Mr. Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance, announced during the press conference held today by Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, at the Government Headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, in the presence of Mr. Diaa Rashwan, Minister of State for Information, that implementation of the new social protection package will commence before the holy month of Ramadan.

 

The package, with a total cost of EGP 40.3 billion, is aimed at supporting the most vulnerable and low-income groups, in implementation of the directives of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The Minister explained that the new package includes direct cash assistance to eligible beneficiaries to help improve their living conditions during Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr. An additional cash support of EGP 400 will be provided to 10 million families registered on ration cards during March and April 2026, at a total cost of EGP 8 billion.

Furthermore, an additional EGP 400 will be granted during Ramadan and Eid to 5.2 million families benefiting from the “Takaful and Karama” program, at a total cost of EGP 4 billion.

 

An additional EGP 300 will also be provided during the same period to 45,000 beneficiaries of the Child Allowance and rural female leaders’ pension scheme.

Kouchouk added that EGP 3 billion has been allocated to accelerate the clearance of medical waiting lists and critical cases, in order to alleviate the suffering of patients and their families.

 

An additional EGP 3 billion will be allocated to increase state-funded treatment for low-income citizens without health insurance coverage during the period from February to June 2026.

He noted that H.E. the President has directed that all critical cases be treated at the state’s expense, so that their recovery may be celebrated by the time of Eid Al-Fitr.

The Minister further confirmed that EGP 3.3 billion has been earmarked to accelerate the rollout of the Comprehensive Health Insurance System in Minya Governorate, effective from April 1, with the Treasury covering the contributions of those unable to pay under the system.

He added that EGP 15 billion has been allocated to the presidential “Decent Life” initiative to expedite the completion of nearly 1,000 projects aimed at improving service quality across all villages in the first phase.

The package also includes EGP 4 billion to finance the increase in the local wheat procurement price for the 2026 season, raising the price per ardeb from EGP 2,200 to EGP 2,350.