As Egypt navigates a period of economic recalibration, questions loom large over its reform trajectory, investment climate, and capacity to harness its demographic dividend. Inflationary shocks, external vulnerabilities, and uneven growth have tested the country’s resilience, but they have also underscored the urgency of deep structural transformation. In this exclusive conversation with Business Monthly, Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin—UN Special Envoy on Financing Sustainable Development, former Minister of Investment, and a seasoned economist—offers a candid assessment of Egypt’s economic landscape. Drawing on his policy experience and international development work, Dr. Mohieldin outlines a reform blueprint rooted in macroeconomic discipline, export-led private-sector growth,…
Author: Rana Salem
In a pivotal moment for Egypt’s role in global economic discussions, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, representing President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, addressed the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, calling for significant reforms in the global financial system. The summit, held at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, witnessed Egypt positioning itself as a vocal advocate for more equitable development and deeper cooperation among emerging economies. In his speech, Madbouly stated, “The convening of this BRICS Summit comes at a critical time, as we face multiple and interconnected crises and challenges, including geopolitical tensions, threats to peace…
Development Partners International (DPI) has invested $190 million in Alameda Healthcare, one of Egypt’s largest private hospital operators, in what is being called the largest private healthcare transaction in the country’s history. The fresh capital will fuel Alameda’s expansion across Egypt and into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, with specific plans for market entries in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other GCC countries. Despite the size of the transaction, control of the company remains with Alameda’s Chairman, Fahad Khater. DPI and its partners will take a minority stake, working alongside the existing management team to support growth strategies. This…
As part of its growing commitment to electric mobility, Egypt is preparing to officially launch its first fully electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system following its trial launch in June—an ambitious project that marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to public transportation. Developed by the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the General Authority for Roads and Bridges, the 110-kilometer BRT corridor will run along Greater Cairo’s Ring Road. Featuring 48 stations and dedicated lanes, the system is designed to provide fast, reliable, and lower-emissions service. The first 35-kilometer phase—comprising 14 stations—is currently in trial operations. Talks are…
Egypt’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth surged to 4.77% in the third quarter of the 2024/2025 fiscal year, marking the highest quarterly expansion in three years, according to the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development. The growth was fueled primarily by strong rebounds in non-oil manufacturing, tourism, and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors central to the country’s evolving economic strategy. This momentum emerged amid persistent global uncertainty, reflecting the impact of Egypt’s structural reform program, which aims to enhance macroeconomic resilience, elevate private sector engagement, and boost export competitiveness. Exports and private investment lead recovery Egypt’s net exports…
Egypt is setting its sights on a bold trade target of $145 billion by 2030, according to the African Trade Report 2025. The strategy focuses on increasing exports, deepening trade ties within Africa, and solidifying key partnerships, particularly with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the country’s ambition to play a pivotal role in African and global commerce. Strengthening regional trade leadership Egypt’s position in regional trade has strengthened significantly, particularly within the African continent. According to the report, Egypt ranked as the fifth-largest intra-African trading nation in North Africa. In 2024, trade with African countries rose by 8.7%, reaching…
As Egypt pushes ahead with one of the most ambitious urban development drives in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, green construction is emerging as a central priority. In this Q&A, Mohamed Amer, Managing Director at the International Code Council-MENA (ICC), discusses Egypt’s current direction, where policy reforms are needed, and what it would take to create a sustainable and scalable development model. The International Code Council is a US-based organization that develops building codes and safety standards used worldwide. With offices in Washington, D.C., Dubai, and Canberra, the group works with governments and industry players to support…
Agriculture has long been a cornerstone of Egypt’s economy, employing nearly a quarter of the workforce and playing a central role in food security, rural livelihoods, and economic stability. Yet despite its significance, the sector continues to grapple with structural issues: fragmented value chains, outdated practices, limited market access, and above all, constrained access to formal financing. In recent years, however, a new player has entered the field: agrifintech, a blend of agriculture and financial technology that is beginning to redefine how farming works in Egypt. These emerging solutions use digital tools—from AI and blockchain to mobile apps and digital…
Egypt’s economy is projected to grow by 3.5% in 2025, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report—marking a modest rebound from this year’s sharper-than-expected slowdown. In 2024, growth is forecast at just 2.4%, down from 3.8% in 2023 and significantly below the 6.6% recorded in 2022, as the country continues to grapple with high inflation, a weakening currency, and sluggish reform momentum. While the report anticipates further gradual improvement—reaching 4.2% in 2026 and 4.6% in 2027—Egypt’s projected growth remains below its pre-crisis trajectory and lags behind regional peers. Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region are both…
Egypt is advancing its fiscal sustainability agenda by leveraging a vast Red Sea parcel in Ras Shukeir to back its second sovereign sukuk offering, the Ministry of Finance announced on June 12. Spanning 174 million square meters, the strategic coastal land—one of the largest state-owned plots—will serve as the underlying asset in a lease-based (ijara) sukuk structure, according to Business Monthly’s interpretation of the announcement. Unlike traditional debt instruments, ijara sukuk comply with Islamic finance principles by generating investor returns through rental payments rather than interest. The model aligns with ethical investment standards and allows Egypt to attract lower-cost financing…