Egypt’s Six-Month Price Reduction Initiative to Expand to 30 Essential Goods

Egypt’s six-month price-reduction initiative for essential goods will expand from 12 to 30 commodities, according to a government statement following Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s Governors’ Council meeting on Monday, 14 September.

Launched on Thursday, 10 September, the initiative is currently offering 12 essential commodities at reduced prices through around 284 outlets nationwide, including consumer complexes, Gamayati outlets (government-backed grocery stores), and ration supply agents.

The six-month programme, which will run through March 2027 and include the month of Ramadan, is part of the government’s efforts to make essential goods more accessible, increase supply, and support price stability.

Another 18 commodities are expected to be added during September, bringing the total number covered by the initiative to 30.

Several major retail chains have joined the initiative and are offering the discounted commodities through their branches across the country.

As part of the wider effort to support the initiative, Madbouly directed governors to intensify inspections of markets and retail outlets, ensure essential goods remain available, and require shops to clearly display prices for consumers.

He also called for the establishment of at least one permanent market in every governorate, as well as seasonal markets and temporary exhibitions during holidays, peak seasons, and special occasions. The government said these markets would help make essential goods more accessible and contribute to price stability.

The meeting also covered the government’s “Greening All Governorates” project, which aims to expand green spaces by converting vacant areas into planted spaces. 

Governors were further instructed to personally oversee sanitation, street lighting, internal roads, drinking water and sewage services, and the removal of encroachments. Madbouly called for citizen complaints to be prioritised through operations rooms and citizen service centres, with authorities expected to address the underlying causes of complaints.

The meeting also reviewed preparations for the new academic year, with governors instructed to monitor schools and their surrounding areas to ensure the education process runs smoothly.