Overall, most projects have objectives that are highly relevant to the IFAD and Government of Egypt strategies (at the time of design) as well as to the rural poor. The relevance of the portfolio is therefore judged as substantial. The extent to which the programme was relevant to the poorest is less so. The lens to focus IFAD’s future strategy and programme should be the changing profile of rural poverty. IFAD should shift its strategic focus towards the rural areas of the poor governorates in Southern Upper Egypt. IFAD should target the poorest rural communities and address the needs of landless, men and women for employment and income equitably.