A meeting between El Sisi and Netanyahu?

Monday, 8 Dec 2025

A meeting between El Sisi and Netanyahu?

An independent publication supported by

Opening up a world of opportunity

Realize More

Live More

Powering with nature

Driving growth

Today at a glance

What We're Tracking Today

US is trying to arrange a meeting between El Sisi, Netanyahu.

Tax

What do the stock market incentives offered under the second package of tax facilities entail?

Manufacturing

IDG launches EGP 4.8 bn industrial zone in New October.

Coffee With

Egytrans’ Abir Leheta details the inside track of Egytrans-Nosco merger.

Also on our Radar

Foreign reserves increase to USD 50.2 bn in November.

What We're Tracking Today

Abou Ghali Auto Group adds double-cab pickup EV to portfolio.

PLANET FINANCE

AI to drive global growth in 2026 -Deutsche Bank.

BLACKBOARD

How is Egypt scaling digital higher education?

What We're Tracking Today

US is trying to arrange a meeting between El Sisi, Netanyahu

Good morning, all. We have another brisk issue for you this morning, with the news cycle showing little signs of picking up as we inch closer to the end of the year. Leading today’s issue is an unconfirmed report that Washington is trying to arrange a meeting between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. We also dive into what can be expected from the stock market incentives offered under the second package of tax facilities.

PSA-

WEATHER- The Egyptian Meteorological Authority is warning of foggy skies this morning and a light chance of rain across Greater Cairo to accompany the cooling weather. The capital is in for a high of 20°C and a low of 12°C, according to our favorite weather app.

Alexandria is in for heavier rains and a high of 21°C and a low of 12°C.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

Our USD 35 bn gas export agreement with Israel will remain in limbo for another month after the Leviathan partners pushed their deadline to obtain an export permit from Israel’s Energy Ministry to 31 December, according to a press release from partner NewMed Energy (pdf). The permit is required for the USD 35 bn gas export agreement between Egypt and Israel to take effect.

The future of the agreement has been uncertain for a while now, with Israel hitting pause on it in November “until its interests are secured and a fair price for the Israeli [gas] market is agreed upon.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reportedly froze the agreement in September amid rising Israeli-Egyptian tensions.

Some say the permit will likely come through but possibly at lower volumes, while others argue Israel is using the delay to secure a higher export price, industry publication Middle East Economic Survey (Mees) reported, citing people it said are familiar with the talks. The proposed volumes would likely be priced broadly in line with current export rates — around USD 5.5-6 per mn Btu at today’s Brent levels. In the interim, the partners could opt for smaller initial volumes now and push to renegotiate higher-priced volumes later, Mees said.

If additional flows don’t move ahead, there are alternatives: An Egyptian official told Israeli business outlet Globes that Egypt has other alternatives and could again tap Qatari LNG. However, Cairo currently prefers shorter-term arrangements rather than the long-term contracts Doha typically seeks, Mees said.

Some also question whether increasing imports from Leviathan beyond current levels is a good idea, with one industry source warning that concentrating too heavily on a single supplier comes with risks, pointing to Europe’s experience with Russian gas, Mees added.

The agreement is about a lot more than just gas at this point: Netanyahu approving the agreement could open the door for a potential US-brokered meeting between him and President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Axios reports citing a US official. Washington sees the potential meeting as part of a broader effort to revive Israel’s ties with Arab countries through economic diplomacy, with US officials pressing Netanyahu to first approve the natural gas agreement and other economic measures to encourage Egypt to participate.

POLICY-

The government is preparing a new package of incentives and policies aimed at boosting private sector investment across key industries, according to a cabinet statement. The package will include measures to support investment in priority sectors such as industry, tourism, ICT, agriculture, and renewable energy, alongside national initiatives like the Universal Health Ins. System.

HAPPENING TODAY-

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s First Vice President Greg Guyett will land in Cairo today for his first official visit to the country in his new role, the bank said in a statement. Guyett will be accompanied by the bank’s Vice President for Banking Matteo Patrone and Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region Mark Davis.

The three-day visit will see the delegation meet private sector players and senior state officials, including Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, Industry Minister Kamel Al Wazir, Planning and International Cooperation Minister Rania Al Mashat, and Oil Minister Karim Badawi.

