Egypt to receive US $129m for sanitation infrastructure for rural communities

Egyptian government is set to receive US $129m from the African Development Bank Group to improve sanitation infrastructure and services to rural communities in Luxor Governorate in Egypt’s Upper Nile region.

Rania Al-Mashat, Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation confirmed the report and said that the funds will help meet the country’s financing requirements in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also support a sound water and sanitation infrastructure base – a key enabler for the country’s inclusive development.

“Promoting efficient, equitable and sustainable economic development through integrated water resources management is a priority for the Government of Egypt. The Integrated Rural Sanitation in Upper Egypt-Luxor (IRSUE-Luxor) project should boost sewage coverage in the region from 6% to 55%, improving the quality of life of citizens, including women and children, who are most affected by poor sanitation. The IRSUE-Luxor initiative unlocks the socio-economic development potential for inclusive and green growth,” said Rania Al-Mashat.

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IRSUE-Luxor  will enable about 30,000 cubic meters of treated wastewater per day to be discharged into drainage and irrigation canals and re-used to enhance agricultural output. The project also complements the national Haya Karima (Decent Life) initiative that aims to help rural communities across Egypt access essential infrastructure services to improve their living conditions and livelihoods.

About 22,000 households (240,000 inhabitants) will benefit from on-site and off-site facilities, through an integrated system of sewerage networks, sludge treatment and wastewater treatment plants.

The funding initiative is in line with the Bank’s water sector policy, which promotes efficient, equitable and sustainable development through integrated water resources management. In addition, the operation supports tariff regulation to achieve full cost recovery, which is one of the basic principles of the Bank’s water sector policy.

“This intervention is not just about infrastructure development. An essential part of the project is supporting ongoing sector reforms,” said Malinne Blomberg, AfDB deputy director-general for North Africa