The "Decent Life" presidential initiative - the National Project for the Development of the Egyptian Countryside - is a multi-pronged and integrated initiative, launched by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in 2019. The Initiative aims at improving the living conditions and daily life of Egyptian citizens, within a framework of integration and unity of efforts among the state institutions, private sector entities, civil society and development partners in Egypt. The Initiative also aims to provide an integrated package of services, including various aspects of health, social and living conditions. It is a huge shared responsibility among these different parties to provide a decent life to Egyptian citizens, especially vulnerable groups.

MCIT Scope of Work

More than 20 ministries and entities, and 23 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are collaborating to implement this significant project. This is in addition to the Egyptian youth who are volunteering for charity and development work through the "Decent Life" Foundation to implement the initiative's work pillars and achieve its goals in 4,500 Egyptian villages.


The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) plays a significant role in implementing some of the initiative’s pillars, including developing the telecommunications infrastructure, through installing a fiber-optic cable network and covering targeted villages with mobile phone network services; developing post offices to serve citizens; and promoting human development.


MCIT Sector Pillars of Work:

Fiber Optic Cable Network Installation

Mobile Network Coverage Expansion

Providing Advanced Postal Services

Fostering Human Development (part of the institutional development mandate - building digital literacy, digital financial inclusion, digital economic empowerment, promoting e-Government under the project Digital Decent Life)

https://mcit.gov.eg/en/decent_life

• Egypt

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• People with disabilities
• The unemployed
• Remote and rural communities

The project has a clear methodology: targets three different poverty rates from over 70% to under 50% across 20 governorates, has a clear segmentation for the targeted beneficiary groups and it is spread across three phases. There is a national focus along with presidential focus and support and it is well documented.

The project touches upon all 17 UN SDGs, while Digital decent Life touches upon SDGs 5,8,10

It aims to leave no one behind, decreasing inequalities between rural areas and city centers, improving people's livelihoods, creating opportunities by enhancing their employability via capacity building programes. Women, girls and youth are at the heart of the initiative with crafted programmes to increase their employability and ensure decent work.