Egypt advances pharmaceutical self-sufficiency and healthcare initiatives
via Egypt Today1 min read
Egypt's Minister of Health and Population, Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, held a meeting to accelerate the national strategy for pharmaceutical localization and presidential healthcare initiatives. The government aims to make Egypt a regional hub for medical innovation and vaccine production by the end of 2026, prioritizing "Drug Security." The "Presidential Initiative for Women’s Health" has screened over 45 million women, with plans to expand the "Start it Right" program to an additional 5 million women in rural areas in 2026. The integration of iBreast digital screening technology is expected to reduce diagnosis wait times by 40%. The Ministry is also adopting Precision Medicine for oncology and hemophilia patients, with a training program to certify 10,000 healthcare professionals by late 2026. Plans are underway to localize vaccine manufacturing to reduce pharmaceutical import costs by an estimated 30% and position Egypt as a provider of vaccines and essential medications for African and Middle Eastern markets.
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Must ReadThe Suez Canal Economic Zone SCZone has attracted approximately $16 billion in investments over the past four years, a substantial increase from about $2 billion in earlier periods, according to its chairman Walid Gamal El-Din. Speaking at the Egypt–OECD Country Programme High-Level Roundtable, Gamal El-Din attributed this progress to reforms and development efforts initiated since 2015, describing 2025 as a "harvest year" for these initiatives. More than 160 factories and projects have been established across the zone’s ports and industrial areas, indicating increased industrial activity and investor interest. Investments secured since the beginning of the current year have reached around $6 billion, with further growth anticipated as new agreements are finalized. Gamal El-Din highlighted that international partnerships, particularly with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and strong government support have improved the investment climate and driven development within the zone. The SCZone has transformed into an integrated hub for industry, logistics, and trade, solidifying its role as a regional center for global commerce. The zone also ranks among the top three globally in container terminal performance and first in the Middle East and Africa. Looking forward, the authority plans to expand investments in green sectors and advanced industries, aligning with Egypt’s broader goals for sustainable growth and attracting higher-value investments.
Must ReadPrime Minister Mostafa Madbouly met with Christophe Périllat, CEO of the French global automotive supplier Valeo, to discuss the state's support for the company's expansion in Egypt. Madbouly praised the inauguration of Valeo’s new Artificial Intelligence Development Center, which is intended to become a premier global R&D facility. He noted the efficiency of Egyptian youth and their ability to serve major global automakers through Valeo's advanced technologies. The Minister of Communications stated that the new center will start with 35 engineers, with plans to expand beyond 100 specialists. The facility will focus on integrating AI into Valeo's global productivity and developing next-generation software for smart mobility solutions.
Must ReadEgypt's Planning Minister Ahmed Rostom stated that the Suez Canal Economic Zone SCZone is a key component of the country's strategy to attract foreign investment and integrate into global supply chains. Speaking at a roundtable with the OECD and the Suez Canal Economic Zone Authority, Rostom noted that the Suez Canal handles approximately 12 percent of global trade and 20 percent of worldwide container traffic. The SCZone, which includes six ports and four industrial zones, is being developed as an integrated hub for manufacturing, logistics, and trade, supported by a unified digital platform for investor services. Rostom also mentioned improved performance, with Suez Canal activity growing by 8.6 percent in the first quarter and 24.2 percent in the second quarter of the current fiscal year. The government is prioritizing the localization of production, diversification of supply chains, and strengthening links between international investors and Egyptian companies to boost exports, attract foreign direct investment, enhance productivity, and facilitate technology transfer. This roundtable is part of the Egypt–OECD Country Programme, extended until June 2026, which includes 35 projects focused on economic reform, digital transformation, governance, and sustainable development, aiming to improve the investment climate and reinforce the SCZone's role as a regional gateway connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia.
The SCZONE has announced a new project by Indorama Egypt for Fertilizers in the Sokhna Industrial Zone, representing a total investment of $525 million. This integrated industrial complex aims to advance Egypt's industrial localization objectives. According to a Cabinet Media Center report, the project will cover 522,000 square meters and have an initial annual production capacity of 600,000 tons. The facility will produce phosphate fertilizers and key chemicals such as ammonia, sulfur, potash, and urea. This initiative is strategically designed to decrease import dependency and increase national exports, with about 80% of its output intended for international markets. By localizing chemical industries that utilize mineral ores, the complex seeks to enhance domestic manufacturing and supply high-value products for the agricultural sector.