Sawiris Foundation Signs an MoU with AFD, Essam and May Allam Foundation, and the Louis Dreyfus Foundation to Develop Agricultural Solutions

To advance innovative, climate-smart agricultural solutions that support smallholder farmers in Egypt—particularly in the governorates of Sohag and Minya—Sawiris Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Essam and May Allam Foundation, and the Louis Dreyfus Foundation to launch a joint pilot project aimed at achieving this important goal.

With this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), AFD, Essam and May Allam Foundation, Louis Dreyfus Foundation and The Sawiris Foundation for Social Development formalized their collaboration to tackle the significant challenges faced by smallholder farmers in rural Egypt, particularly focusing on climate vulnerability and limited credit and market access. The proposed solution is a comprehensive package of bundled agricultural services, centered around tailored credit products designed to incentivize the adoption of climate-smart inputs and practices. This approach aims to enhance farmers’ resilience to climate change, leading to improved crop quality and yields.

Marie-Hélène Loison, Deputy Director General of AFD, emphasized: “AFD will provide a technical support from its Impact Evaluation Department and is proud to join forces with two major Egyptian foundations and Louis Dreyfus for its longstanding experience of projects promoting sustainable micro-farming and agricultural practices.

Naguib Sawiris, Founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Sawiris Foundation, said: “this partnership marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing commitment to sustainable development and empowering Egyptian communities. By joining forces with AFD, Essam and May Allam Foundation, and Louis Dreyfus Foundation, we are able to expand our reach and deliver innovative, climate-smart agricultural solutions directly to small farmers in Sohag and Minya”.

Laila Hosny, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation, said: “this initiative is a testament to our belief in collective action to drive lasting change, providing tangible pathways to increased income and economic stability for those who need it most”.

Robert Serpollet, General Manager of Louis Dreyfus Foundation, said: “Together, we will work towards the shared goal of uplifting agricultural communities. This joint effort and collaboration are essential for shaping more resilient communities and a more sustainable food system”.

Hassan E. Allam, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Essam and May Allam Foundation, said: “This partnership reaffirms our commitment to advancing evidence-based solutions, a vision championed by my late father and sister which we are keen to uphold. We are proud to work alongside our distinguished partners in delivering climate-smart agricultural solutions tailored to the needs of Egypt’s smallholder farmers”.

Amr E. Allam, Founder and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Essam and May Allam Foundation, said: “This project aims to improve productivity, raise incomes, and build climate resilience in Sohag and Minya—underscoring our mission to help uplift communities and break the cycle of poverty”.

It is worth noting that the Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant step toward empowering smallholder farmers in Egypt through climate-smart, sustainable agriculture. By combining the strengths of all four partners, the initiative offers a scalable model to boost productivity, build climate resilience, and improve livelihoods in rural communities.

-Ends-

Press contacts:

For AFD: Zied Ounissi [email protected] / Kabil Zerouali [email protected]

For the Sawiris Foundation: Mohamed Lotfy / [email protected]

For LDF: Ekaterina Naymark / [email protected]

For Essam and May Allam Foundation: Hala Samy / [email protected]

The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group has established itself as a key player in Franco-Egyptian cooperation, working since 2006 to support the country’s economic, social and environmental transitions.

In response to these challenges, AFD is stepping up its efforts and in 2022 revised its strategic intervention framework to support the country in the transitions underway and respond to Egypt’s specific climate change adaptation needs, gender equality or training and employment.

With a portfolio of €2.3 billion (November 2023), AFD is deploying a diversified range of instruments to support the Egyptian government in its development objectives, mainly in the sustainable infrastructure sectors (energy, transport, water and sanitation), climate finance, support for the private sector and entrepreneurship, and social sectors, including social protection. Today, 55 projects are underway, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reflecting the priorities shared by Egypt and France. They are intended to support the integration of Egyptian financial, commercial and productive systems at the regional level; to support the development of green, inclusive and efficient infrastructure; and promote equitable and sustainable local territorial development.

Learn more about the AFD Group’s activity in Egypt