IGGE : Inclusive Green Growth in Egypt


The main barriers to the competitiveness of the total 2.5 million micro-small-medium enterprises in Egypt are a lack of affordable funding and a mismatch between the needs of the market and the skills available. With its proven expertise in micro-small-medium enterprises Switzerland supports economic growth and more efficient use of resources in Upper Egypt through the model of green economy such as utilizing agricultural waste to create jobs and strengthen livelihoods of communities.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Egypt
Employment & economic development
Climate change and environment
Vocational training
Business support & economic inclusion
Environmental policy
Vocational training
01.09.2019 - 30.06.2025
CHF  5’070’650
Background
  • Poverty in Egypt remains high and unemployment among youth is at 27.3%.
  • Egypt has 2.5 million MSMEs representing 75% of the total employed workforce. The main barriers to competitiveness are the lack of affordable funding and a mismatch between the needs of the market and the skills available.
  • Luxor and Qena governorates generate 1.3 million tons of agricultural waste per year, largely by grains straw, sugar cane residues, vegetable residues, especially tomatoes and date palm residues, which are mainly burnt for disposal.
  • Agricultural waste and other untapped profitable green resources represent significant market opportunities to utilize and leverage available local resources by the private sector, in particular MSMEs, leading to job creation and strengthened livelihoods of communities.
  • The Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Environment have prioritized green industries in their agendas.
  • Switzerland’s profile in Egypt is strong in environmental issues (water supply, sanitation, waste management).

 

Objectives To contribute to a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) environment that is more conducive to entrepreneurship, growth and job creation in the green economy.
Target groups Entrepreneurs, MSMEs, farmers; unemployed and underemployed young men and women (aged 15-35); local and national Business Development Services providers; educational institutions and government officials
Medium-term outcomes
  • Outcome 1: Vulnerable communities, especially young women and men gain access to capacity building opportunities and to jobs thanks to green growth approaches for start-ups and MSMEs in five value chains.
  • Outcome 2: The Government of Egypt includes evidence based inclusive green growth elements in its policies and legislations, and develops incentives for them.
Results

Expected results:  

  • Output 1.1: MSMEs (20% women led) in the 5 target value chains are trained to implement green growth models.
  • Output 1.2: Financial and non-financial services offered by Government and non-Government institutions in the 5 target value chains are upgraded in line with green growth models.
  • Output 1.3 Young people (aged 15-35, 50 % of which are women) in the target governorates are trained to access green jobs, based on market research and MSMEs’ consultations.
  • Output 2.1 The awareness of relevant stakeholders, including private sector, civil society, MoTI  and MoE on the green growth model and needed legislative, regulatory and financial improvements is enhanced

 


Results from previous phases:   Not applicable


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
United Nations Organization (UNO)
  • Industrial Development Organization


Other partners
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).Part of implementation of outcome 1 will be subcontracted to International Labour Organization (ILO).
Coordination with other projects and actors Coordination and synergies with SECO projects (IFC MSME TA Facility, MCICP, Women in Finance, NSWMP) and with other development partners such The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), World Bank, USAID, and European Union (EU).
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    5’070’650 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    5’070’602
Project phases Phase 1 01.09.2019 - 30.06.2025   (Current phase)