🇪🇬EgyptNorth Africa
Egyptian banks increase healthcare contributions to over 50% of CSR spending
via Egypt Today1 min read
The Central Bank of Egypt has urged banks to enhance their support for national healthcare initiatives, aligning with the country's Sustainable Development Strategy 2030. In the first quarter of 2026, healthcare received over 50% of Egyptian banks' corporate social responsibility spending, an increase from 42% in 2025. Bank-funded projects include collaborations with the Ministry of Health and Population, upgrades to university hospitals, and the establishment of specialized medical facilities for various conditions like heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, and severe burns. Supported initiatives include the presidential program "Our Diabetes Heroes" for children with Type 1 diabetes, providing glucose monitoring devices to low-income families. Banks are funding the first phase of this program until the end of 2026, with a second phase planned to expand device provision. The banking sector also backs a presidential program to reduce critical surgery waiting lists, focusing on procedures such as heart surgery, joint replacements, and corneal transplants. An agreement between the Central Bank and the Medical Emergency Fund will extend this program's reach over three years from 2026. Further support has been directed towards intensive care units in public hospitals, equipping Al-Mabra Hospital, and developing the Fayoum Oncology Centre. University medical facilities, including the National Cancer Institute at Cairo University and Ain Shams University Medical City, have also recei
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Egypt Today.
The Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company GUPCO has initiated the second development phase of the North Safa field in the Gulf of Suez. This phase is backed by investments from UAE-based Dragon Oil and the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation. The field currently produces approximately 15,000 barrels of oil per day from five wells. GUPCO plans to add another well soon, projected to boost production by about 2,500 barrels per day. The total investment for both development phases of the North Safa field is around $170 million, aligning with Egypt's goal to increase domestic crude oil production. This second phase also involved establishing a permanent electricity connection between the field and the Ramadan-6 complex via a 10-kilometer subsea cable, linking the field's facilities to the national power grid. This new connection is expected to reduce operating costs by approximately $3,700 per day and eliminate diesel use, contributing to lower costs, improved environmental performance, and increased returns on petroleum-sector investments.
Must ReadForeign Minister Badr Abdelatty called for renewed international focus on the Palestinian cause during discussions with European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica. Abdelatty emphasized the importance of redirecting international efforts to fully implement the first phase of the US president's peace plan and advance to the second phase. The minister also briefed the European official on Egypt's positions regarding developments in Lebanon, Libya, and Sudan, reaffirming Cairo's commitment to resolving regional conflicts. Consultations covered the latest developments in the US-Iran negotiating track, with Abdelatty outlining Egypt's assessment of the regional situation and its efforts to resolve conflicts. He stressed building on the momentum from the US-Iran memorandum of understanding to reinforce de-escalation, strengthen regional security, and safeguard freedom of navigation. Abdelatty welcomed progress in Egypt-EU ties, highlighting the momentum from last year's Egypt-EU Summit and the 11th EU-Egypt Association Council meeting. He stressed strengthening economic, trade, and investment cooperation, describing it as a cornerstone of the strategic partnership, and appreciated the EU's support for Egypt's economic reform and financial stability, as well as cooperation in education, scientific research, and skills development. Abdelatty called for deeper cooperation on migration and mobility through a long-term strategic approach and welcomed the launch of the Pac
Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Prof. Dr. Hani Sewilam, reviewed preparations for the ninth Cairo Water Week, scheduled for October 25–29, 2026. The event is a key mechanism for advancing international cooperation within the Second Generation Egyptian Water System 2.0, providing a global platform for policymakers, experts, and organizations to address water challenges. The scientific committee has progressed with evaluating abstracts and papers, and the technical program is expanding with regional and international partners. Official invitations have been sent to 133 countries, with 13 responding so far. The event will feature competitions for young researchers and innovators, including the Young Innovators Competition, Ala El Aad Rationalize Competition, and Three Minute Thesis Competition. Submissions for the Best Graduation Projects Competition open on August 15, 2026. High-level meetings include the Seventh Arab Water Conference, focusing on water-use efficiency, governance of shared water resources, innovative financing, non-conventional water resources, and smart water management. Cairo Water Week will also host a high-level event on water security by the World Water Council and China's Ministry of Water Resources, and the final preparatory session for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference. Organizers are coordinating with the World Water Council for a special session as part of the "Road to Riyadh 2027" initiative, linking the event to the 11th W