policy, women’s rights and urban development. The Participatory Development Programme in Urban Areas receives much of its funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Germany launched immediate measures to provide effective support to the post-revolution transition; these have a strong employment policy component. Germany’s commitment to international cooperation with Egypt also includes several regional programmes in which Egypt is the lead country.

The political transition offers new scope for more intensive cooperation with civil society and the private sector, as well as for measures to promote good governance. Many ongoing projects and programmes have been adapted accordingly.