Essam SHARAF received his Bachelor's Degree of Science in Civil Engineering from Cairo University in 1975. Then, he went to Purdue University in 1980 and received his Doctorate there in 1984.

SHARAF is a Member of the Policy Committee of the National Democratic Party. He served as Minister of Transportation of Egypt from 2004 to 2005, then taught at Cairo University, and established the Egypt Scientific Society together with other Egyptian scientists. SHARAF was appointed as Prime Minister in March, 2011. In 2015, he established the Sharaf Foundation for Sustainable Development as a non­governmental organization to promote the sustainable development of Egypt, and develop cooperation and exchanges with Chinese NGOs. At G20 Summit and Civil Society 20 Meeting, SHARAF carried out in-depth cooperation and exchanges with Chinese NGOs such as RDI and China International Network, engaged in promoting cultural and economic cooperation between China and Egypt. He became a Member of the B&R Overseas Advisory Committee of NDRC in 2019.