My Morning Routine: Nabih Berzi, Edita Food Industries Snacking and Bakery Division CEO

Nabih Berzi, CEO of Edita Food Industries Snacking and Bakery Division: Each week, My Morning Routine looks at how a successful member of the community starts their day — and then throws in a couple of random business questions just for fun. Speaking to us this week is Edita Food Industries Snacking and Bakery Division CEO Nabih Berzi (LinkedIn).

Edited excerpts from our conversation:

My name is Nabih Berzi, and I’m the CEO of Edita Food Industries’ snacking and bakery division. I’ve spent over 14 years in the food industry, focusing on building brands that combine quality, affordability, and convenience for consumers across Egypt and the wider region. At its core, my role is about delivering value to consumers, shareholders, and the communities we serve.

Edita’s story started with a simple observation. Our group CEO was in Greece when he noticed a mother giving her child a packaged chocolate croissant on the beach. At the time, Egypt’s FMCG market didn’t have products like that — convenient, ready-to-eat snacks. That moment sparked the idea of bringing this format to Egypt, and it quickly proved to be a strong fit for a market where people are constantly on the move.

One of the most interesting shifts we’re seeing in the industry is the rise of better-for-you indulgence. Consumers still want great taste and convenience, but they’re increasingly looking for healthier options with higher protein, less sugar, and more natural ingredients. It’s a trend we’ve seen globally, and it’s now gaining traction in Egypt as well.

I’m not a very early morning person. I usually wake up around 8 am and the first thing I do is brew coffee using freshly ground beans. I like to take a few minutes to read the news, usually skimming through X to get a quick sense of what’s happening globally. Then I get ready and head to the office — it’s about a 10-minute drive. On the way, I listen to EnterpriseAM Morning Drive on Spotify to catch up on both the local and international business news.

To stay focused, I rely on what I call ruthless prioritization. At the start of each week, I define a short list of what really moves the needle. Regular check-ins with my executive team also help keep us aligned, and I also block time for deep thinking, away from emails and day-to-day noise.

No two days are exactly the same, which is something I really enjoy about my role. I usually start by reviewing the previous day’s sales to make sure we’re on track. From there, the day can include leadership meetings, strategy discussions, or visits to our production facilities to stay close to operations. I also make time for market visits, as being close to the consumer is critical in our industry.

I don’t like to stay at my desk for too long. I move around a lot — checking in with teams, sitting with colleagues, and staying connected to what’s happening across the business. That’s a constant in my day.

Outside of work, I’m very focused on my family. I have two young kids — a five-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl — and I make sure I’m home early enough to spend time with them before they go to bed. My father wasn’t as present as I would have liked when I was younger because of work, so I try to be intentional about that.

Looking ahead, my focus professionally is on accelerating growth, expanding our product portfolio, strengthening our regional presence, and continuing to lead in quality and sustainability. On a personal level, I’m committed to developing the next generation of leaders within the company, while continuing to invest time in my family. This year is also a milestone for us, as Edita is celebrating 30 years since its founding, and we’re preparing to mark the occasion with our stakeholders, partners, and teams.

Work-life balance is still an ongoing journey. I’ve learned that it’s less about splitting time evenly and more about being fully present — whether at work or at home.

I’m currently reading Chip War by Chris Miller, which looks at the history of semiconductors and how they’ve shaped the world today. Another book I found interesting is The Next Million Years by Charles Galton Darwin — it takes a long-term view of where humanity might be heading.

The best advice I’ve received came from our group CEO, who told me to always focus on people. Technology can be replicated, strategies can be copied, but a strong team and culture are what truly differentiate a company.