Egypt is preparing to launch a nationwide "Youth Economy" initiative aimed at increasing young people's participation in economic activity by transforming youth centers into integrated platforms that support entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and local investment.

The initiative was discussed during a meeting between Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, and Gawhar Nabil, Minister of Youth and Sports, as part of directives issued by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to strengthen youth engagement in economic development under Egypt Vision 2030.

Strengthening Youth Participation in Economic Development

During the meeting, Minister Ahmed Rostom emphasized the vital role of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in empowering young people and channeling their potential toward sustainable development.

He reaffirmed the Ministry of Planning's commitment to supporting the project, describing it as a strategic pillar of the government's efforts to improve living standards, build human capital, and localize sustainable development goals across Egypt's governorates.

Data-Driven Planning for Local Opportunities

Rostom noted that the Ministry of Planning possesses comprehensive and regularly updated development databases through its oversight of the Decent Life (Hayah Karima) initiative and Egypt's national development plan.

He said these datasets, developed in cooperation with the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), will help identify each governorate's competitive advantages and direct investment toward the most promising sectors.

National Institutions to Support Entrepreneurship

The initiative will also leverage national institutions to strengthen entrepreneurship and startup development.

State-backed firms NI Capital and NI Consulting will provide investment management and technical advisory services, while the Egypt Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center will deliver entrepreneurship training, support freelance work, and assist startups throughout their growth journey.

Turning Youth Centers into Economic Assets

Minister Gawhar Nabil described the initiative as an ambitious national project designed to transform youth potential into productive economic value.

He stressed that its success depends on close coordination among government ministries to connect young people with real investment opportunities while maximizing the competitive strengths of each governorate.

The minister also highlighted the importance of utilizing the Ministry of Youth and Sports' extensive infrastructure—including youth centers, sports facilities, youth cities, and civic education centers—by converting them into integrated economic, investment, and community development hubs capable of reducing the financial burden on the state through innovative asset management.

Supporting Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Jobs

According to the implementation framework presented during the meeting, the initiative aims to establish a development model linking youth with local economies by mapping regional competitive advantages, identifying high-growth sectors, and assessing labor market needs.

The project will offer vocational training, entrepreneurship programs, and support for startups, helping create sustainable employment opportunities while stimulating local investment.

Implementation will begin with institutional preparation, followed by pilot projects in selected governorates before nationwide expansion. A national database and digital performance dashboard will also be established to support decision-making and monitor key performance indicators.

Advancing Egypt Vision 2030

Officials said the initiative is expected to promote balanced regional development, strengthen local economies, reduce internal migration, and improve social stability.

Once launched, the Youth Economy initiative will transform youth centers into dynamic platforms supporting entrepreneurship, digital and green economy projects, micro-enterprises, and connections between young entrepreneurs, investors, and financing institutions, reinforcing Egypt's long-term sustainable development strategy under Egypt Vision 2030.