Egypt commits LE 165B to food subsidies, calls for stronger global partnerships at G20
Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk reaffirmed that food subsidies remain a cornerstone of Egypt’s social protection strategy, highlighting that the state allocates around EGP 165 billion annually to support essential goods, benefiting more than 60 million citizens.
Speaking at a high-level G20 meeting in Cairo, Kouchouk outlined Egypt’s and Africa’s priorities for strengthening food security. He noted that Egypt has expanded agricultural land, raised productivity, and secured stable food supplies, while also funding programs to support farmers, encourage expansion, and enhance competitiveness in the agricultural sector.
He pointed to the expansion of the Takaful and Karama cash transfer program, which now covers 5 million families and links assistance to education and health outcomes.
Kouchouk stressed that national efforts must be reinforced by regional and international cooperation, calling on global institutions to step up resource mobilization for sustainable agricultural investment and climate resilience. He also emphasized Egypt’s support for the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty under the G20, while broadening the private sector’s role in sustainable development.
Reiterating Egypt’s commitment to fair, resilient, and climate-responsive food systems, Kouchouk warned that rising global food prices are straining public finances and slowing growth in developing nations. He underscored the urgency of addressing global financial imbalances, bridging development and climate financing gaps, and leveraging technology and AI to strengthen food security.