Soft breeze, great views, and even better food

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THE WEEK IN REVIEW

EGP rebounds as EGX gains; inflation remains on the rise

☀️ Top of the morning to ya, folks. It’s been an intense week, but we have a few ideas for how you can wind down and take a breather as the (tenuous?) two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran continues.

This long weekend, we’ll be getting our fair share of R&R… and a lot of food. Aside from trying one of Maadi’s hottest new pizza havens, we’re listing our favorite restaurants and cafés across Cairo where you can soak up the sun and take in the breeze. If you’re hitting the cinema, we’ve got you covered with two theatrical releases worth your time. All that and much more…

… but first, our weekly recap.

🗞️ LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS-

EGX WATCH-

The ceasefire is already being felt in the markets, with the EGX30 up 4.1% by the end of Wednesday’s trading, outperforming regional peers. The EGP also gained around 2.5% on the greenback by the time bank tellers shut up shop for the day on Wednesday. Thursday saw the benchmark index rise an additional 1.0%.

ECONOMY-

#1- Egypt’s annual urban inflation accelerated for a second consecutive month to 15.2% in March, up from 13.4% in February, as regional conflict, higher energy prices, and a weaker EGP drove broad-based cost pressures. Monthly inflation rose to 3.2%, according to Capmas.

#2- Moody’s Ratings affirmed Egypt’s Caa1 debt rating while maintaining the positive outlook it has held since March 2024, signaling that recent economic reforms are holding steady despite extreme pressure from the conflict in the region.

#3- Egypt’s non-oil private sector saw its fastest deterioration in operating conditions since April 2024 in March, reflecting a sharp dip in output and new orders that saw them both hit their lowest levels in nearly two years.

#4- The gov’t expects its financing gap to shrink to EGP 2.7 tn in the upcoming FY 2026-27 budget, down from EGP 3.6 tn in the current fiscal year.

#5- Egypt is a “triple deficit” economy, “combining fiscal, current account, and energy deficits,” which leaves it highly exposed to the fallout from the war in the region, according to the latest Allianz Economic Outlook 2026-27.

M&A WATCH-

We may soon see a bank-led rush on the country’s finance sector, as the Central Bank of Egypt expands the list of companies in the sector that are exempt from a previous 40% cap on how much equity banks can own.

PRIVATIZATION WATCH-

The government submitted listing documentation for five state-owned firms to the EGX. The proposed listings include a 30-40% stake in El Nahda Industries and an expected stake of up to 20% in Egyptian Ferroalloys Company, alongside stakes in El Nasr Glass, El Nasr Mining, and Alexandria Co. for Refractories.

AND- The EGX is set to receive listing applications for six additional state-owned enterprises next week, a government source told EnterpriseAM, including Midar for Investment, Misr Reinforced Concrete, and Maadi Development and Reconstruction, along with two subsidiaries of the Holding Company for Tourism.

FINTECH-

Instapay’s year-old 0.1% transaction fee hasn’t turned away customers as some had feared — but it has made the venture profitable. As usage continues to grow, the payment service has cemented its role as the bridge between formal bank accounts and the e-wallet ecosystem.

ENERGY-

#1- The gov’t agreed to purchase 3% of Libya’s monthly oil output at international prices, with Libya agreeing to flexible payment terms, covering between 1-1.2 mn barrels per month.

LOGISTICS-

#1- The Egyptian Customs Authority rolled out its fully automated export system this week at Ain Sokhna port, with plans to gradually expand across all ports.

#2- The Transport Ministry is offering around 1.9k feddans of land for logistics zones across Sinai along the strategic Arish–Taba corridor in Al Hasana, Baghdad, and Rafah.

🌍 AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

This week’s headlines were shaped by escalating tensions between the US and Iran. On Sunday, US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with “hell” if the strait wasn’t reopened in 48 hours. Amid the collateral global oil supply crisis, Opec+ agreed to raise output by 260K bbl / d for May. On Monday, Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s power infrastructure the next day, rejecting Iran’s 45-day ceasefire proposal. By Tuesday, he doubled down on his threats, warning that “a whole civilization will die.” Oil prices surged amid the stagnant ceasefire talks and continued attacks across the Gulf.

Right before the deadline, the two countries settled on a two-week ceasefire subject to a “complete, immediate, and safe” re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Relieved market reactions followed, as oil prices plunged on Wednesday. However, an attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline Wednesday afternoon and a barrage of Israeli missiles on Beirut yesterday threatened to unravel the agreement, leading Tehran’s lead negotiator to label any continued negotiations as “unreasonable.”

