Egypt’s corporate learning and development (L&D) scene is being reshaped by economic pressures, rapid tech change, and the rise of artificial intelligence. Companies are rethinking how they train their people, with many moving away from traditional, classroom-style programs toward short, targeted, and skill-based learning that directly supports business goals, according to The Corporate Learning and Development Landscape in Egypt 2024 report (pdf) by the Onsi Sawiris School of Business Executive Education at the American University in Cairo.

THE METHODOLOGY- The report draws on interviews with 40 corporate executives across 13 industries — from banking and healthcare to ICT and agribusiness — as well as surveys of more than 100 executive education participants, highlighting a comprehensive picture of how Egyptian companies train, what skills they value most, and how they’re adapting their budgets and programs to keep up with global trends.

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Skills prevail over theory: Egyptian companies are shifting away from traditional, theory-heavy learning toward short, skill-based programs that deliver measurable business results. Almost one in five organizations identified technical training as their most urgent need — the highest share among all skill categories. Employers are seeking courses that close immediate gaps in areas such as AI, data analysis, and digital transformation, rather than the generic management courses that once dominated the market. Meanwhile, learners themselves are calling for hands-on, practical instruction. Experiential learning topped their list of unmet needs, with employees saying that programs often fail to provide real-world application or relevant local case studies.

Generic programs are losing ground. Around 41% of companies now favor customized training tailored to their business goals, compared with just 26% who rely on open-enrollment courses. Tailored training helps companies connect learning outcomes to their strategies and day-to-day operations. The goal is to make programs directly relevant to business performance, not just to personalize course content. Companies also want providers to blend hard and soft skills and to include industry-specific examples. In sectors such as ICT and insurance, firms report a growing disconnect between what’s being taught and what’s needed on the ground.

How do companies decide what to teach? The process of eliciting training needs has undergone its own transformation. Once driven almost entirely by HR and learning departments, training needs are now the result of cross-department collaboration. The share of companies where HR or L&D teams take the lead fell to 37% in 2024, down from a dominant 79% last year. In their place, department heads and senior management have taken a more active role, ensuring that learning priorities align with business outcomes rather than administrative checklists.

But strategy isn’t yet the main driver: Only 7% of companies base their training on long-term strategic vision — though that’s a small step up from 3% in 2023. The majority still rely on short-term needs assessments or ad hoc performance reviews to identify gaps. What’s disappeared almost entirely are market-based triggers. Unlike previous years, no company cited external pressures — such as competitor moves or market disruptions — as the reason behind their training plans. Egyptian firms are now focusing on internal skill gaps and immediate operational demands rather than external benchmarks. While this hands-on approach is practical, it also reveals that few companies use data or analytics to identify their training needs in a structured way. Many organizations still depend on manager observations or employee feedback rather than analytics or formal evaluation frameworks to determine what skills to develop.

Budgets are holding up despite the crunch: Despite the economic headwinds, the study found that 70% of companies expect to increase their training budgets in 2024. Healthcare and financial services now lead in L&D spending, overtaking automotive and oil and gas, which dominated in 2023. The trend suggests that more companies now view training as a strategic investment rather than an expense to be trimmed. Upskilling and reskilling are being seen as vital tools for retention and competitiveness, especially as companies struggle to attract and keep skilled workers. Timing also matters, as half of the companies now allocate L&D budgets in the final quarter of the year, aligning training with next year’s business planning cycle.

AI is changing how people learn: AI has become both a subject of training and a tool that shapes how learning itself is delivered. Artificial intelligence ranked as the top trending topic in corporate learning this year, cited by 30% of companies and 22% of learners. Beyond content, AI is also being used to personalize learning paths, track employee progress, and analyze performance data. Companies are beginning to experiment with AI-driven platforms and digital assessments that can tailor content to individual learning styles. Learners, for their part, are increasingly using platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning for self-paced upskilling.

Local providers take the lead: With FX volatility and devaluation continuing to squeeze costs, companies are turning towards local training providers. Local providers now dominate Egypt’s corporate training market, accounting for 82% of all provider choices, up slightly from last year. Multinationals operating in Egypt still turn to international partners for executive or leadership programs, but even they are increasingly commissioning local institutions to deliver customized courses that are more affordable and contextually relevant.