AUTOMOTIVE-

EXCLUSIVE- Abou Ghali Auto Group adds electric pickups to its lineup: Abou Ghali Auto Group has secured exclusive rights to distribute Geely’s electric utility brand, Riddara, in Egypt, chairman and CEO Moustafa Abou Ghali told us last night. The agreement brings Geely Riddara ’s fully electric, double-cab pickup truck to the local market — a first in a segment traditionally dominated by heavy diesel powertrains.

It’s becoming a niche for the Abou Ghali: The move comes just months after Abou Ghali introduced the UAE-based Sandstorm — another double-cab utility vehicle — to the local market as the group doubles down on commercial mobility. Abou Ghali plans to start assembling the S24 here in 2026 and will target exports to both regional and global markets.

The market niche: Tariffs mean the Toyota Hilux and Nissan Navara are attractive only to businesses that can bring in vehicles customs-free (think: oil and gas). Abou Ghali is smartly positioning itself with lower-cost alternatives, capitalizing on trade agreements with the S24 and now the Sisi administration’s push into EVs.

Why it matters: Industry players including our friends at electrofitters Shift EV have proven there’s appetite for electrification in the commercial and fleet sectors. Abou Ghali’s launch of Geely Riddara will give construction contractors an off-the-shelf option in a sector where torque and running costs are king.

Have you checked out EnterpriseAM MENA <> India? It's our newest briefing tracking one of the world's most dynamic trade, investment, and cultural corridors. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we'll track the transactions, trends, and market moves connecting these two dynamic regions. The flow of capital, talent, and trade between MENA and the Indian subcontinent is one of the most important economic stories in the world — and we’re telling as only we can.

If you’re investing, trading, or scouting for your next big move in MENA or India, subscribe to EnterpriseAM MENA <> India by tapping here to get the strategic intelligence you need.

** DID YOU KNOW that we cover Saudi Arabia and the UAE?

** Were you forwarded this email? Tap or click here to get your own copy delivered every weekday before 7am Cairo time — without charge.

ICYMI- Missed this week’s Inside Industry? In our weekly vertical exploring all things industry and manufacturing, we looked at what the government is doing to restructure the industrial financing system in a bid to support local industry. Check out the story here.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

It’s a quiet Monday morning in the global press, with a few notable stories making headlines:

#1- Phase two of the Gaza peace agreement? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will meet with US President Donald Trump later this month as negotiations advance on the second phase of the Trump-backed Gaza ceasefire plan. Netanyahu said the meeting will address the plan’s next steps, which include ending Hamas’ rule in Gaza and establishing an interim technocratic Palestinian government overseen by an international body. (Reuters | Guardian | AFP)

#2- A water leak in the Louvre’s Egyptian department has damaged hundreds of rare books. The leak affected Egyptology journals and research documents from the late 19th and early 20th centuries but no heritage artefacts. The Louvre confirmed there were no irreversible losses, and the materials will be restored. (Guardian | Reuters | New York Times | Bloomberg)

*** It’s Blackboard day: We have our weekly look at the business of education in Egypt, from pre-K through the highest reaches of higher ed.

In today’s issue: We look at what the government is doing to scale digital higher education.

Tags:

DIPLOMACY What We're Tracking Today

Our Second Championship Course by the Red Sea. Sustainably Crafted.

Tax

What do the stock market incentives offered under the second package of tax facilities entail?

Newly-listed companies could soon enjoy a three-year exemption from taxes on income from IPOing under a set of incentives to encourage trading activity and IPOs on the EGX that is currently being studied by the Finance Ministry and the Financial Regulatory Authority, a government source told EnterpriseAM. The soon-to-be announced incentives will be put into law during 1H 2026 as part of the recently unveiled second package of tax facilities after the proposals get the necessary regulatory approvals, we were told.

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

The exemption will be tied to achieving quantifiable performance indicators, including trading volumes, capex, and expansion plans. Companies may also qualify for another three years of the exemption, based on growth and other indicators.

