28# - Egypt Vision 2030 & Why senior officials should establish a Vision for their countries

I am a huge advocate of using strategy implementation and project management principles in most of the facets of our lives, including how countries are led. It is fascinating when you see examples of this happening for the greater good. Last weekend I participated in a great conference organized by two good friends, Dr. Saadi Adra and Dr. Lamia Sakr about Egypt's Vision 2030. I was not familiar with this ambitious initiative, probably positive news have little reach and are much less attractive than negative ones.

Researching about Egypt's Vision and how it was developed, made me wonder why so many countries don't have a vision to aim for and drive their countries into the future, including my home country, Spain, and other nations, like Germany, France, United States, United Kingdom or even the European Union. Maybe it is due to the short term of their leader's mandates, their lack of long term strategic thinking, or their ignorance of strategy and projects.

Every time I meet senior governmental officials I share the benefits of such an approach. How can we encourage their leaders to apply these powerful concepts that I am convinced bring economic, social, and sustainable prosperity, in addition to making their citizens proud of their countries?

Aligning with Sustainable Goals

Egypt Vision 2030 was launched in February 2016 by the Egyptian Government and President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. The vision consists of eight main national goals to be met by 2030 that are in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Sustainable Development Strategy for Africa 2063.

Inspired by the ancient Egyptian Civilization, linking the present to future, the Sustainable Development Strategy: Egypt Vision 2030 represents a foothold on the way towards inclusive development. Thus cultivating a prosperity path through, economic and social justice, and reviving the role of Egypt in regional leadership. It represents a roadmap for maximizing competitive advantage to achieve the dreams and aspirations of Egyptians in a dignified and decent life. 

In 2020, Egypt was the only country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with a positive GDP growth rate, being the only country to avoid economic recession over 2020–2021. Interestingly Egypt's Vision was updated to face the new reality post pandemic. 

Three Dimensions and Ten Pillars with Clear Objectives

SDS has followed the sustainable development principle as a general framework for improving the quality of lives and welfare, taking into consideration the rights of new generations in a prosperous life; thus, dealing with three main dimensions; economic, social, and environmental dimensions, and defining 10 pillars that are meant to be met by 2030:

First pillar: Economic development. By 2030, the Egyptian economy is a balanced, knowledge-based, competitive, diversified, market economy, characterized by a stable macroeconomic environment, capable of achieving sustainable inclusive growth. An active global player responding to international developments, maximizing value-added, generating decent and productive jobs, and a real GDP per capita reaching high-middle income countries level.

Second pillar: Energy. An energy sector meeting national sustainable development requirements and maximizing the efficient use of various traditional and renewable resources contributing to economic growth, competitiveness, achieving social justice, and preserving the environment. Renewable energy and efficient resource management leader, and an innovative sector capable of forecasting and adapting to local, regional and international developments and complying with SDGs.

Third pillar: Knowledge, innovation, and scientific research. A creative and innovative society producing science, technology, and knowledge, within a comprehensive system ensuring the developmental value of knowledge and innovation using their outputs to face challenges and meet national objectives.

Fourth pillar: Transparency and efficient government institutions. An efficient and effective public administration sector managing State resources with transparency, fairness, and flexibility. Subject to accountability, maximizing citizens, satisfaction, and responding to their needs.

Fifth pillar: Social justice. By 2030, Egypt is a fair interdependent society characterized by equal economic, social, political rights and opportunities realizing social inclusion. A society that supports citizens, right in participation based on efficiency and according to law, encouraging social mobility based on skills. A society that provides protection, and support to marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Sixth pillar: Health. All Egyptians enjoy a healthy, safe, and secure life through an integrated, accessible, high quality, and universal healthcare system capable of improving health conditions through early intervention, and preventive coverage. Ensuring protection for the vulnerable, and achieving the satisfaction of citizens and health sector employees. This will lead to prosperity, welfare, happiness, as well as social and economic development, which will qualify Egypt to become a leader in the field of healthcare services and research in the Arab world and Africa.

Seventh pillar: Education and training. A high-quality education and training system available to all, without discrimination within an efficient, just, sustainable and flexible institutional framework. Providing the necessary skills to students and trainees to think creatively, and empower them technically and technologically.

Eighth pillar: Culture. A system of positive cultural values respecting diversity and differences. Enabling citizens to access knowledge, building their capacity to interact with modern developments, while recognizing their history and cultural heritage. Giving them the wisdom of freedom of choice and of cultural creativity. Adding value to the national economy, representing Egypt’s soft power at regional and international levels.

Ninth pillar: Environment. The environment is integrated into all economic sectors to preserve natural resources and support their efficient use and investment while ensuring the next generations’ rights. A clean, safe and healthy environment leads to diversified production resources and economic activities, supporting competitiveness, providing new jobs, eliminating poverty, and achieving social justice.

Tenth pillar: Urban development. Balanced spatial development management of land and resources to accommodate population and improve the quality of their lives.

A Thorough Approach to Develop a Country's Vision

It is impressive the thoroughness of the approach used to develop Egypt's Vision 2030, which is a great blueprint we should be proposing to other senior leaders to develop their own country's vision.

This is the methodology. For each pillar, a number of workshops were organized for all concerned development partners to identify: 

1. Main objective: By 2030, (pillar) is characterized by ….. and able to ……
2. Sub-objectives: The main objective was divided into specific sub-objectives.
3. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): For each sub-objective, KPIs were identified at the level of inputs, outcomes, and strategic results.
4. Quantitative targets: For each KPI, the current level and specific targets in 2020 and 2030 were identified in light of recent conditions, lessons learned from similar experiences, and best practices. All KPIs were reviewed to avoid any conflict.
5. Challenges that prevent the achieving of the quantitative targets: Challenges that would hinder the achievement of the strategic objectives were identified and classified according to their impact and the availability of solutions.
6. New suggested indicators: In addition to the available KPIs, newly suggested indicators were defined. Methodology for measuring these new indicators as well as estimating their current and future quantitative targets will be defined by all relevant partners.
7. Policies, Programs, and Projects: A sample of suggested policies, programs, and projects to deal with different challenges were defined. They include effective programs currently implemented, successfully, and with expected positive impact. Recommended legal, institutional, and regulatory reforms, human resource development initiatives, programs, and projects to deal with specific issues were identified. For each program and project, a timetable and an approximate cost level were determined. All programs and projects were carefully reviewed to ensure consistency and avoid overlap and contradiction.

And clear governance and implementation monitoring processes

Amazing, right?

Of course, the key will be in the implementation. There is no guarantee that all the objectives will be achieved, but laying down such a vision is already a great step and requires courage from the most senior officials.  

Do you think every country have a country's vision?

Have you seen this happening in your own country?

How can we encourage leaders around the world to apply these powerful concepts to create a better world?

Truly hope that we see an end to the war as soon as possible.

Hasta la vista!

Antonio