Egypt’s legislature has endorsed an extensive cabinet overhaul, approving changes to several ministries as the government confronts economic strain and instability spilling over from regional conflicts.
Lawmakers signed off on adjustments affecting 13 ministerial positions, including housing, higher education, communications, and youth and sports. Core ministries such as foreign affairs and defense were left intact.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi nominated the candidates after holding discussions with Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly earlier in the day, the presidency confirmed in a statement.
READ ALSO: With Sudan war nearing three years, Cairo becomes the latest venue for peace push
Several of the changes centred on economic management. Ahmed Rostom, a senior economist with the World Bank, takes charge of the planning ministry, while Mohamed Farid Saleh, who currently heads the Financial Regulatory Authority, assumes leadership of the Ministry of Investment.
Authorities have also revived the State Ministry of Information, which had been scrapped in 2021. Diaa Rashwan, who leads the State Information Service, has been appointed to oversee the reinstated ministry.
The new cabinet includes two female ministers. Randa al-Menshawi has been assigned to run the Housing Ministry, while Gihane Zaki takes over the culture portfolio.
Egypt continues to wrestle with severe economic headwinds triggered by years of austerity linked to an International Monetary Fund program launched in 2016, the global pandemic, and the economic ripple effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. More recently, the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza has intensified pressure. Houthi assaults on vessels in the Red Sea have diverted shipping traffic away from the Suez Canal, cutting into a crucial stream of foreign currency revenue.
READ ALSO: U.S.-Congo minerals pact triggers political and public resistance
IMF managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, told Sky News Arabia earlier this month that Egypt showed strong commitment to achieving the economic reform program’s objectives and implementing difficult measures and that a final review of Egypt’s economic reform program was in near completion.
Despite these efforts, economic reforms have pushed up living expenses for many Egyptians, with increases in fuel costs and subway fares coinciding with the Egyptian pound losing value against foreign currencies. Government figures, according to the AP, indicate that roughly 30% of the population lives below the poverty threshold.
Data released Tuesday by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics placed the country’s annual inflation rate at 10.1% in January, slightly lower than 10.3% recorded in December.
In 2025, authorities raised the national minimum monthly wage for workers in both the public and private sectors to 7,000 Egyptian pounds ($138), an increase from 6,000 pounds ($118.58).
Egypt last restructured its cabinet in July 2024.
