Ashraf AboArafe
Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Witnesses the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the German Agency for International Cooperation and the International Fund for Agricultural Development to Advance Climate-Resilient Agricultural and Rural Development under the “NWFE” Program
Cairo — H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) Egypt and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), aimed at strengthening technical cooperation to promote climate-resilient agricultural and rural development under Egypt’s national platform for the NWFE Program (Water–Food–Energy Nexus).
The MoU was signed by Ms. Regine Qualmann, Country Director of GIZ Egypt, and Dr. Mohamed Abdelkader, Country Director and Head of the Multi-Country Regional Office of IFAD, in the presence of Mr. Holger Elle, Head of German Cooperation at the German Embassy in Cairo.
This partnership aligns with the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to deepen collaboration with development partners to implement projects under the NWFE national platform across its three pillars—energy, water, and food. The cooperation will enhance joint interventions under the Climate-Resilient Water Management in the Nile Valley (CROWN) project, the Sustainable Transformation for Agricultural Resilience in Upper Egypt (STAR) project, as well as the Agricultural Innovation for Biodiversity (AIB) project implemented by GIZ.
Following the signing, Dr. Al-Mashat stated:
“This partnership reflects Egypt’s commitment to advancing integrated approaches across the water, food, and energy nexus. It underscores the importance of coordinating international cooperation by aligning technical expertise with financing instruments to strengthen climate resilience, support sustainable livelihoods, and maximize development impact in rural communities. This approach is fully consistent with Egypt’s ‘National Narrative for Inclusive Development,’ which places human development, social justice, and sustainable livelihoods at the heart of economic transformation—beyond macroeconomic stability.”
Dr. Al-Mashat commended IFAD’s pivotal role as a key partner within the food pillar of the NWFE platform, recognizing its longstanding contributions to sustainable rural development in Egypt. She also emphasized the close cooperation with GIZ and the German side, particularly in implementing energy-pillar projects under NWFE, stressing the importance of integrating development partners’ technical expertise to deliver effective, resilience-building interventions for agricultural and rural communities.
For his part, Mr. Holger Elle, Head of German Cooperation at the German Embassy in Cairo, said:
“Germany was among the earliest supporters of the NWFE Program in Egypt, with a strong focus on the energy pillar. Today, we further strengthen this commitment by supporting food security and sustainable agriculture as core components of Egypt’s climate agenda and our strategic partnership for resilient and inclusive development.”
Ms. Regine Qualmann, Country Director of GIZ Egypt, noted:
“This MoU reaffirms GIZ’s role as a committed partner to the NWFE Program in Egypt and highlights our contribution to adaptation and resilience-building efforts under the food and water pillars. By combining GIZ’s technical cooperation with IFAD’s financial strength, we aim to deliver lasting impact for smallholder farmers and rural communities.”
Dr. Mohamed Abdelkader, Country Director and Head of IFAD’s Multi-Country Regional Office, added:
“This cooperation builds on a strong institutional foundation and a shared commitment to rural transformation. The MoU enables the scaling-up of climate-resilient solutions, the strengthening of agricultural value chains, and the improvement of incomes for smallholder farmers.”
The agreement enhances on-the-ground coordination between GIZ’s technical cooperation and IFAD’s development financing, amplifying development impact and ensuring the sustainability of interventions in targeted governorates. It also reflects Germany’s comprehensive support for Egypt’s NWFE agenda by linking adaptation and resilience-building efforts with continued mitigation support under the energy pillar. Through combined technical and financial cooperation—including support provided via the German Development Bank (KfW)—Germany continues to pursue a balanced approach that addresses climate challenges while advancing inclusive and sustainable development.
The MoU further encompasses cooperation on environmentally friendly practices and innovative solutions to improve soil fertility, the use of improved crop varieties, and the adoption of modern farming techniques. It also supports the expansion of digital solutions in agriculture, including digital literacy initiatives and innovation challenges, alongside enhanced market access and value-chain linkages. These efforts collectively aim to advance comprehensive, climate-adaptive rural development, with a particular focus on empowering farmer organizations and strengthening financial literacy among smallholder farmers.