IN THE BUSINESS PRESS- Pershing Square Capital founder Bill Ackman offered to buy Universal Music Group last Tuesday in a hybrid tender and stock agreement to value the world’s largest music company at about USD 64.4 bn. Meanwhile, in the world of AI, Tech giant Meta debuted its first new LLM model — Muse Spark — since CEO Mark Zuckerberg launched a multi-bn-USD drive to bring on fresh AI talent.

AND- In the feud between Anthropic and the Pentagon, a DC federal appeals court declined to obstruct the national security blacklisting of the AI ‌company. The move could block contractors who work with the Pentagon from using AI models by the startup. A separate appeals court had issued the opposite ruling in late March.

☀️ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND-

You might want to take some time this weekend to bring out your summerwear, seeing as we’ll be in for a few warm and sunny days. Temperatures today are set to peak at 27°C, with a low of 15°C. Over the coming days, expect highs of 26-28°C and lows of 15-17°C, according to our favorite weather app.

🎤 HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND-

Comedian crew The Goats are back with a second serving of their standup show happening tonight at Theatro Arkan. Hot off the success of a sold-out show last month, the group is back with a guest star: Ahmed Bahaa. Doors open at 7pm — you can get your tickets on Ticketsmarché.

Famed Nigerian singer Burna Boy is landing in Egypt tomorrow at El Gouna’s Festival Plaza. The singer will be bringing his chart-topping Afro-fusion music to the stage. You can book your tickets on Ticket Egypt.

🎤 HAPPENING NEXT WEEK-

Are you a Sokhna regular on weekends? The Backyard Festival launches Sunday, 12 April at Ain El Sokhna’s Azha, featuring live performances by pop icon Tamer Hosny and Moroccan-American rapper French Montana. The show starts at 6pm — grab your tickets now on Ticketsmarché.

Up for an immersive writing retreat? Diwan Bookstore and Ardi Holistic Wellness Center teamed up to launch a series of residential workshops, kicking off with Based on True Events, a memoir writing retreat with Palestinian-Egyptian writer Mai Serhan, author of I Can Imagine It for Us.

The three-day retreat runs from Thursday, 16 April to Saturday, 18 April in Dahshur, and focuses on crafting personal narratives while navigating the ethical considerations of writing about real-life experiences. Spots are limited — book yours through Diwan’s website.

The iconic Tul8te is making his Alexandria debut at Al Ittihad Alexandria Club on Friday, 17 April. The live show promises a lineup of the singer’s fan-favorite hits, alongside new music. The night starts at 6pm — grab your tickets on Ticketsmarché before they sell out.

Where to dine al fresco this Easter

🍽️🍃 If you’re staying in Cairo this weekend, why not restaurant hop your way across the city dining al fresco? Cairo has no shortage of eateries with a view — perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner — and we’re serving up a lot of options for sampling.

For the foodies

#1- Khufu’s: With stunning panoramic views of the Great Pyramids of Giza, one would think that would be Khufu’s selling point — but their food rivals even this wonder of the world. With Chef Mostafa Seif at the helm, the choice is yours from a menu of finger-licking Egyptian delicacies with a twist.

BEST FOR- Breakfast.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Khufu’s is located at the Giza Plateau. Reservations can be made through their website.

#2- Mazeej Balad: Downtown Cairo can be a little crowded at times, but why not rise above it all? Mazeej offers just that. Located on the rooftop of the Michelin-key boutique hotel, it offers a 360-view with incredible cuisine offerings. Dishes range from the creative, such as orange blossom and pistachio pancakes, to the traditional, like slow-cooked lamb. Check out our review here.

BEST FOR- Brunch.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You’ll find Mazeej Balad at 11 Mahmoud Bassiouny, Downtown Cairo. Reservations can be made through this link.

#3- Al Khan by Granita: Zamalek’s Granita is one of the city’s most beloved restaurant-cafés, and it has steadfastly held onto that honor for years… until its sister gave it a run for its money. Located by the lake in Al Azhar Park, Al Khan whisks you back to medieval times with its arabesque aesthetic and front-and-center view of the citadel. While breakfast with a view would be a fine choice, it’s at night when the restaurant truly comes alive.

BEST FOR-Dinner.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Al Khan by Granita is located in Al Azhar Park, Cairo.

#4- Otto: One could argue that you can’t have a proper al fresco experience without Italian food. Whether you’re craving Cacio e Pepe served from a giant cheese roll, looking to snack on some blueberry risotto, or simply find yourself in need of a Neopolitana, Otto has it all — served up under a gorgeous verdant veranda reminiscent of a loving nonna’s home.

BEST FOR-Lunch.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Otto at New Cairo’s Garden 8. Reservations can be made through their website.

