The situation seems dire, but Egypt is one of the easiest Uncivilized nations to play in DoD, along with the Incas.
In DoD lore, Egypt has just revolted and broken free from the Ottomans, and is now attempting to secure the Suez.
It starts at about 20% westernization, and is also at war with he crumbling Ottoman Empire. Egypt is an Uncivilized African nation located in.