Escape the concrete and trade the city for green escapes

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THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Egypt ends phone import exemptions

Good morning, folks. Welcome to the weekend. It’s been a busy week — the phone import exemption is officially over, derivatives trading got the green light, and Trump walked back tariff threats after rattling global markets. You can catch up on all the headlines below. And if you’re craving a break from them, read down even farther.

Feeling the pull of the great outdoors? This week’s guide to rural escapes in and around Cairo has everything from farm day-visits to wellness retreats just a short drive from Cairo — no passport required.

?️ LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS-

TAX-

#1- Your chance to bring in a phone from abroad without being charged customs fees is now gone, after the Madbouly government ended the exemption that granted Egyptians the right to bring in one handset without customs or taxes every three years. This comes almost a year after the policy on personal mobile-phone imports was first introduced.

#2- The Finance Ministry is reviewing the VAT Law with a view to scrap exemptions on some goods and services, a senior government source tells EnterpriseAM. The move is designed to bolster tax revenues while allowing for income tax brackets adjustments to support low-income earners, the source added;

EGX WATCH-

Derivatives trading is almost here. The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) officially licensed the EGX to operate its futures exchange, clearing the way for trading to launch as early as March. This aligns with the exchange’s latest guidance that a functional derivatives market will go live before the end of 1Q.

REAL ESTATE-

The Madbouly government is preparing an integrated incentive package designed to attract EGP 3 tn in real estate investment between 2026 and 2030. The plan centers on a massive land bank of 115 mn square meters, valued at over EGP 500 bn, which will be offered to local and foreign developers under a revised fiscal and regulatory framework.

DIPLOMACY-

Gerd took center stage during a meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on the sidelines of Davos. As expected, the meeting touched on Trump’s proposal to mediate the Egypt-Ethiopia dispute over the dam, with Trump saying that it “has become a very dangerous issue … I’ll see if I can get that back on track.”

M&A WATCH-

#1- A Dutch court just threw a spanner in Orascom’s works — and it’s a warning to every Egyptian company that set up shop in the Netherlands. Dutch-listed fertilizer giant OCI Global will remove its proposed merger with EGX- and ADX-listed Orascom Construction from the agenda of tomorrow’s shareholder meeting after a ruling from the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal that effectively blocks the transaction.

#2- Edita now owns HTT brands across the continent. Snackmaker Edita Food Industries has acquired the exclusive rights to the HoHos, Twinkies, and Tiger Tail (HHT) brands across an additional 45 African countries under an agreement inked with US-based Hostess Brands.

ENERGY-

#1- It looks like our USD 35 bn natural gas import agreement with Israel is moving forward after all. Leviathan partner NewMed confirmed in a disclosure that as of Thursday, all conditions precedent for the agreement have been satisfied.

#2- Egypt is moving to plug the biggest gap in its renewable energy strategy: storage. Local industrial services player Kemet and China’s energy storage batteries manufacturer Cornex inked a strategic cooperation agreement to establish a USD 200 mn energy storage battery cells factory in Egypt using local raw materials.

DIPLOMACY-

US President Donald Trump said he is “ready to restart US mediation between ⁠Egypt ‍and Ethiopia to responsibly resolve the ⁠question of ‘The Nile Water Sharing’ once ‌and for all” in a letter sent to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi. The letter signals a significant shift toward a US-led diplomatic track following years of stalled African Union-mediated talks over Addis Ababa’s filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

LOGISTICS-

The Madbouly government will launch a fully automated export system via the Nafeza platform on 1 April, utilizing a Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) to slash customs clearance times from eight days to just 48 hours, two senior government sources told EnterpriseAM.

PHARMA-

Arab API’s USD 165 mn factory, now under construction in Ain Sokhna, could helpcurb Egypt’s hefty import bill for pharma raw materials, according to a statement from the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). The joint venture between local pharma players Eipico, the Arab Company for Drug Industries and Medical Appliances (Acdima), and the SCZone is expected to produce 350 tons of cephalosporin a year and fill a USD 250 mn hole in the country’s import bill.

? AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

Trump said the US has agreed on a framework for a future deal on the Danish country after meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Davos. The geopolitical tensions sparked “Sell America” rhetoric as markets flopped in the US and Gold prices reached an all-time high at USD 4.8k per ounce, with forecasts saying it could climb to USD 7k an ounce.

