Dr. Ahmed Rustom, Egypt's Minister of Planning and Economic Development, and Chairman of the National Investment Bank, delivered a keynote speech at a session titled "Country-led approach to financing development through integrated national financing frameworks." The session was part of the "2026 Sustainable Development Goals Financing Dialogue" in Madrid, Spain, from October 27-29. The event was organized in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and the Spanish government.
During the session, Dr. Rustom highlighted Egypt's experience in restructuring the National Investment Bank and launching innovative financing mechanisms, such as an infrastructure financing guarantee, in collaboration with the World Bank and other international institutions. He emphasized that Egypt views integrated national financing frameworks as a strategic approach to ensure that financing is directed towards national development priorities.
The National Integrated Financing Strategy, developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, aligns with Egypt's Vision 2030 and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. The strategy provides a clear roadmap for mobilizing sustainable and innovative financing from local and international sources, with a focus on bridging financing gaps and mitigating risks associated with public finances and debt.
Dr. Rustom also mentioned the launch of the National Economic Transformation Programme, which supports Egypt's transition to medium-term planning, consistent with the medium-term budget framework. He highlighted the development of digital tools, including a Sustainable Development Goals data platform in governorates, which provides a comprehensive database for identifying development gaps and priorities at the local level.
The Minister emphasized that national development banks and institutions are crucial in financing large-scale development and strategic projects. He cited the experience of restructuring and developing the National Investment Bank as an example of the state's efforts to enhance the efficiency of institutional entities and maximize the economic return on assets.
Regarding green investments, Dr. Rustom revealed that the 2025/2026 investment plan targets 637 billion pounds in green public investments, representing 55% of total public investments. He also noted Egypt's leadership in sustainable financing through the issuance of green sovereign bonds worth $750 million in 2020.
Dr. Rustom concluded his speech by emphasizing the importance of the Sevilla Commitment and the Sevilla Action Platform in promoting international cooperation. He called on international financial institutions and development partners to integrate and increase the availability of concessional financing, expanding the use of non-governmental financial guarantees and blended financing tools.
Key points
- Egypt allocates 637 billion pounds for green investments in the 2025/2026 plan.
- The country's National Integrated Financing Strategy aligns with Egypt's Vision 2030 and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.
- Egypt issued green sovereign bonds worth $750 million in 2020, demonstrating its leadership in sustainable financing.