#5- The Smokery: Whether you’re in Heliopolis, New Cairo, or reside west of the capital, The Smokery is always ready to serve. For almost 14 years now, this Cairene culinary hotspot has been dishing out a one-of-a-kind experience. With an international menu brimming with Mediterranean fusion dishes, the food is rivalled only by the outdoor dining experience.

BEST FOR-Lunch and dinner.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find The Smokery at Katameya Heights, Palm Hills, Heliopolis, and in El Gouna.

#6- El Mohammady: Nothing says “national holiday” quite like kabab and kofta by the Nile. With a vast outdoor seating area, the Mansoura-born Egyptian grill house offers quite the non-traditional traditional experience. Be careful not to over-order though — portions can be pretty generous.

BEST FOR- Lunch.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You’ll find El Mohammady on the Nile Corniche in Maadi.

#7- Tenaya: A true riverside dining escape worth visiting for the view alone. The menu features all sorts of international staples and beloved Egyptian classics, and dishes that blur the line between both — you’ll find everything from baked camembert skillet to mahshi kromb. You can find our full review here.

BEST FOR- Dinner.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Tenaya is located near the Maadi Sporting & Nile Club on the Corniche.

For coffee, cake, and the spring breeze

#1- Dainties: Cool, calm, and quiet, this specialty coffee house is where to go with a book, a journal, and a friend to enjoy some peaceful quality time. Besides coffee, the New Cairo spot serves up all sorts of breakfast classics, sammies, healthy bowls, and salads.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Dainties at New Cairo’s Stella.

#2- Cake Café: Located in New Cairo with an outdoor seating area enshrouded in greenery, this cafe is where to go when you’re looking to have some coffee, a nice conversation, and some really good cake. Our favorite slice? Definitely the cherry vanilla.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find it at Swan Lake Katameya.

#3- Garden Promenade Café: Why not do what European royalty once did? At the Cairo Marriott Hotel’s Garden Promenade Café, you’ll be surrounded by intricate arabesque gates, marble statues, and the lovely Zamalek breeze.

#4- KMT House: Akin to a picnic experience — with none of the prep — KMT serves up its coffee and international cuisine staples outdoors, surrounded by trees, ponds, and — if you stick around — a great sunset ambiance. Curious to find out more about the Maadi haven? Check out our review here.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You’ll find KMT House on Street 15, Maadi.

Honorable mentions

(** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

Double trouble: Sentimental Value & Life After Siham

🍿 Sentimental Value offers a portrait of a seemingly simple family struggling with fractures carried down from generations. Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) are sisters reunited with their estranged father, Gustav (Stellan Skarsgard), a prominent film director plotting a comeback after a long hiatus. When Nora flatly rejects a role in Gustav’s upcoming film about their family, he sows discord by casting a Hollywood star (played by Elle Fanning) to star in the film instead.

What we liked: The film is grounded and honest — its greatest strength. Director Joachim Trier and his longtime writing partner Eskil Vogt avoid the trap of over-the-top family melodrama, relying instead on a precise, quiet narrative with a patient lens to highlight the stark contrasts between the lead characters. This friction, particularly between the two sisters, serves as the primary engine for the plot with poignant sequences.

Sentimental value raises a critical question about the ethics of turning private family pain into public art. When Gustav replaces his actual daughter with an actress to tell her story, his selfishness — born from his own internal struggles — is laid bare. Trier captures this masterfully without passing moral judgment, instead presenting it as a meditation on the commodification of memory in the pursuit of reclaiming lost professional glory.

Our final verdict? It’s an emotional powerhouse of a film that hits home. The film — well-deserving of its Best International Feature W at the last Academy Awards — is well-worth a watch if you are looking for a pure, deeply human cinematic experience.

WHERE TO WATCH- Catch the film at Downtown Cairo’s Zawya. Watch the trailer on YouTube (watch, runtime: 2:07).

Life After Siham is an intimate exploration of grief

🎞️ Life After Siham is a documentary that explores death, grief, reconciliation, and hope through years of personal archives. French-Egyptian director Namir Abdel Messeeh uses his lens to unpack deep-seated family traumas following the death of his mother in the final installment of this trilogy — following You, Wagih (2005) and The Virgin, the Copts and Me (2012).

The plot: The film's emotional anchor is the 2015 passing of Abdel Messeeh’s mother Siham, who played a central figure in his previous work. Faced with paralyzing shock, he began filming the funeral and the mundane days that followed. The narrative cleverly weaves in archival footage from Egyptian cinema classics — most notably Youssef Chahine’s Return of the Prodigal Son.

