Egypt secures US$348M EU-AFD financing to expand universal health insurance

EGYPT — Egypt has signed two major healthcare financing agreements worth €300 million (US$348 million) with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Union, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to expand universal health coverage and improve primary healthcare services.

The agreements were signed during a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates, attended by senior Egyptian ministers, French officials, European Union representatives, and executives from the French Development Agency.

The healthcare package forms part of a broader set of cooperation agreements covering education, green industry, vocational training, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Funding Universal Health Insurance Expansion

According to Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population, the new financing will support the continued rollout of the country’s Universal Health Insurance System, strengthen its long-term sustainability, and expand access to healthcare services for citizens nationwide.

Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said one of the agreements focuses on reinforcing the universal health insurance programme, while the second supports improvements in primary healthcare.

The primary healthcare component aims to enhance the quality of essential health services and increase the operational efficiency of healthcare units and medical centres throughout Egypt’s governorates.

Abdel Ghaffar noted that the agreements reflect Egypt’s commitment to modernising its healthcare system through strategic international partnerships and advancing its goal of achieving universal health coverage.

The latest package builds on a long-standing partnership between Egypt and AFD.

The French agency has supported Egypt’s health sector reforms since 2019 and has played a key role in financing the rollout of universal health insurance, which has already expanded to several governorates and reached millions of beneficiaries.

Egypt and France deepen development cooperation

Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said the agreements represent another milestone in more than two decades of cooperation between Egypt and AFD across sectors such as transport, energy, water resources, infrastructure, and social development.

He added that the latest package reflects a shared commitment by Egypt, France, and the European Union to support sustainable development priorities in healthcare, education, vocational training, and environmentally sustainable industries.

The signing comes just days after Egypt and the European Union reaffirmed their Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership during the 11th EU-Egypt Association Council in Luxembourg, where both sides highlighted ongoing cooperation in development financing, investment, and human capital development.

Additional support for green industry and education

Alongside the healthcare agreements, Egypt signed a €45 million (US$52.2 million) credit facility for the Green Sustainable Industry programme, which will be implemented through the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency.

Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad said the initiative seeks to reduce industrial emissions, improve energy and resource efficiency, and support investments in renewable energy, circular economy projects, and green hydrogen technologies.

The programme, which will run until 2030, will provide both financial and technical assistance to industrial enterprises while helping Egyptian manufacturers comply with international environmental standards and strengthen their competitiveness in global markets.

Other agreements signed during the ceremony included grants to support French-language education in public schools, establish two applied technology schools in partnership with French institutions, and expand economic opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises through targeted financing and development programmes.