Trump’s new Board of Peace has also been making the headlines, talked up as a potential United Nations replacement, or rival, and established with the aim of rebuilding Gaza. Permanent seats on the board require that countries pay USD 1 bn or otherwise join on a three-year term basis, with Trump as the board’s inaugural chairman. Several European countries have already joined as well as Egypt, Turkey, the UAE, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly declined his seat, prompting Trump to threaten a 200% tariff on French wines and champagne.

ALSO- India made plans to double bilateral trade with the UAE to USD 200 bn by 2032 after signing a USD 3 bn deal on Monday for the purchase of liquified natural gas. The 10-year agreement mandates that the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company supply LNG starting 2028 to India’s government-owned Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, making India the UAE’s largest LNG customer, accounting for 20% of sales by 2029.

⛅ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND-

Temperatures in Cairo are set to peak at just 22°C today before cooling down to 14°C. It’s more of the same tomorrow, with a high of 22°C and a low of 12°C, according to our favorite weather app.

? HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND-

In celebration of the release of El Sett, Cairo Prints 6 is honoring Umm Kulthum in a special exhibition at Cinema Radio, running from Thursday, 22 January to Saturday, 24 January. Presented by Cairopolitan, the gallery will showcase works from over 80 local and international artists inspired by the enduring icon. For more details, you can visit Cairopolitan’s Instagram.

It’s the time of year to stock up on books. The Cairo International Book Fair returns to the Egypt International Exhibitions Center for its 57th year, running from Thursday, 22 January until Tuesday, 3 February. Catch the opening night on Friday, 23 January celebrating the centennial of the iconic filmmaker Youssef Chahine with a special performance by the Philharmonic Orchestra led by maestro Nader Abbassi.

Calling all art collectors: Art Cairo is back to celebrate contemporary Arab talent at the Grand Egyptian Museum from Friday, 23 January to Monday, 26 January. This year, the fine arts fair honors the late Egyptian artist Guirguis Lotfi and his lasting influence. Tickets are available on Collard Tickets.

JadaL’s Mahmoud Radaideh is taking the stage at CJC 610 for a solo performance this Saturday, 24 January. Expect heartrending lyrics and electrifying guitar work from the alt-rock pioneer — tickets are available on Cairo Jazz Club’s website.

? HAPPENING NEXT WEEKEND-

Attention Cairo runners: Registration is now open for Cairo Marathon 2026, happening on Friday, 6 February. Claim your spot through Cairo Runners’ website — tickets available until Friday, 30 January.

Popular youtuber-comedian Eyad El Mogy, aka Mogzz, is bringing his humor live to the Hilton Cairo Grand Nile with an encore of his El Sabt El Momtaz special on Saturday, 31 January. Tickets are available on Ticketsmarché.

Your guide to rural escapes in and around Cairo

? It’s the dead of winter in Cairo and mornings find you glued to your bed. You begrudgingly get up and get ready for the day, only to find visions of your pillow following you into your daydreams. It’s a hard slump to get out of, but we’re here to remind you of the blessing that is the Egyptian sun and the perfect winter weather for quick getaways from Cairo’s hustle and bustle.

It's time to leave behind the horrors of modern-day life — the shadows of tall buildings, relentless glow of computer screens, honking of cars, and less-than-fresh air — and pack a small bag, and drive out to the nearest farm stretch, and reconnect with God’s green earth.

!_Subhed_! Away from the city, in the city

#1- VeryNile’s Shoka w Megdaf: You can’t think of rural Egypt without thinking of the Nile. Tucked away behind the tall palm trees and long bushes, VeryNile — an initiative for protecting the Nile — makes the most of the river on Qursaya Island and the natural rural scenery it evokes.

If you’re not there to help clean the Nile, their offshoot and community kitchen Shokaw Megdaf offers an experience of the island that lets you escape through fishing boat tours, upcycling workshops, walking tours, and a rooftop for small parties and gatherings. Shoka w Megdaf is open for visits only on weekdays, so you’ll have to carve out a weekday escape — all the more relaxing.

WHERE TO FIND IT- VeryNile is on Qursaya Island in Giza. You can book your visit to Shoka w Megdaf through this form.

#2- Mazhar Botanic Garden: Also in the heart of Giza is a plant-lover’s escape: the lush Mazhar Botanic Garden. Though not exactly rural, the botanical haven serves just as much of a nature fix and an ideal break from the urban life hustle. The garden and its herbarium engross you in a wave of green, with educational tours that let you geek out while learning about the many plant species expertly cared for on the grounds. Even if you’re not there to learn about the flora, the visual and sensory escape alone makes it worth it.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Mazhar Botanic Garden is located in Giza. You can book a visit through their website.

