At RiseUp Summit 2025, Egypt unveiled a significant policy change aimed at boosting its startup ecosystem. Hossam Heiba, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), announced that, for the first time, service-oriented startups with an export focus will be permitted to set up headquarters within the country’s free zones.
New policy
Heiba stated that 9,000 square meters have been designated for administrative and operational headquarters for export-oriented startups.
The authority is prioritizing investment from firms specializing in software exports and artificial intelligence, while also encouraging the presence of key support services such as consulting, marketing, and legal firms to help these startups scale internationally.
In an exclusive interview with Business Monthly, Abdelhameed Sharara, Founder and CEO of RiseUp, reflected on the summit’s long-term impact. “We’ve always been more than an event — we’re a bridge between policy, capital, and the startup ground floor… The idea of free zones tailored for export-driven startups is something we’ve been pushing through closed-door policy roundtables, reports, and by amplifying founders’ voices at our platforms.”
Sharara added, “It’s not about taking credit — it’s about fostering trust so when bold ideas like this arise, everyone is aligned.”
To accelerate startup formation, Heiba highlighted a new fast-track system that allows entrepreneurs to establish a sole proprietorship online in just two hours. Additionally, founders are granted VIP treatment at investor service centers without incurring additional fees. The initiative aims to reduce bureaucratic friction and support quicker market entry.
Heiba noted that GAFI is working closely with the European Union, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco to facilitate market expansion for Egyptian companies. These efforts are intended to eliminate barriers such as double taxation and protectionist regulations, while offering administrative and promotional support to startups, especially during the early stages of entry into these foreign markets. These partnerships also aim to attract new investment into Egypt from these regions.
The announcement, made during the summit’s opening session of RiseUp Summit 2025, is part of Egypt’s broader effort to position itself as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
According to Entlaq’s Egyptian Entrepreneurship Sector Diagnostics Report H1 2024, Egypt’s startup ecosystem comprises over 2,000 startups with a total value exceeding $8 billion. This rapid growth has improved Egypt’s standing in global rankings of emerging economies. In the first half of 2024 alone, the startup sector attracted $88.69 million across 39 deals, reflecting strong investor confidence and a steadily maturing entrepreneurial landscape.
What to watch for
In a bid to boost financial innovation, Heiba announced that new legislation will be introduced this year to establish and regulate financial and business zones. The law aims to position Egypt as a regional hub for investment funds—particularly venture capital—facilitating smoother capital flows into the country’s startups from both domestic and international sources.
Tracking outcomes
Sharara emphasized that RiseUp now measures success through outcomes. “We’re not just measuring footfall — we’re measuring follow-through… We hosted over 200 investors and 350 startups this year… This year we’ve already seen six-figure investment rounds and multi-market retail deals directly result from the summit.”
Looking ahead, Sharara said, “In five years, RiseUp will evolve beyond just a summit… Our mission isn’t just to amplify entrepreneurship — it’s to build a thriving startup ecosystem.”
Since 2013, RiseUp has been a hub for visionary innovators. In 2025, it brought together investors, startups, entrepreneurs, and change-makers to reflect on the past, share stories, and inspire future growth in the ecosystem.
