The international community increasingly recognizes the importance of coalitions such as the G20, which includes the world’s biggest 19 economies and the EU. Such alliances offer valuable support and assist in economic, trade, energy, and climate discussions. In September, the Financial Times noted that advanced and emerging economies can no longer live in isolated pockets: “The health of our planet and our economy depends on our cooperation.” In September, the African Union (AU) joined the G20 and earned a permanent seat as the second regional bloc in the group. Given Africa’s untapped economic potential and fast-growing population, such a step…
Author: Fatema Fouad
As governments accelerate the digital transformation of their economies, they must ensure that citizens and businesses are comfortable making payments online. “The MENA region has actively embraced digital payments, enabled by a supportive government focus and a strategic push toward digital, or cashless, economies,” according to Fast Company Middle East, a business media platform. To give citizens more access to financial services, Egypt has pushed for more use of financial technology (fintech) such as electronic payment systems, mobile payment apps, mobile wallets, and contactless payments. But it is more than just the end consumer that should be using digital payment…
Developing sustainable, eco-friendly methods to process raw materials abundantly available in Egypt, but little used locally, might be an economic boon. The processed raw material could be exported to new markets, something the Egyptian government has been working on since the war in Ukraine amid ongoing supply chain bottlenecks. In the long term, local industries might find new uses for those raw materials. A case in point is the sustainable production of spirulina, freshwater microalgae high in antioxidants used as a nutritional supplement. Local companies hardly use it, and those that do import it. Imtenan Group, a food and health…