This will help ensure companies are not taking advantage of the tax break: When we sat down with CI Capital's CEO of the sell-side investment bank Amr Helal he mentioned the importance of a more balanced approach when it comes to listing incentives that reward genuine participation rather than opportunistic listings. Helal told us the finance minister’s push to incentivize listings could be the catalyst Egypt’s equity market needs, cautioning that the design of those incentives will determine whether the coming IPO wave will be sustainable.

The proposals also include an exemption from tax on gains for holding companies arising from sales of stakes in Egyptian subsidiaries under certain conditions, as well as from income generated from the sale of unlisted shares.

That’s not all: Last week, while announcing the second package of facilities, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said the government is moving to replace the capital gains tax with a stamp duty to encourage institutional investment in the EGX.

The package will also include:

Legislative amendment to introduce a minimum threshold for debt that can be written off without lengthy legal procedures;
Regulations allowing taxpayers to reclaim their credit balances directly based on the tax return, ensuring better liquidity for taxpayers;
Unifying administrative seizure procedures and the mechanisms for lifting them in a bid to streamline processes and reduce the burdens faced by taxpayers due to inconsistent practices across different tax offices.

The ministry is also working on a set of regulatory measures to tackle the growing problem of shell companies, which lead to tax invoices discrepancies, undermined tax fairness, and curbed overall compliance, according to our source.

The package will also include a cabinet decision requiring all state entities to conduct their transactions only through the corporate tax card system, a move that is expected to boost tax registration and expand the taxpayer base. Targeted entities include water, electricity, and natural gas companies.

REMEMBER- This is package two of four: The first package came with the aim of building trust between taxpayers and the tax authority, and the second to incentivize tax compliance. Meanwhile, the third package will focus on addressing distortions in tax laws and procedures and will introduce a new internal mechanism for dispute resolution, a step expected to reduce the need for future dispute settlement laws and minimize reliance on arbitration or prolonged litigation. The fourth package will focus on strengthening tax enforcement measures. It will include decisive actions to address violations within the informal economy and ensure the integrity of the tax system.

Tags:

Manufacturing

IDG launches EGP 4.8 bn industrial zone in New October

The Industrial Development Group (IDG) has launched its EGP 4.8 bn, 1.6 mn sqm industrial park in New October — dubbed e2 New October — CEO Shady William announced at a presser attended by EnterpriseAM yesterday. The park will host 100 factories, each covering at least 300 sqm, focusing on engineering, food, pharma, chemicals, and textiles, creating around 10k direct jobs, William said.

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

The details: The industrial park aims to attract advanced, high-tech industries requiring sophisticated infrastructure to compete globally. It also seeks to draw foreign investment and support local manufacturers that meet high environmental standards and reduce their carbon footprint, in line with global trends.

REMEMBER- IDG secured the plot for the project from the New Urban Communities Authority in 2023.

IDG expects to complete infrastructure work and start selling plots within three to four years, William said. The company had launched the first phase of the project in March, with plans to deliver plots within a year.

This is IDG’s second industrial zone in the area — the group also has the e2 October industrial zone in 6th of October, which has so far seen high demand from industrial players with 89% of its plots already allocated, William said. The 3 mn sqm zone hosts 200 factories — 120 of which are already operational and 80 are under construction.

What’s next? IDG is looking to acquire a land plot in the new capital next year, as part of its efforts to expand nationwide, William added.

** We recently spoke to William for our My Morning Routine column, where he dove into his responsibilities as CEO, IDG, and industrial development as a whole. Check out the interview here.

Tags:

Industrial Development Group infrastructure Manufacturing

Coffee With

Egytrans’ Abir Leheta details the inside track of Egytrans-Nosco merger

Coffee with Abir Leheta: The newly-merged Egytrans-Nosco started trading on the EGX last Thursday and EnterpriseAM got the chance to catch up with CEO Abir Leheta (LinkedIn) on the sidelines of the opening bell marking the company’s official trading debut. We spoke to Leheta about the merged entity’s growth plans and what’s next for Egytrans-Nosco amid a mix of challenges and opportunities in the local and regional logistics markets.

