Egypt’s remittance inflows surged 72.4% year-on-year to $32.6 billion between March 2024 and February 2025, according to the Central Bank of Egypt. This sharp rise from $18.9 billion the previous year highlights the growing importance of remittances as a vital source of foreign currency for Egypt. February 2025 marked the twelfth consecutive month of rising remittance inflows. That month alone saw inflows more than double to $3 billion, up from $1.3 billion in February 2024, a new record for remittances in any February on record. The upward momentum continued from earlier months. In January 2025, remittances rose 83.2% year-on-year. Over…
Author: Rana Salem
Last month, Egypt’s Parliament approved the Unified National Property ID Law, a key step toward modernizing the country’s real estate sector. The law introduces a digital system that assigns a unique identification number to each property, creating a centralized database aimed at improving transparency and regulatory oversight. This is seen as a critical step toward reducing the country’s high rate of unregistered properties and improving the efficiency of property transactions. The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), in coordination with the Ministry of Communications and other government bodies, will oversee the creation and operation of this database, which…
In an address during the closing session of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham Egypt) Investment Conference on April 29, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El Khatib outlined Egypt’s forward-looking economic reform strategy. His remarks offered a comprehensive look at the government’s evolving policy priorities amid shifting global economic conditions. Navigating a changing global landscape As global geopolitical dynamics become increasingly fragmented, Egypt is recalibrating its economic path. “The protectionism trend is taking place in Europe, across the world. Nationalism is rising, and the terminology that we’re using as economists is also changing,” El Khatib observed.…
At the second session of the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham) Investment Conference on April 29, titled “Egypt as a Regional Energy Hub: Unlocking the Potential of Renewables,” policymakers and energy experts gathered to discuss Egypt’s strategic drive to become a leading clean energy exporter in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The session highlighted Egypt’s plans to leverage its abundant solar and wind resources to meet growing domestic demand and export electricity to neighboring countries and Europe. “We are working to export energy to neighboring and European countries, mainly from renewable sources,” said Sabah Meshali,…
At the American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt (AmCham Egypt) Investment Conference on April 29, a session titled “Advancing Healthcare: Policy Reforms and Investment Strategies” brought together industry leaders and policymakers to examine Egypt’s evolving healthcare landscape. The discussion focused on the sector’s transformation, driven by demographic changes, policy reforms, and increasing investor interest. Bottlenecks in the system Magdi Bakr, Senior Chairman Advisor for Technical Affairs at the Egypt Healthcare Authority, opened the session by highlighting the dual role of health as both a public service and an economic catalyst. “Health is an investment and is actually a driver for…
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has lowered its global real gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast to 2.8% for 2025 and 3% for 2026 in its April World Economic Outlook (WEO), a sharp downgrade from the January projections of 3.3% for both years. The move reflects growing global volatility, escalating trade tensions, and a sharp pivot in international economic policy frameworks. The report attributes the downward revision to newly devised tariff rates and what it calls a “highly unpredictable” policy environment that is reshaping trade flows and investor sentiment worldwide. Global economy at a critical juncture “Intensifying downside risks dominate…
As global trade undergoes a dramatic transformation, Egypt finds itself at a pivotal moment—facing both fresh challenges and unexpected opportunities. With the U.S. imposing steep tariffs on Chinese goods, questions are emerging about whether countries like Egypt can step in to fill the gap. In this candid and timely conversation, we speak with Ayman Ismail, Associate Professor and Abdul Latif Jameel Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship at AUC, and Founding Director of the AUC Venture Lab. He shares his perspective on how Egypt can position itself in this shifting landscape, the hurdles that need to be addressed, and the sectors where…
Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced a fuel price increase on April 11, with rates rising between 11.8% and 14.8% across various categories. Diesel and kerosene saw the sharpest hikes, jumping from $0.26 (EGP 13.5) to EGP 15.5 per liter, marking the highest increase among all fuel types. Other fuel products also experienced price adjustments, with 80-Octane petrol rising from EGP 14.50 to EGP 15.75, while 92-Octane petrol increased from EGP 15.25 to EGP 17.25. The smallest price jump was seen in 95-Octane petrol, which moved from EGP 17 to EGP 19 per liter. Mazut, a critical fuel…
As Egypt’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) convenes today, the financial community is closely monitoring the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). After a prolonged period of monetary tightening, recent signs of easing inflation have fueled speculation regarding a potential shift in policy. Market analysts anticipate that the CBE may consider an interest rate reduction, which could mark a pivotal moment in Egypt’s economic trajectory. At its last meeting on February 20, the CBE opted to keep rates unchanged, maintaining the overnight deposit rate at 27.25%, the overnight lending rate at 28.25%, and the main operation rate at 27.75%. This decision was…
The Trump administration introduced on April 2 a broad tariff policy, establishing a 10% baseline on imports from U.S. trade partners. Egypt was among the countries facing the lowest rate, with a 10% tariff applied to most product categories. Soon after the announcement, President Trump suspended tariffs for most countries for 90 days—excluding China. Chinese imports were instead hit with tariffs of up to 145%. This marks a major shift in U.S.-China trade relations; in 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries totaled $582.4 billion, according to the Executive Office of the President. However, the move opens the door for…