Sunday 15 February 2026 – 11:51 PM
Ahmed Sayed, First Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance and Head of the Human Development Budgets Sector, said that the new social protection package directed by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi represents the real beginning of a comprehensive transformation in the management of the social protection file, stressing that it comes within the framework of directing the fruits of growth and positive economic indicators to the benefit of citizens, especially the most vulnerable groups.
Sayed explained during television statements that the value of the package exceeds 40 billion pounds, and is based on 4 main axes, the first of which is providing direct cash support worth 400 pounds to about 10 million families registered on ration cards during the months of March and April, at a total cost of 8 billion pounds. It also includes support for 5.2 million families benefiting from the “Solidarity and Dignity” program worth 400 pounds during the month of Ramadan and Eid, at a cost of 4 Billions of pounds, in addition to additional support for some groups such as child pension holders and rural women pioneers.
He pointed out that the second axis focuses on the health sector, by allocating 3 billion pounds to end waiting lists for critical cases, and an additional 3 billion pounds to the treatment program at state expense for low-income people not covered by health insurance, in addition to 3.3 billion pounds to early include Minya Governorate within the comprehensive health insurance system starting next April.
He added that the third axis allocates 15 billion pounds to complete the first phase of the presidential initiative for a decent life, by completing about a thousand service and development projects in villages and hamlets, which contributes to improving the quality of life and stimulating economic activity.
As for the fourth axis, it relates to raising the price of supplying local wheat ardab for the 2026 season from 2,200 to 2,350 pounds, in support of the Egyptian farmer, enhancing local production, and reducing the import bill.
Regarding wages and pensions, he indicated that the government is currently preparing a package of improvements that will be included in the new budget, in implementation of the directives of the political leadership, stressing that the goal is to achieve a real income that the citizen can feel, taking into account controlling inflation rates and ensuring financial sustainability.
