The Ministry of International Cooperation signed a development financing agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) , worth €109 million, including a grant of €1 million,
to strengthen sanitation services in the Luxor Governorate, to support the government's priorities for developing wastewater treatment plants, and to enhance the sustainability of water usage and resources in the governorates, particularly rural areas.
This comes within the framework of the ministry’s endeavor to consolidate economic diplomacy with multilateral and bilateral development partners, provide development funds for various sectors, including the private sector, and support efforts to implement the National Development Agenda 2030; consistent with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in coordination with the concerned authorities and ministries.
“Water is at the heart of sustainable development as it is closely linked to a large number of key sectors pushing for enhanced livelihoods and community development. Our strategic partnership with the African Development Bank over the years has been vital in accelerating the implementation of initiatives that drive growth, agriculture and food security, clean energy and health and well-being, not just in Egypt but in Africa” said Her Excellency Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, who signed on behalf of the Government of Egypt. Al-Mashat said that the new agreement signed with AfDB works to meet the government's requirements in developing drinking water and sanitation services in Upper Egypt, enhancing the sustainability of water resources, and preserving the cleanliness of the environment in a way that promotes sustainable development. She explained that this project achieves many SDGs, including the SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goals. She added that the development of water and sanitation services in the Luxor Governorate, financed by AfDB, aims to improve the lives of citizens, especially those most in need, by providing necessary services and by supporting the state's strategy in implementing the nation-wide goal of ensuring sanitation services across all villages in rural Egypt. By treating sludge in sewage treatment plants, and improving the use of water resources, the minister continued to explain that this agreement will provide sanitation services to nearly 22,000 families, which makes up for about 161.9 thousand people, in a number of locations and villages in Luxor. About 30,000 cubic meters of treated wastewater per day is discharged safely into drainage and irrigation channels, to be reused in agricultural production. The program also aims to improve the capacity of employees working in sewage stations. “Through the IRSUE-Luxor, the Bank is confirming its commitment to support the water and sanitation sector in Egypt through an integrated approach, combining infrastructure development and sector reforms that will strengthen sustainability and financial viability of the sanitation services”, said Malinne Blomberg, the Bank’s Deputy Director General for the North Africa region and Country Manager for Egypt. She explained that the agreement to strengthen sanitation services in the Luxor Governorate is aligned with the bank's policy that promotes effective, equitable and sustainable development through integrated water resource management.
Development Funds During 2020 for the Water and Wastewater Sector
In The annual 2020 report launched by the Ministry of International Cooperation titled “International Partnerships for Sustainable Development: Writing the Future in a Changing Global Dynamic”, it was explained that $9.8 billion of development financing were secured for the sustainable development goals to meet 2030 targets. $6.7 billion were secured for financing sovereign projects and $3.1 billion were secured in support of the private sector. According to the report, development funds amounting to $916.5 million went to water and sanitation projects, including $244.2 from the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) and $183 million from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), to complete the Bahr El-Baqar water drainage system. AfDB also provided $121 million to develop the sewage system in several areas in Upper Egypt, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) provided $208.06 million for the Fayoum wastewater treatment project. In addition, the European Investment Bank (EIB) approved $134 million of development funds for the project to expand and develop the western sewage treatment plant in Alexandria, and the KFAED provided $18 million in financing for the construction of two water desalination plants in New Rafah and Bir al-Abd New City. Germany also provided two grants worth $2.76 million and $5.53 million to develop infrastructure in urban areas and to develop water and sanitation projects. It is worth noting that the partnership between Egypt and the AfDB Group is about five decades long, as the bank has implemented over 100 financing operations in Egypt, worth $6 billion dollars. These projects covered many sectors, including energy, agriculture, water and sanitation. Last year, the AfDB provided $225 million to finance the electricity subsidy program, promote green growth, increase sustainable development, and mitigate the effects of