Dr. Heba Medhat Zaki, Director of the Egypt Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the National Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development, participated in the She Can Summit on behalf of Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development. The summit is organized annually by Entreprenelle in celebration of International Women’s Day.

In her speech, Dr. Heba Zaki emphasized that women's economic empowerment requires a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach. She highlighted that Egypt has adopted a strategy focused on four key pillars: access to resources, education and skills development, reproductive health, and an enabling political environment.

Regarding national efforts to enhance women's economic empowerment, Dr. Heba Zaki pointed to the Takaful and Karama program, a cornerstone of Egypt’s integrated approach to social protection policies, and the "Haya Karima" (Decent Life) initiative, which aims to improve the living conditions of rural communities. She noted that Haya Karima, launched in 2019, covers 4,500 villages and places women's economic empowerment at the forefront. The initiative addresses multidimensional poverty and unemployment rates by improving economic, social, and environmental standards. It has successfully reached over 3.1 million families across 27 governorates, benefiting 12 million people, with women comprising approximately 75% of beneficiaries. Additionally, the program links bank accounts to social protection initiatives, ensuring that women have access to financial services and can effectively manage their finances.

Dr. Heba Zaki also underscored the role of the Ministry of Planning and the National Institute for Governance in advancing women’s economic empowerment through various programs, including the "She for a Digital Future" initiative, which aims to bridge the digital literacy gap among women and equip them with essential digital skills.

In conclusion, she highlighted the key role played by the Egypt Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in supporting young entrepreneurs, helping them transform their innovative ideas into successful startups that contribute to national development. She emphasized that the center places a strong focus on women entrepreneurs, with women accounting for 58% of participants in its various programs and activities.