!_Subhed_! On the outskirts

#1- Shagie Farms: Established in 1985, Shagie Farms is a decades-old, recognized mango and strawberry producer — reached with a road-trippy drive to Ismailia. The farm property turned agritainment spot makes for a down-and-dirty farm experience — you can milk cows, ride donkeys and horses, and even fish in a natural lake. With strawberry season in place, Shagie Farms lets you try your hand at harvest amidst beautiful green scenery and a duck-busy pond. Baking is also in the mix, with a clay oven for fresh bread and feteer meshaltet.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Shagie Farms on the Ismailia-Suez desert Rd. For details and booking, you can visit Shagie Farms’ Instagram.

#2- Rahaya Farm: Further along Cairo-Alex Road lies a farm that won’t let you slow down, hosting a range of farm adventures and activities to keep you off your phone the entire trip. After munching on a good ol’ Egyptian breakfast, duck feeding is first on the agenda, followed by a tour of Rahaya’s bird collection and the 25 species of herbs and plants grown on-site — some of which you can pick yourself to be cooked into a full-course lunch. Ice cream on a farm? You heard that right, and made with buffalo milk, and sugar-free.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Rahaya Farm is located in West Nubariyah, Beheira. The farm offers three visiting packages — you can head to their Instagram or Facebook for more information.

#3- Rif Dahshour: Rural life is exemplified at Rif Dahshour — think towering palm trees, overgrown bushes, rows of plants, roaming cows and goats, large oriental breakfast trays, traditional mastaba-style seating, and green, green, green. Down south in Manshat Dahshour, the secluded farm is the perfect calm rural getaway. If you’re not big on activities but big on getting out, Rif Dahshour might just be your kind of excursion.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Rif Dahshour is located in Manshat Dahshour, Giza. For more details, you can head to Rif Dahshour’s Instagram.

!_Subhed_! A yoga retreat, but rural

#1- Ardi Dahshour: Wellness enthusiasts, what’s better than getting into your yoga flow with a backdrop of serene rural scenery? Nature, calm, fresh air, open skies — most would argue these are the ethos behind yoga. Dahshour’s Ardi Holistic Wellness Center is just the space for that. With earthy-toned archways, lines of palm trees, and a relaxing pool at its center, the place eases you right into retreat mode. The healing space hosts alternative therapy retreats focused on mindfulness and holistic wellbeing.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Ardi Center is also located in Manshat Dahshour, Giza. You can check out their Instagram for information on upcoming retreats and bookings.

Feel like your rural reset deserves more than a day? You can check out our guide to spending a weekend in Fayoum.

A Shakespearean tragedy in Hamnet

? To be, or not to be, that is the question. Following the success of Irish author Maggie O’Farell’s 2020 novel Hamnet, Oscar-winning Chinese director Chloé Zhao has brought the hit story to the big screen. The result? An emotional masterpiece. Just as the novel achieved great acclaim, the film has garnered widespread admiration, a torrent of accolades, and eight Oscar nominations, including best picture, best actress (Jessie Buckley), best director, best adapted screenplay, and best original score, solidifying its status as one of the year’s biggest cinematic drops.

A prophecy: Agnes (Buckley) is a shy, eccentric girl with an unbreakable bond with nature. She wanders the forests, befriending crows — acts that lead some villagers to brand her a witch, or the daughter of the forest witch, to be exact. One day, Agnes meets a handsome latin tutor (Paul Mescal); they quickly fall in love, marry, and start a family comprising an elder daughter and a set of twins, a boy and a girl. Haunted by a recurring premonition of herself on her deathbed surrounded by only two children, Agnes realizes one of her three is fated to die, and seeks to protect them at all costs.

The film dissects human emotions across the board, particularly how each protagonist grapples with the idea of death. Agnes is no stranger to loss, having endured her mother’s departure at a young age. But this time, driven by maternal instinct, she tries to protect and nurture her children from any and all dangers — to no avail.

Husband and wife process grief differently. Agnes screams, weeps, and is consumed by woe. Her husband — once the victim of domestic abuse — finds solace in his work as a playwright. Zhao uses nature to embody these contradictions, with the earth, its trees and rivers, offering brilliant metaphors.

One hallmark of a great actor is the ability to convey depth without words — a feat Buckly accomplishes here. The Irish actress captivates with her gaze alone. While Buckley’s chops are well-established, we believe Hamnet sees the star shine in ways she never has before. We’d wager that she might just walk away with a statuette for it. Delivering an equally intense performance is young Jacobi Jupe, who plays her son, Hamnet. Without spoiling much, we’ll say this: Jupe’s impact on the audience was palpable, stirring a flood of emotion.

