Cairo: Egypt is prioritizing innovation, digital transformation, and women's empowerment in its new economic growth model, said Planning Minister Rania Al-Mashat on Saturday, December 13, 2025. She warned that rapid technological change demands urgent reforms to the labor market and education system.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Al-Mashat, speaking at the 4th Egyptian Women Summit held under the theme STEM and Future Innovation Summit, emphasized that investing in entrepreneurship and skills in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and artificial intelligence is essential for competitiveness. 'Promoting innovation and digital transformation is a core part of our growth strategy,' Al-Mashat stated, highlighting the active role of youth in shaping Egypt's economy and society.
She referenced international reports projecting the loss of 75 million jobs worldwide by 2025 due to automation and digitalization, alongside the creation of 133 million new roles requiring different skills. 'This calls for urgent structural reforms to align labor supply with demand and modernize education and training systems,' she noted.
Al-Mashat detailed Egypt's initiatives to align education with market needs, such as allocating over 30 billion Egyptian pounds for education in the 2025/2026 fiscal year. This includes expanding applied technology schools in partnership with the private sector and transforming 1,270 technical schools into applied technology institutions. Agreements have been made to establish and operate 89 new schools starting next year.
The minister announced the launch of the Career and Employment Horizons Platform in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Germany's GIZ. The platform covers over 400 professions and nearly 98 percent of Egypt's workforce, aiming to help young people adapt to rapid changes in the labor market.
Al-Mashat also highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to support startups through a ministerial entrepreneurship group she chairs, which has drafted a Startups Charter with over 80 reforms and initiatives to be announced soon. She reaffirmed that empowering women in education, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship is a key factor for sustainable growth and creating a competitive, future-ready economy.