Upskilling as a retention strategy: Eighty-seven percent of surveyed companies said that upskilling and reskilling are a top priority, which holds across both local and multinational firms. For employees, the payoff is tangible, as 48% said that training led to career advancement, while 28% said it resulted in both promotions and financial rewards. Another 28% reported no direct benefit, underscoring that while training opportunities are growing, their impact isn’t always guaranteed. Learners’ motivations also offer insight into Egypt’s evolving work culture. Around 43% said they seek training simply to stay current, while 30% do it for certification and 24% for promotion. In a fast-changing economy, continuous learning is increasingly seen as essential job security.

Short, intensive formats are in demand: Preferences are shifting toward shorter programs that can be completed in days or weeks, rather than months. Shorter courses fit easier into busy corporate schedules and deliver immediate value, while long-format programs are now reserved for leadership or strategic training. At the same time, on-the-job training remains one of the most widespread methods. 85% of both local and multinational firms use this as a cost-effective way to teach skills in real time. Hybrid and blended learning, which surged during the pandemic, has dipped slightly. Face-to-face training rebounded to 43% of corporate preferences in 2024, while hybrid dropped to 40% and fully online learning to 17%.

Coaching and mentoring are also making a comeback: Coaching and mentoring programs — once rare in Egyptian companies — are now mainstream. About 72% of organizations use coaching and mentoring, either formally or informally, to support staff development. Formal programs tend to focus on leadership pipelines and succession planning, while informal arrangements rely on peer-to-peer support and workplace mentorship. For multinationals, these initiatives are linked to global leadership strategies, while for local firms, they’re often used to foster loyalty and reduce turnover. A clear succession plan strategy is also gaining traction, as 62% of companies now have one in place, and among multinationals, the share rises to 80%.

Economic pressures are changing priorities: Training often takes a hit during downturns and this year was no exception. Companies reported cutting travel expenses, reducing team-building activities, and focusing only on courses tied to core business competencies. Roughly a quarter of firms said they’ve narrowed their L&D efforts to essential skills that directly impact performance. Meanwhile, others are turning to digital learning as a cost-saving solution, using online platforms to maintain training momentum while reducing overhead.

More companies are adopting formal systems to evaluate training success, moving away from simple satisfaction surveys toward data-driven assessment models. The Kirkpatrick Model — a global benchmark for measuring training effectiveness — has gained popularity, now used by 29% of companies surveyed. In most firms, HR and L&D departments are responsible for tracking performance, using a mix of KPIs, employee feedback, and supervisor evaluations.

Micro-credentials and e-learning are gaining traction: Digital platforms are transforming Egypt’s L&D ecosystem. Some 57% of organizations use e-learning platforms, with 30% opting for Coursera, 27% for LinkedIn Learning, and 23% for Udemy. Awareness of micro-credentials — short, skill-focused digital certificates — is still limited, but it is growing. Only 27% of companies are familiar with the concept, and just 21% have adopted it. Those that have said they appreciate the flexibility, affordability, and lifelong learning culture these credentials support.

What drives the provider selection: When choosing a training provider, 30% of companies care most about quality and 27% about reputation, the report found. Price, though important, ranks third with 18%. Firms are willing to pay more for proven providers rather than risk underperforming courses. Decision-making typically sits within HR and L&D departments, but finance and top management remain closely involved. Payment preferences vary, with one-third of companies preferring to pay only after successful program completion, while others opt for a 50-50 split.

Your top education stories for the week:

  • The Education Ministry signed a letter of intent with the UAE’s Digital School to develop technical education. The partnership aims to modernize technical schools, align them with labor market needs, and introduce programming courses under an accredited international system. (Statement)
  • Tunisian private equity firm AfricInvest made one of Egypt’s largest education sector investments to date in the British University in Egypt through a capital increase.
  • The Education Ministry signed an MoU with Japan’s Hiroshima University and education firm Sprix to offer high school students an accredited certificate in programming and AI via the Kiryu platform, the first of its kind in Egypt. (Statement)
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