What we liked:The film is a masterclass in navigating death and grief, including candid conversations with his father and children and snippets of Egypt’s golden-age cinema. Abdel Messeeh uses the camera as both a shield and a weapon — confronting uncomfortable truths and exploring his own fears of being forgotten. The execution is sharp, with the director starting the film seemingly lost among fragments of the past and ending it with a sense of uncertainty that lends humanity to the narrative.

Our verdict: We loved it, finding the watch an immersive human experience that invites viewers to face their own features and reckon with their own emotions.

WHERE TO WATCH IT- You can catch the film at Zawya and Renaissance Cinema theatres across Egypt. Watch the trailer on YouTube (watch, runtime: 1:33).

Maadi’s Dough Party knows how to throw one

🍕 All good pizza starts in Maadi — Vinny’s, What the Crust, Two Broz, and our brand new favorite: Dough Party. The collaboration between Meat Party’s Nadim Samy and pizzaiolo Kimo Rady has produced one of the best pizzas we’ve had in Cairo.

What to expect: The menu is straightforward and doesn’t confuse, and we love the fact that you can order by the slice or by the pie. Generous in size as New York-style pizza should be, slices start at EGP 80 for a tomato sauce pizza and reach up to EGP 165 for the White Truffle Mushroom. There’s also a “Party of Four” option that lets you choose four slices for EGP 319.

Hitting the classics: We ordered Pepperoni, Margherita, Stracciatella, and White Truffle Mushroom. All pizzas arrive with signature fresh basil leaves and a sprinkling of shaved parm. The aroma that filled the room before we even opened the box was a sign that we were in for a treat.

What we liked: The pizza crust was sheer perfection — thin and crispy without being dry. We enjoyed all four pizzas, but the pepperoni with hot honey took the cake. We were happy with the amount of pepperoni on the slice, but if you like your pie covered generously, order extra. The Truffle Mushroom was also a good choice — the truffle wasn’t too overpowering. We were such fans of the tasty crust that we would recommend getting some marinara, hot honey, or sweet basil dipping sauce on the side to dip the thick crispy edges of the crust into.

The verdict: If you’re in Maadi or if you want a fun catering option for your next event or party, we definitely recommend giving Dough Party a try. This pizza is truly exceptional and we can’t wait to see them expand to New Cairo and other areas of the city.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Dough Party is currently only available in Maadi at Kitchinco ’s on Road 206 and for home delivery through Talabat, but you will soon be able to visit a physical location in New Cairo, Samy tells us.

🪑 Outdoor seating: Yes

🍺 Alcohol: No

🦽 Accessibility friendly: Yes

Diablo may be immortal, but players’ bank accounts aren’t

🎮 Hell has never looked so good… or cost so much. Diablo Immortal promised to be the new age of the franchise — a bridge between Diablo II and III that would bring the full, blood-soaked AAA experience to your phone. But what started as an ambitious experiment in mobile gaming quickly turned into a cautionary tale about the price of f2p.

The origin story: When Game Director Wyatt Cheng revealed Diablo Immortal to a room full of PC diehards in 2018, a stunned fan asked if it would ever come to PC and spawned a meme. Cheng famously replied, “Do you guys not have phones?” making the quote a famous quip in gaming history. Despite the PR disaster, the promise remained: a true Diablo game, uncompromised by the platform.

To give credit where it is due, when the game finally launched in 2022, it was shocking — mostly because it was good. Punchy combat, stellar graphics, and a polished campaign that cost absolutely nothing for the first 20 hours. But as players dug into the post-campaign content, they discovered an aggressive monetization system. Analysis by community figures revealed a staggering statistic: to fully max out a character would cost an estimated USD 110k, or roughly 10 years of grinding for a f2p user.

Despite the backlash, the game remains a financial juggernaut, reportedly pulling in mns in monthly revenue four years post-launch. The game has received consistent updates, including new classes like the Blood Knight and Tempest, and the PC client eventually graduated from beta.

The verdict: Diablo Immortal exists now as a polished experience for the casual player — a fun demon-slaying diversion if you ignore the shop, but a hollow experience for those who remember when loot was earned by skill, not a credit card.

💯 Rating: 60/100 (User Score), 85/100 (Critical Score at Launch)

⌛ Hours of gameplay: Infinite (if your pockets are deep enough)

🔁 Replay value: 6/10

👾 Platforms: iOS, Android, PC

💵 Price: At no cost (Microtransactions range from USD 1 to USD 100+ bundles)

Your economic compass through a volatile world

👂 Bloomberg Surveillance is less of a podcast and more of a daily blueprint for the C-suite. Anchored by Tom Keene and Paul Sweeney, alongside Lisa Mateo and Michael Barr, the show functions as a high-octane intelligence briefing designed to move senior decision-makers past the headlines and into the mechanics of global policy and capital flows.