Our verdict? If you’re a fan of the classics, historical romances, and Shakespearean tragedies, this is a film you need to watch. But be warned: you might just leave the theatre feeling melancholic.

WHERE TO WATCH- The film is screening at Vox Cinemas at City Center Almaza, Mall of Egypt, and Mall of Alexandria, as well as Citystars Cinema, CFCM and D5’s Scene Cinema, Cima Arkan, and Zawya. Watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:39).

Does Heliopolis’ classic Italian eatery Cortigiano still hold up in 2026?

? Craving a taste of nostalgia? Newly-minted dining establishments are not difficult to find anywhere in Cairo. From Italian and American cuisines to Lebanese and Thai, Egypt’s food scene has never been more alive. But what of the good ol’ oldies that still welcome their patrons in 2026? This week, we paid Heliopolis’ Cortigiano — one of the country’s first Italian eateries — a visit to see how it still fares.

Like stepping into a time machine. What immediately stands out about Cortigiano — at least its Heliopolis branch — is its determination to retain its spirit. The eatery is clad in chunky wooden furniture, booths that have gently borne witness to years of conversation, aged light fixtures, and walls filled with Italian paraphernalia. There is a certain bliss in visiting a place that remains unchanged, and we experienced that fully. That sentiment carried over to the menu.

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. The menu is a combination of international staples and Italian classics: all sorts of soups, pastas, deep-fried appetizers (and baked counterparts for the health-conscious), burgers, pizzas, rissotos, and a variety of mains. Which is to say, you’ll spend quite a bit of time perusing it. You won’t find innovative, high-end concoctions, but what you’ll find will be hearty and home-cooked.

A trip to Cortigiano would be criminally incomplete without sampling their Four 4 all appetizer platter — onion rings, sweet sesame chicken bites, deep-fried mushrooms, and mini jacket potatoes. While the platter delivered on freshness and flavor, we found the portion size a tad underwhelming, enough for just two. For mains, we went for the country fried chicken and Alfredo pasta. Both quickly made up for the appetizers’ modesty, with generous portions making their way to our to-go back.

Service was a little slow, the food arrived sizzling hot. The fried chicken was the star of the night — succulent cuts with golden-crisp coats. The Alfredo was also delicious, though it could have used a touch more sauce in our humble opinion.

Our verdict? Cortigiano is still a solid choice in 2026. Could you find better Italian at the same price point? Yes — but bear with us. Long after our food was savored and our to-go bag packed, we lingered. What Cortigiano still offers after all these years — if no longer primarily top-notch Italian cuisine — is comfort and a sense of slowness. The restaurant’s patrons filled the place with laughter and conversation, and we felt inclined to do the same. That makes it a worthy dining experience.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Cortigiano at 14 Samir Mokhtar St., Ard El Golf,Heliopolis, at New Cairo’s Downtown Mall, and at Mall of Arabia.

? Per person: EGP 700-800

? Outdoor seating: No

? Alcohol: No

? Accessibility friendly: No

The games to look out for in 2026

? The gaming calendar for 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in years, with major franchises making long-awaited returns, and fresh IPs promising to push the medium forward. Here’s what has us counting down the days.

The one everyone’s waiting for: Grand Theft Auto VI remains the year’s most eagerly awaited release (for the second year in a row). After over a decade since GTA V and three years since its announcement, Rockstar’s return to Vice City has generated unprecedented hype. The game’s dual protagonists, Jason and Lucia, mark a first for the series with a playable female lead. Most games are already steering clear of the weeks around GTA VI’s launch.

PlayStation’s big bet: Marvel’s Wolverine arrives exclusively on PS5 in Fall 2026. Developed by Insomniac Games — the studio behind the beloved Spider-Man franchise — the game follows Logan across Madripoor, Canada, and Tokyo in a darker, more brutal take than fans might expect from the studio. While you wait, you can indulge in Death Stranding 2, which launched on PS5 in June of last year, with an expected PC port early this year. The PC version is expected to feature ray tracing enhancements and DLSS support.

Action game heavyweights: Phantom Blade Zero is launching in the Fall on both PS5 and PC simultaneously. The hardcore wuxia game has drawn comparisons to Black Myth: Wukong, with its stunning Chinese fantasy setting and rapid martial arts combat. Crimson Desert will finally be getting its moment in March, promising dragon-flying, mech-piloting, and Devil May Cry-style combat in a dark fantasy setting. And Resident Evil Requiem (effectively RE9) drops at the end of February, returning to Raccoon City with a new protagonist.

