Project profile — Opportunities for Women in Agribusiness in Egypt

• Egypt (100.00%)

• Public sector policy and administrative management:
Public sector policy and administrative management (15110) (10.00%)
Women's rights organisations and movements, and government institutions (15170) (20.00%)
Ending violence against women and girls (15180) (10.00%)
• Business And Other Services: Business support services and institutions (25010) (15.00%)
• Agriculture: Agricultural water resources (31140) (10.00%)
• Industry: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) development (32130) (20.00%)
• General Environmental Protection: Environmental education/training (41081) (15.00%)

• Gender equality (significant objective)
• Nutrition (significant objective)
• Trade development (significant objective)
• Youth Issues (significant objective)

This project enhances women’s economic well-being in the agribusiness sector in two governorates of Upper Egypt. It focuses on advancing women’s economic empowerment by establishing women-led agribusinesses and partnerships with private sector companies. It aims to improve work environments for women and gender-responsiveness of the Government of Egypt’s labour policies and regulations. Project activities include: (1) increasing access to growth-oriented and environmentally sustainable agribusiness opportunities for women entrepreneurs; (2) providing business management, technical and entrepreneurial training and health services to beneficiaries; (3) engaging with local leaders and influences to challenge stereotypes related to gender equality; (4) supporting new and existing enterprises and strengthening women’s entrepreneurship networks; (5) working with local companies to adopt gender-responsive policies and workplace models in their operations; and (6) increasing the capacity of public institutions to mainstream gender into national policies and strategies that address barriers to women’s access and control over economic benefits, particularly those related to agribusiness. This project expects to benefit 6500 direct beneficiaries, 342 intermediaries, and 22,225 (10,898 women and 11,327 men) indirect beneficiaries.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) enhanced employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for women and more equitable ownership and control over environmentally sustainable agribusinesses; (2) expanded adoption of gender-responsive workplace policies and practices that enhance women’s well-being at established agribusinesses; and (3) improved gender responsiveness of key Government of Egypt policies, regulations and strategies that promote women’s economic empowerment and reduce barriers to women’s employment and entrepreneurship.

Results achieved as of March 2025 include: (1) 5 Local Community Committees (LCCs) analyzed root causes of gender discrimination and then delivered community campaigns to 5,000 individuals. This resulted in religious leaders speaking out against early marriage and men committing to take on increased unpaid care responsibilities in the home; (2) delivered a 12-day entrepreneurship training program to 125 women followed by tailored technical assistance to help start and grow their businesses. 95 graduates of the entrepreneurship program participated in a business plan competition for women entrepreneurs through Alex Bank, with 10 selected to receive an award of $270; (3) developed an entrepreneurship manual which is specifically tailored to women in the agribusiness sector, including real examples and success stories from the field. This is the first of its kind in Egypt; (4) supported 52 beneficiaries to participate in several trade exhibitions, including Food Africa and Torathna, resulting in sales agreements of $67,515.06; and (5) advanced OWAP’s innovative work to establish women owned and led agribusiness productive cooperatives in Egypt. During the reporting period, all 3 cooperatives achieved a major milestone by becoming officially registered with the Ministry of Social Solidarity.

• Proactive disclosure
• Related activities: Opportunities for women in agribusiness in Egypt