What to expect: In a recent episode, this approach was on full display as the team untangled the fragile breather currently felt in global markets. Featuring a panel of heavyweight experts, the discussion moved beyond data points. The takeaway was clear: we’re in a tactical pause where markets are increasingly dictated by breaking news. The episode maps how a chokepoint like the Strait of Hormuz translates directly into inflationary waves and central bank pivots.

What we liked: The show refuses to aggregate commodity news, instead dissecting how the financial world reacts to crises in real-time. We particularly appreciated its hosts’ ability to identify patterns that often go missed. While its rapid tempo and density may be demanding for the uninitiated, it provides the exact kind of depth required by those managing risk during volatile times.

Our verdict: The podcast should be one of your primary sources if you need to understand the intersection of politics and markets. It focuses not just on what’s happening, but why it matters to your bottom line.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can tune in on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anghami.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

🗓️ APRIL

7 April - 8 June (Tuesday-Monday): Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience at District 5 by Marakez in New Cairo.

10 April (Friday): The Goats Vol.2 at Theatro Arkan.

10-13 April (Friday-Monday): New Capital Spring Carnival at Green River Park, New Capital.

11 April (Saturday): Burna Boy at Festival Plaza, El Gouna.

11 April (Saturday): Cairo Flea Market at Ghurnata Community Space, Heliopolis.

12 April (Sunday): Spring Flowers Exhibition one-day preview at the Agricultural Museum.

12 April (Sunday): Backyard Festival: Tamer Hosny and French Montana at Azha Ain El Sokhna.

13 April (Monday): Sham El Nessim.

13 April (Monday): Disco Misr at Reiki Beach, Ain El Sokhna.

13 April (Monday): Sharmoofers at Soho Square, Sharm El Sheikh.

15 April (Wednesday): Wust El Balad and Nouran Abu Taleb at CJC 610.

16 April (Thursday): Spring Flowers Exhibition at the Agricultural Museum.

16 April (Thursday): El Leila El Kebira at Theatro Arkan.

16 April (Thursday): Lowest price guarantee registration closes for The Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon.

16 April - 30 June (Thursday-Tuesday): Early bird registration for The Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon.

16-18 April (Thursday-Saturday): Based on True Events: Memoir Writing with Mai Serhan in Ardi, Dahshur.

17 April (Friday): Run for Youth Employment at The British University in Egypt.

17 April (Friday): Amr Selim at Small Theatre, Cairo Opera House.

17 April (Friday): Tul8te at Al Ittihad Alexandria Club, Alexandria.

23 April (Thursday): Hisham Kharma at Cairo Opera House main hall.

24 April (Friday): Daylight saving time begins.

24 April (Friday): Medhat Saleh at Ewart Memorial Hall, AUC Tahrir Square.

24 April (Friday): Ain Gamal at Al Manara Main Hall.

24 April (Friday): Marwan Pablo at Music Arena in Antoniads, Alexandria.

25 April (Saturday): Sinai Liberation Day.

25 April (Sunday): The Marketers League at The Grand Egyptian Museum.

27 April - 2 May (Monday-Saturday): Alexandria Short Film Festival.

MAY

1 May (Friday): Labor Day.

1-2 May (Friday-Saturday): Cotzl’s Step Into the Light bazaar at Al Horreya Garden, Zamalek.

7-9 May (Thursday-Saturday): Sandbox Festival in El Gouna.

26 May (Tuesday): Arafat’s Day.

26 May (Tuesday): Andrea Bocelli at the City of Arts and Culture in the New Administrative Capital.

27-29 May (Wednesday-Friday): Eid El Adha (TBC).

JUNE

16 June (Tuesday): Islamic New Year.

30 June (Tuesday): June 30th Revolution.

JULY

1 July - 2 November (Wednesday-Monday): General registration for The Marakez Pyramids Half Marathon.

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

24 July (Friday): Adriatique at the North Coast.

AUGUST

21 August (Friday): Black Coffee at Cubix North Coast.

25 August (Thursday): Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday.

OCTOBER

1-4 October (Thursday-Sunday): She Arts festival across Cairo and Alexandria.

6 October (Tuesday): Armed Forces Day.

24 October (Saturday): Blue 25th Anniversary Tour at New Capital.

NOVEMBER

28 November (Saturday): Shakira at the Pyramids of Giza.

DECEMBER

11-12 December (Friday-Saturday): TheMarakezPyramids Half Marathon at the Pyramids of Giza.

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