Why we love the BANATI Foundation

In the heart of Egypt, where urban challenges often leave the most vulnerable behind, the
BANATI Foundation stands as a beacon of hope for girls facing unimaginable hardships.

Known formally as Abnaa Alghad Foundation, BANATI (meaning “My Girls” in Arabic) has
dedicated itself to protecting and rehabilitating children at risk, particularly young girls living
on the streets or deprived of parental care.

Since its creation, the foundation has transformed countless lives through compassionate
intervention, education, and empowerment.

From the start, BANATI’s mission was clear: to serve as a centre of excellence in
rehabilitation and research, providing young girls with psychological, social, and educational
support to overcome trauma and reintegrate into society.

Social Issues in Egypt and Efforts to Address Them

Egypt, like many developing nations, faces social challenges such as poverty, which
multidimensionally affects about 21% of the population as of 2022, influencing key areas like
health, education, and housing. Rapid urbanization has contributed to family stresses in
cities like Cairo, where economic pressures can strain households.

Societal factors also play a role in issues like violence against children, with the 2021 Egypt
Family Health Survey indicating that 83% of children aged 1-14 experienced violent
disciplinary methods, though severe physical punishment has decreased from 43% in 2014
to 28% in 2021. Estimates suggest between 200,000 and 1 million children are at risk or
living on the streets, often due to poverty, family breakdown, or lack of support systems.

Women and girls encounter specific hurdles, including gender-based violence, with around
31% of ever-married women aged 15-49 reporting spousal violence. There is a clear need to
bolster support for women through empowerment initiatives that enhance economic
opportunities, education, and protection from harm.

On a positive note, Egypt is making concerted efforts to tackle these issues. The government
has expanded programs like Takaful and Karama, reaching 5.2 million families by mid-2024
with cash transfers to support poor households, particularly those with children, effectively
reducing poverty among beneficiaries. Initiatives such as the Homeless Children Initiative
aim to integrate 60% of street children into family and social care institutions while
improving infrastructure.

Partnerships with international organizations like UNICEF and USAID are advancing women’s
economic and social empowerment, with projections showing that focused investments
could lift 3.8 million people out of poverty by 2030. Legal reforms, including stricter
penalties for female genital mutilation and enhanced child protection laws, along with
bodies like the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, underscore a commitment to
inclusive progress.

Organisations like the BANATI Foundation serve as catalysts in this ecosystem,
complementing governmental and international efforts to promote reintegration, education,
and long-term empowerment for vulnerable groups, especially women and children.

The Economic Benefits of Empowering Women

Empowering women isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s a smart economic strategy that
unlocks tremendous growth and prosperity for entire societies. When women are given
equal opportunities to work, learn, and lead, economies flourish with increased
diversification, productivity, and innovation.

Studies show that greater gender equality can boost global GDP by up to $28 trillion by
2025, creating a ripple effect of shared wealth and stability over generations.

Women tend to reinvest up to 90% of their earnings back into their families and
communities, fueling improvements in education, health, and nutrition that build stronger
future workforces.

This virtuous cycle leads to healthier children, reduced poverty rates, and more resilient
households, with long-term gains like higher agricultural output and thriving small
businesses.

In places where women entrepreneurs thrive, job creation soars, and communities see
sustained economic uplift, proving that investing in women today paves the way for massive,
compounding improvements tomorrow.

JDP Global’s Move to Egypt and How It Is Thriving Within the
Community

JDP Global, a leading British-run global investment firm with roots in shipping and trade,
made a strategic expansion to Cairo, Egypt, in late 2024. This move marked a significant step
in the company’s growth, leveraging Egypt’s dynamic economy, strategic location, and
burgeoning opportunities in sectors like e-commerce, media, and real estate.

JDP Global opened our offices in Egypt in 2024 after we identified that a step into their
upcoming and thriving economic markets, specifically their technology, artificial intelligence
and medical/healthcare sectors presented us with the opportunity to grow with their vast
potential.

As a venture capital firm, we recognized that the opportunities emerging from Egypt, combined with those we could extend to others, made our expansion into the market a strategic and well-timed decision.

A nationally driven AI strategy pushing from 2025 until 2030, digital transformation and
infrastructure upgrades forge just a couple of the driving factors towards our desire to
position ourselves in Cairo, Egypt.

We have a desire to become an important British ally within the region, helping to
spearhead growth and advancement across the country and we don’t solely mean in the
world of investment, we mean on a wider scale.

Our team at the BANATI Foundation Christmas Party 2025

We were honoured to join the BANATI Foundation for their 2025 Christmas Party this year,
showing not only our support but allowing us to experience some of the joy and hope that
the foundation brings to the children they help.

You can find out more about BANATI Foundation and their work at their website www.banatifoundation.org or by visiting their Facebook page here.