REMEMBER- Egytrans completed its acquisition of 99.9% of National Transport and Overseas Services Company(Nosco) in September, marking the first reverse merger on the Egyptian Stock Exchange through a share swap. The transaction has been in the works since at least March 2023. Under the transaction terms, Leheta — originally Egytrans CEO — became the CEO of shared services for the merged entity, while Nosco’s Mohamed Nadim became CEO for commercial affairs and operations.

Edited excerpts from our conversation:

EnterpriseAM: Following the reverse merger, how does Egytrans-Nosco stand out and improve its competitiveness in the logistics market?

Abir Leheta: Today, we have merged two entities, each bringing a unique set of strengths to the table. Egytrans’ core advantage was its diversity and continuous expansion in services. Nosco, meanwhile, offered deep expertise in specialized transport, road transport, and major projects. By combining these strengths, we move beyond simple service provision to offering integrated solutions for clients needing complex logistics answers, or for those seeking significant transport economies.

We're now 1.5 times the size of Egytrans pre-merger. The acquisition dramatically increased our scale. Our capital grew from EGP 156 mn to EGP 224 mn, pushing our market capitalization above EGP 1 bn. Regarding physical capacity, we manage a total storage capacity of 72k sqm. This includes 46k sqm managed by Egytrans and 26k sqm inherited from Nosco

EnterpriseAM: What is the official structure and brand identity moving forward? Will Nosco’s brand name remain in use?

AL: The listed parent company will be renamed “Egytrans-Nosco,” and a corporate restructuring plan will be rolled out following an Extraordinary General Assembly meeting scheduled for 11 December. Under the plan, Egytrans-Nosco will centrally manage all our transport and logistics investments. Beneath this umbrella, we will have four fully-owned subsidiaries: Egytrans for Logistics Solutions, Egytrans for Storage Solutions, Nosco (retaining its role as the road transport and projects arm), and our Saudi-based launchpad, Egytrans Arabia. Additionally, we maintain strategic ownership in partner companies like Wilhelmsen Group and Nafith International.

EnterpriseAM: Can you share with us some details about your growth plans?

AL: We achieved significant growth in our logistics services, which is our core business, averaging 50% annual expansion in that activity in recent years, and we are maintaining a strategic focus on it. Regarding other services, our storage capabilities will see a major expansion with the addition of a 17k sqm warehouse in Ain Sokhna, slated for rollout next year. We are also moving into the business of transporting agricultural crops. As for our transport services, it highly depends on the volume of active projects in Egypt and how many more projects we are able to secure — so, it varies.

Moving forward, the merger will enable us to take on more clients and projects. It also made us able to send part of our fleet to Saudi Arabia. We recently secured a wind transport project that began in August and will continue until the first half of 2026. We are also heavily involved in the mobility sector, supporting projects like the Abu Qir Metro, and are executing multiple major transport operations at the Dabaa nuclear power station.

EnterpriseAM: Speaking of more clients, can you tell us more about your expansion into Saudi Arabia?

Egytrans Arabia launched operations in the Kingdom last January with three primary goals for the year: Establishing a strong presence, building a robust team, and developing a powerful fleet. It has already secured projects in the railway, electricity, NEOM station, and petroleum sectors. Crucially, we are utilizing it to increase freight traffic between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, positioning Egytrans Arabia as our key launchpad for serving the entire Gulf region.

EnterpriseAM: The use of tech and AI-powered applications can help several trucking companies consolidate bigger market shares. Where does the new entity stand on technology?

AL: AI is now integrated into our operations, from warehouses to increase their efficiency, to the organization and planning of road transport. This leads to helping reduce travel distances and ensuring better utilization of our fleet.

Our investment in Nafith Egypt — a JV focused on digitized logistics solutions with Nafith International — underscores our serious commitment to tech in the sector. We firmly believe that digitization can improve not just our company’s performance, but the performance of the economy as a whole by improving the movement of transport within the country. Furthermore, we maintain a strong interest in transport and logistics startups, adopting ideas and establishing partnerships through programs like Logivators.

EnterpriseAM: Have Red Sea trade disruptions affected your operations in the short term? How did you adapt?

AL: The disruptions certainly had an impact, but they pushed us to innovate. For example, we swiftly rolled out a new transit service connecting China and the Gulf countries to Europe via Egyptian territory. It’s a solution that was crafted to save our customers a lot of time compared to taking the long route around the Cape of Good Hope.

