Precision pitching for a slice of America’s USD 7 tn outward FDI market

The Madbouly government is adopting a stakeholder-mapping approach to capture more of the USD 7 tn US FDI market. “It is no longer possible to approach all investors with the same message and the same set of [offerings],” Yahya Al Wathik Bellah, minister plenipotentiary and director of the Economic and Commercial Office at Egypt’s embassy in Washington, DC, said on the sidelines of the AmCham Egypt Doorknock Mission.

A more flexible, solutions-oriented approach tailored to align with both the priorities of each market and Egypt’s own development agenda is key. Investment Minister Mohamed Farid’s strategy is built on a deeper understanding of market needs and the development of structured investment offerings to meet investor expectations in terms of returns, ease of doing business, and regulatory clarity — enhancing Egypt’s competitiveness in attracting global capital flows.

Trade flows highlight both openings and challenges: The Investment Ministry is tasking commercial offices abroad with identifying sector-specific avenues, while exporters are being supported with detailed market intelligence, Al Wathik Bellah noted.

Destination? USA

The approach seeks to strengthen Egypt’s position within investment flows from the US. “It is not a relationship Egypt can afford to sideline,” Al Wathik Bellah said. “I saw firsthand how ministers moved quickly and split themselves across meetings during their intensive visit in Washington on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund,” he added.

Egypt ranks as the 47th largest US trade partner, with bilateral trade growing by 39% last year. US exports to Egypt reached USD 9.5 bn in 2025, compared to USD 2.9 bn in Egyptian exports to the US — a disparity that reflects structural constraints. Meanwhile, the US is among our top trade partners — it was our third largest non-oil trade partner last year, according to AmCham data.

US investments in Egypt are estimated at around USD 25 bn, with the bulk concentrated in the oil sector. What are the key sectors of US interest? Agriculture and agribusiness, financial services, ports and logistics, ICT, renewable energy, and pharma.

But penalties and stricter requirements make Egyptian exporters tend to favor nearby markets in the Arab world, Africa, and Europe. “Penalties can reach up to USD 5k per day for delays in deliveries to major companies like Walmart … [some] US firms request orders that exceed the production capacity of Egyptian exporters,” Al Wathik Bellah said.

Diversification unlocked

Egypt sees significant diversification potential, especially in financial services and investment funds. The government is also working to expand the scope for capital flows from the US through specialized funds, Al Wathik Bellah noted.

The ministerial group held meetings with several investment funds, with some expressing interest in Egyptian startups. Farid also presented investment avenues linked to sub-funds affiliated with the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, he added.

Egypt’s ICT and outsourcing sectors also continue to attract US interest. A large pool of skilled engineers and programmers, competitive labor costs, and a young workforce with strong language capabilities make it an attractive investment target. Food industries are also drawing attention, driven by the growth of the domestic market. “Foreign investors are eyeing roughly 2 mn new consumers entering the market each year,” Al Wathik Bellah said.

The mining sector is picking up momentum with US investors, particularly in rare earth minerals, Al Wathik Bellah said. The government is preparing an integrated incentives framework alongside plans to roll out a comprehensive national mining map in the coming months detailing reserve levels and extraction costs.

A dedicated zone?

US investors have previously welcomed the proposal of a dedicated American investment zone in Egypt, contingent on the availability of suitable incentives and exemptions. The idea was floated during the first US-Egypt Business Forum last year, which is expected to have a second edition later this year.