“The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.” This famous observation, widely attributed to Warren Buffett, feels particularly relevant in Egypt today. With Egyptian investors facing a rapidly expanding array of options, choosing where to allocate capital has become increasingly complex. That complexity comes at a time when preserving purchasing power is paramount, as Egypt’s annual urban inflation rate accelerated to 14.9% in July 2026. Perhaps the most transformative shift in Egypt’s financial ecosystem is that the stock market is no longer just a place to buy individual company shares. Today, the exchange…
Author: Rana Salem
Qatari Diar has started construction of the first phase of its Alam El Roum development on Egypt’s North Coast, with the project expected to attract $29.7 billion in total investments, including $3.5 billion in direct cash investments, according to a Cabinet statement. The project is being developed in partnership with the Egyptian government and is located on Egypt’s North Coast in Matrouh Governorate. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly attended the launch during a visit to the governorate. The first phase will cover approximately 4 million square meters and involve investments estimated at EGP 220 billion ($4.4 billion). It will include a…
The Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) economy is set for a sharper contraction in 2026, with real gross domestic product (GDP) expected to shrink 3%, according to BMI, a Fitch Solutions company. The forecast marks a significant deterioration from BMI’s previous projection of a 0.9% contraction and its pre-conflict forecast of 4% growth. BMI expects Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar to record the steepest contractions in 2026, with GDP projected to shrink by 19.4%, 20.5%, 16.1%, and 12.4%, respectively. Saudi Arabia is also expected to contract by 1.3%, while the UAE is forecast to post modest growth of 0.3%,…
Egypt’s annual urban inflation rate rose to 14.9% in July 2026, marking the first increase this year after months of gradual moderation, according to data released by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). The figure was up from 14.6% in June, which had been the lowest annual inflation reading recorded in 2026. Despite the increase, monthly inflation remained unchanged at 0.0%, pointing to relatively stable price conditions during the month. The urban Consumer Price Index (CPI) reached 290.5 points in July, compared with 290.4 points in June. While the annual rate edged higher, the flat monthly reading…
Following Africa Health ExCon 2026, Business Monthly sat down with Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), to discuss recent developments in Egypt’s pharmaceutical sector. The conversation covers regulatory standards, manufacturing and exports, localization efforts, digital transformation, and the EDA’s priorities through 2030. The Q&A has been edited for length and clarity. Business Monthly: Egypt has set an ambitious goal of becoming a regional pharmaceutical manufacturing and export hub. What are the key priorities driving this strategy, and what role does the Egyptian Drug Authority play in achieving it? Dr. Ali El-Ghamrawy: Egypt’s pharmaceutical sector has entered…
From governance reform and digital transformation to fan monetization and sports tourism, industry leaders say Egypt has the foundations to build a regional sports economy, but structural barriers continue to hold the sector back. For decades, sport in Egypt has been measured largely in trophies, derby victories, and television audiences. Globally, however, the industry has evolved into a major economic sector worth approximately $600 billion according to PwC Sports Survey 2023, generating revenue from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, merchandising, digital platforms, licensing, tourism, and intellectual property. That raises an important economic question for Egypt: can one of the country’s strongest cultural…
Egypt’s investment story is increasingly being shaped by more than headline-grabbing megaprojects. As governments compete for global capital amid economic uncertainty, the country’s strategy has focused on pairing large-scale investments with regulatory reform, digital transformation, and private-sector participation. That approach helped Egypt attract $15.45 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025, accounting for 22.1% of all FDI entering Africa and making it the continent’s largest recipient, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) World Investment Report 2026. The performance came amid an uneven global investment environment. While global FDI rose 6% to $1.62 trillion, Africa’s…
Egypt’s startup ecosystem is entering a new phase. Rather than relying solely on venture capital to fuel growth, startups are increasingly becoming strategic partners for corporations seeking faster ways to innovate, expand into new markets, and strengthen their competitive edge. Government reforms are accelerating that shift by creating a more structured framework for collaboration between entrepreneurs, investors, and established businesses. The introduction of the Egypt Startup Charter in February 2026, followed by the launch of the Startup Egypt platform four months later, reflects a broader effort to formalize the country’s innovation ecosystem. Together, the initiatives establish a unified definition of…
Egypt’s non-banking financial sector is entering a new phase of regulatory reform as the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) seeks to accelerate digital transformation, deepen capital markets, and reduce administrative barriers for financial institutions. Speaking during an American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham Egypt) breakfast briefing on June 30, FRA Executive Chairman Islam Azzam outlined the regulator’s priorities, ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) and fintech to insurance reform, capital markets, and financial education. The event, organized by AmCham Egypt’s Non-Banking Financial Institutions Committee, brought together industry leaders and private-sector stakeholders to discuss the future of Egypt’s financial regulatory landscape. Faster…
When valU debuted on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) in June 2025, it marked more than the listing of a consumer finance company. Its unconventional route to the public market challenged assumptions about how technology companies can access capital in Egypt and highlighted the evolving relationship between startups, regulators, and public markets. Those themes were explored during a fireside chat hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Committee, in collaboration with the MIT Kuo Sharper Center for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship (MIT KSC), titled The Road to IPO: Navigating Policy, Regulation, and Market Readiness. The discussion featured…