Super spies: 007 First Light from Hitman developer IO Interactive launches at the end of May. The game follows a 26-year-old James Bond earning his license to kill, blending IO’s signature stealth-sandbox approach with cinematic set pieces and car chases.

Xbox and PC highlights: Fable is set to release at some point in 2026 after being delayed from its 2025 window. Playground Games’ reboot promises a return to Albion with combat reportedly similar to The Witcher 3. Gears of War: E-Day remains confirmed for 2026 as of publication, though a specific timing hasn’t been announced.

Indies and expansions worth noting: Hollow Knight: Silksong released to great acclaim last September, and Team Cherry has already announced a free expansion called Sea of Sorrow set for 2026. Pragmata, Capcom’s mysterious sci-fi project, lands in April. While Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred — the expansion dedicated to Mephisto — is set to follow.

Happy Place tackles life, loss, and everything in between

? Hardship is something we’re all destined to experience, but what makes it truly difficult is experiencing it alone. What helps? Knowing you’re not alone — not in your thoughts, feelings, or experiences, but that others are enduring the same moments, pains, and struggles. That makes life a little easier to bear. In her podcast, Happy Place, English author Fearne Cotton embraces exactly that.

The podcast explores life in all its nuances: love, friendship, parenthood, loss, and more. Cotton interviews influential figures from the worlds of literature, art, and politics in an attempt to dissect the concept of happiness. Episodes tackle themes of self-confidence, grief, anxiety, and the emotional journeys we all find ourselves treading regardless of time or place.

While the podcast’s backlog is brimming with episodes, one particular listen stood out to us, featuring global icon Kate Winslet. Winslet shared her experience with the loss of her mother and how grief transformed her completely, as well as the toll that years of derogatory media comments took a toll on her self-confidence.

A good host makes or breaks a podcast, and Cotton is an excellent one. Across numerous seasons spanning back to 2018, she approaches her topics with intelligence and a sharp mind, following up with insightful questions that open new perspectives while maintaining an intimate, human touch throughout — making the podcast a truly happy place for us to return to.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

?️ JANUARY

22 January - 3 February (Thursday-Tuesday): Cairo International Book Fair.

22-24 January (Friday-Thursday): El Sett Art exhibition at Cinema Radio.

23 January (Friday): Cairo International Book Fair opening ceremony.

23 January (Friday): Saad Eloud at Hilton Cairo Grand Nile.

23 January (Friday): Amr Selim at Cairo Opera House, Zamalek.

23-26 January (Friday-Monday): Art Cairo at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

24 January (Saturday): Mahmoud Rodaideh at CJC 610.

25 January (Sunday): January 25th Revolution / National Police Day.

25 January (Sunday): Fatma Said at the GEM.

26 January (Monday): Alaa El Sheikh X Boom Room at Open Air Mall, Madinaty.

29 January (Thursday): Official holiday in observance of the 25 January Revolution and Police Day.

29 January (Thursday): Tommyy at Theatro Arkan.

30 January (Friday): Cairo Marathon normal registration ends.

30-31 January (Friday-Saturday): Darb 15 Garage Sale in Maadi.

31 January (Saturday): Eyad El Mogy: El Sabt El Momtaz - The Last Dance at Hilton Cairo Grand Nile.

FEBRUARY

6 December - 15 February (Saturday-Sunday): Cairo Prints at Cairopolitan in Garden City.

6 February (Friday): Cairo Marathon at Heliopolis, Merryland Park.

7 February (Saturday): Cairo Flea Market at Al Horreya Garden.

11-15 February (Wednesday-Sunday): Animatex at AUC Tahrir Square.

13 February (Friday): Bryan Adams at the GEM.

17 February (Tuesday): First day of Ramadan (TBD).

MARCH

20 March (Friday): Eid Al-Fitr (TBD).

APRIL

2 April (Thursday): Hany Shaker at Theatro Arkan.

13 April (Monday): Sham El Nessim.

25 April (Saturday): Sinai Liberation Day.

MAY

1 May (Friday): Labor Day.

26 May (Tuesday): Arafat’s Day.

JUNE

16 June (Tuesday): Islamic New Year.

30 June (Tuesday): June 30th Revolution.

JULY

23 July (Thursday): July 23rd Revolution 1952.

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