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…
Author: Rana Salem
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…
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming marketing at an unprecedented pace, changing everything from audience targeting to content creation. Yet as technology becomes more powerful, creativity and human insight may become even more valuable. That was the key message from Ihab Gohar, CEO of Animation Advertising, during the opening session of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt’s June 15 event, Egypt’s Evolving Marketing Landscape: AI, Digital Innovation, and Nation Branding. Moderated by Soha Sabry, Co-Chair of AmCham Egypt’s Marketing Committee and Marketing Consultant at The Marq, the discussion examined how AI is reshaping marketing while reinforcing the enduring importance of…
As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms how destinations identify, target, and engage travelers, Egypt is positioning itself around a different competitive advantage: authentic, experience-led tourism. Speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt’s June 15 event, Egypt’s Evolving Marketing Landscape: AI, Digital Innovation, and Nation Branding, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy outlined a strategy that combines AI-powered marketing with a broader effort to reposition Egypt’s tourism brand. Rather than relying solely on its traditional image of pyramids and beaches, the ministry is building its strategy around what it calls “unmatched diversity”—a positioning designed to showcase the country’s broad…
After more than two years of economic pressures and extensive reforms, Egypt appears to be entering a new stage marked by improving macroeconomic indicators and growing investor confidence. Inflation has moderated, economic growth has accelerated, and foreign exchange shortages that once constrained activity have largely eased. Whether these gains represent a durable shift from stabilization to sustainable growth remains a key question. To assess the outlook, Business Monthly spoke with Mohamed Abu Basha, Director and Head of Macroeconomic Analysis at EFG Hermes, and Hany Genena, Head of Research at Al Ahly Pharos. Signs of a broader economic recovery Recent indicators…
Egypt’s capital market is preparing for the next phase of its derivatives journey, with the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) set to launch single-stock futures contracts on June 18, expanding the range of risk-management tools available to investors and advancing the market’s broader modernization agenda. The rollout follows the March 1 introduction of EGX30 index futures, which marked the exchange’s first foray into derivatives trading. The upcoming expansion shifts the focus from broad market exposure to individual companies, allowing investors to hedge positions in specific stocks without liquidating their underlying holdings. “The problem with our market was that there was no way…