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 Yet despite its significance, the sector continues to grapple with structural issues: fragmented value chains, outdated practices, limited market access, and above all, constrained access to formal financing.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…
Author: Rana Salem
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…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the marketing landscape, enabling businesses to work smarter, faster, and more efficiently. From automating repetitive tasks and analyzing vast amounts of consumer data to personalizing content and predicting campaign outcomes, AI is reshaping how marketers connect with audiences. As companies seek more agile, data-driven strategies, AI tools are becoming essential in crafting targeted messages, optimizing performance, and driving growth. Yet, while AI enhances efficiency and insight, it also raises important questions around creativity, ethics, and the future of human roles in marketing. In an exclusive interview with Business Monthly during the Rethinking Marketing Conference…
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, and content creation is no exception. From AI-assisted video editing to automated copywriting and design, creators now have access to powerful tools that enhance efficiency and scale. But amid this technological leap, a pressing question arises: How can creators balance innovation with the authenticity that makes their work stand out? This was the central theme of the second session at the Rethinking Marketing Conference, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt on June 3. The session brought together creative entrepreneurs, agency leaders, and marketers to discuss AI’s impact…
Egypt is rewriting the playbook for entrepreneurship. Long hampered by financing hurdles and information gaps, startups and small businesses have often struggled to gain traction in a risk-averse market. But the tide is turning. At the U.S.-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum, held May 25–26 in Cairo under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, policymakers, private sector leaders, and global financial institutions gathered to signal a pivotal shift: Egypt is no longer playing gatekeeper. It’s stepping into the role of enabler. The Forum—organized by AmCham Egypt and the Egypt-U.S. Business Council in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—opened with a…
Egypt is ushering in a new era of economic reform—this time with healthcare at its core. Faced with a projected $12 billion (EGP 600 billion) funding gap over the next five years, the government is repositioning health expenditure as a high-growth investment opportunity rather than a budgetary strain, according to Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population. Promising returns of up to 25%, officials are actively courting global investors to power a sweeping transformation of the country’s healthcare sector, with the private sector playing a central role in bridging the financial and service delivery divide. “We…
As macroeconomic stability begins to take root in Egypt, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is urging the country to enter a new phase: one marked by bold structural reforms to reduce the state’s economic footprint and empower private enterprise. The call comes on the heels of a successful IMF mission to Cairo from May 6 to 18, led by Ivanna Vladkova Hollar, as part of the Fifth Review under Egypt’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. Stronger fundamentals In its latest statement on May 27, the IMF noted Egypt’s continued progress in stabilizing the economy. “Growth is expected to continue strengthening,…
In Egypt’s rapidly evolving startup ecosystem, coworking spaces have emerged as more than just shared offices—they’ve become critical engines of entrepreneurial growth. Once modest hubs for freelancers and remote workers, these spaces now serve as full-fledged business ecosystems, offering startups access to essential tools, mentorship, and professional networks. This transformation mirrors trends seen in the UAE, where Dubai has set a global standard by redefining coworking into a launchpad for innovation and enterprise. From funding opportunities to flexible workspaces—even coworking lounges at Dubai International Airport—the city exemplifies how strategic infrastructure can foster business success. With its young, tech-savvy population and…
In a major move to simplify business operations and attract foreign investment, Egypt is launching its first electronic one-stop licensing platform this week to unify and digitize business registration procedures, according to Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib at the U.S.-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum, hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt on May 25. Boosting investments “This platform, for the first time, is actually a manifestation of the one-stop shop,” El Khatib said, signaling the government’s determination to cut red tape and streamline the investment process. As part of broader efforts to liberalize trade and…