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…
Author: Rana Salem
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…
Artificial intelligence (AI) and adaptive learning tools are set to play a defining role in the future of education, according to experts from Khan Academy who spoke at a recent American Chamber of Commerce Egypt (AmCham) session. The event, hosted by AmCham’s Education Committee, explored how emerging technologies are reshaping teaching, learning, and policy in schools worldwide. Held in Cairo under the title “Bridging the Gap Between Content Authenticity and Technological Innovation in Education,” the session brought together educators, school administrators, and policymakers to discuss the evolving role of AI in classrooms. Two leading voices from the Khan Academy network—Emily…
With an ideology centered on “America First,” Republican U.S. President Donald Trump has been challenging some of America’s major trade allies, including Canada, Mexico, the EU, and others. “It’s going to be very costly for people to take advantage of this country,” Trump said repeatedly. “They can’t come in and steal our money, steal our jobs, take our factories and businesses, and expect not to be punished.” The backlash among global consumers and businesses has been significant. Within 72 hours after issuing universal tariffs on April 2, #BoycottUSA and #BoycottUSAProducts surfaced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Meanwhile, CNN…
Foreign direct investment (FDI) from Arab countries into Egypt surged to $41.5 billion during the fiscal year 2023/24 — a 470% increase over the previous year, according to figures released Saturday by Egypt’s Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS). UAE leads The dramatic spike was driven primarily by the UAE’s $35 billion agreement to develop the Ras El Hekma coastal area, signed in February 2024. The deal, regarded as one of the largest foreign investments in Egypt’s history, has significantly bolstered the country’s foreign currency reserves and offered crucial support amid ongoing economic reforms. The UAE contributed $38.9…
Nawy, a leading Egyptian proptech company, has raised $52 million in Series A equity funding to accelerate its operations and enhance its technological capabilities. The round was led by Partech, with additional participation from e& Capital, March Capital Investments, Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, VentureSouq, Endeavor Catalyst, Development Partners International via the Nclude Fund, Shorooq Partners, Outliers, HOF Capital, and Plug and Play. Support for mortgage growth, AI integration In addition to the equity funding, Nawy secured $23 million in debt financing from prominent Egyptian banks to bolster its rapidly growing mortgage offerings. According to Mostafa El-Beltagy, Nawy’s Co-Founder and CEO, “This…
At RiseUp Summit 2025, Egypt unveiled a significant policy change aimed at boosting its startup ecosystem. Hossam Heiba, CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), announced that, for the first time, service-oriented startups with an export focus will be permitted to set up headquarters within the country’s free zones. New policy Heiba stated that 9,000 square meters have been designated for administrative and operational headquarters for export-oriented startups. The authority is prioritizing investment from firms specializing in software exports and artificial intelligence, while also encouraging the presence of key support services such as consulting, marketing, and…