EnterpriseAM: Can you comment on Egytrans’ financial performance in recent years?

AL: We saw a downward trend in the bottom line recently, primarily due to the merger process. Many projects were concentrated under Nosco’s umbrella, which did not immediately reflect in Egytrans's performance before consolidation. Once consolidated financial statements are released, this trend will be remedied.

We also faced a decline in freezone activity due to a government decision halting the entry of cars for people living with disabilities. Consequently, we are pivoting our freezone services to focus on other goods and value-added services aimed at export.

EnterpriseAM: What’s your take on Egypt’s logistics sector today? And what sort of policies would you like to see introduced?

AL: It is a promising sector, and there has been room for development. There have been major investments in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and ports. There is also great scope for developing actual efficiency and providing the necessary capabilities for the industrial leap and foreign investments that we desire. Investment in this sector is endless.

As for recommended policies, we can benefit from efforts to accelerate customs clearance procedures, coupled with certain tax adjustments, that will support the transport and logistics sector.

Tags:

Coffee With EgyTrans

LAST NIGHT’S TALK SHOWS

Housing minister on the future of Cairo’s historic center

Housing Minister Sherif El Sherbiny discussed the future of Cairo’s historic center in an interview with El Hekaya’s Amr Adib (watch, runtime: 1:44). He denied reports that the government plans to sell off the area, explaining that authorities are carrying out redevelopment projects aimed at restoring the facades, infrastructure, and public spaces of Downtown Cairo while preserving its historical character in a bid to transform the capital into “an open destination and a fully open-air museum.”

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

REMEMBER- Last month, a government source told us that the government is set to offer five to seven new potential investments in the capital’s historic core to the private sector next year as part of efforts to revive the heart of Cairo and transform it into a commercial and tourist hub.

Tags:

Housing Ministry LAST NIGHT’S TALK SHOWS urban development

Also on our Radar

Egypt’s foreign reserves increase to USD 50.2 bn in November

BANKING-

The country's foreign reserves rose to a record USD 50.2 bn at the end of November, marking an increase of USD 145 mn from October, according to central bank data (pdf). The rise was driven by USD 707 mn increase in gold reserves, which helped offset a USD 118 mn decrease in Special Drawing Rights and a USD 445 mn dip in foreign currency holdings.

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

M&A WATCH-

El Garhy Investment and Development Group ramped up its position in EGX-listed Arab Developers Holding, buying 500 mn shares for EGP 124.1 mn to lift its direct stake to 4.63% from 1.04%, according to an EGX disclosure (pdf). The move brings total related-party holdings to 19.4%. This comes weeks after the developer’s board approved a EGP 1 bn rights issue to raise issued capital to EGP 2.4 bn.

EDUCATION-

The Elsewedy Technical Academy will establish two new technical education centers to expand its technical programs footprint nationwide, Elsewedy Electric CEO Ahmed El Sewedy, said in a statement (pdf). The centers include one in the Suez Canal Economic Zone under a EGP 150 mn partnership with Germany’s KfW Development Bank and another in Tenth of Ramadan in partnership with the National Bank of Egypt.

The academy is also focusing on the hospitality sector, with an EGP 80 mn initiative with the World Sustainability Hospitality Alliance to develop accredited hospitality programs and train over 30k young people across the country for jobs in the industry.

DEBT WATCH-

Concrete Plus secured a EGP 4.3 bn syndicated loan led by Banque Misr to finance construction work at Talaat Moustafa Group’s SouthMed project, according to a statement from the lender. The loan was arranged by a number of banks including QNB Egypt, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Egypt, Alex Bank, and Midbank.

Tags:

ALSO ON OUR RADAR banking Banque Misr Concrete Plus debt Education Elsewedy Electric foreign reserves hospitality

This publication is proudly sponsored by

PLANET FINANCE

AI to drive global growth in 2026 in a robust but risk-exposed environment -Deutsche Bank

AI is set to be the global economy’s core growth engine in 2026, even as geopolitical tensions and political uncertainty continue to weigh on sentiment, according to Deutsche Bank's Capital Markets Outlook (pdf). The bank expects a robust but risk-exposed global environment, with active risk management and diversification across asset classes — such as private equity, infrastructure, and private credit — essential for investors.

(Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background and outside sources.)

AI-linked investment will remain the structural driver next year, anchored by heavy spending in the US and China. AI is a “game changer,” global chief investment officer Christian Nolting said, though he warned of overinvestment risk and energy-supply constraints, alongside rising state intervention through subsidies and export controls.

Diversification across assets in equity markets is likely to pick up, with small and mid-cap stocks potentially becoming more popular as investors eye allocations with lower interest rates, Deutsche Bank said. The bank penciled in continued gains for Big Tech, with other AI-linked sectors like industrials, energy suppliers, and construction — particularly of data centers — also set to catch up.

The bank expects most regions to see double-digit earnings growth, spread across more sectors than usual as diversification picks up, with sectors like pharma and luxury consumption set to see a boost.

It expects the S&P 500 to end next year in the green, up 9.2% from yesterday’s close, while the Eurostoxx 50 is expected to be up 4.8% from the latest close

2026 is also expected to see income from interest prioritized over capital gains, after bond markets returned to a normalized yield regime, with positive real yields in US and EU sovereigns “possible,” Deutsche Bank said.

In commodities, strategic rare earth metals will remain a priority on the back of the AI boom, with competition for access set to intensify. Oil prices are likely to remain low, near USD 60 per barrel on the back of an incoming oversupply, though gold prices may rise on demand from central banks and investors looking to add a safe asset to their portfolio. Deutsche Bank expects gold to reach the USD 4.5k mark by the end of the year.

Downside risks remain, with the bank pointing to an overhang of a possible trade conflict between the US and China with sticking points like semiconductors and rare earth minerals persisting despite partial relief from trade agreements and truces. Any additional tariffs would act as an indirect tax hitting global supply chains, the report said. Other downside risks include inflation and high levels of government debt.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets are mixed this morning, with Japan’s Nikkei and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng in the red, and South Korea’s Kospi and China’s CSI 300 in the green ahead of key export data expected out of China later today. Meanwhile, Wall Street futures are flat following a strong week for all three US indices.

EGX30	41,762	+0.6% (YTD: +40.4%)
USD (CBE)	Buy 47.43	Sell 47.56
USD (CIB)	Buy 47.44	Sell 47.54
Interest rates (CBE)	21.00% deposit	22.00% lending
Tadawul	10,631	+0.1% (YTD: -11.7%)
ADX	9,951	+0.4% (YTD: +5.7%)
DFM	5,984	+0.9% (YTD: +16.0%)
S&P 500	6,870	+0.2% (YTD: +16.8%)
FTSE 100	9,667	-0.5% (YTD: +18.3%)
Euro Stoxx 50	5,724	+0.1% (YTD: +16.9%)
Brent crude	USD 63.73	0.0%
Natural gas (Nymex)	USD 5.12	-3.2%
Gold	USD 4,229	-0.3%
BTC	USD 90,640	+1.5% (YTD: -3.0%)
S&P Egypt Sovereign Bond Index	974.04	+0.1% (YTD: +25.3%)
S&P MENA Bond & Sukuk	151.89	0.0% (YTD: +8.5%)
VIX (Volatility Index)	15.41	-2.3% (YTD: -11.2%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The EGX30 rose 0.6% at yesterday’s close on turnover of EGP 7.0 bn (34.5% above the 90-day average). Local investors were the sole net sellers. The index is up 40.4% YTD.

In the green: Beltone Holding (+6.9%), Palm Hills Developments (+6.4%), and Orascom Construction (+3.8%).

In the red: Misr Cement (-3.4%), ADIB (-2.7%), and GB Corp (-1.0%).

Tags:

AI Deutsche Bank equities Financial Markets Planet Finance

Our weekly deep dive into education in Egypt, from K-12 to post-secondary.

Published every Monday in EnterpriseAM.

Read Blackboard

BLACKBOARD

How is Egypt scaling digital higher education?

Egypt is in the middle of a digital education shift that could redefine how students learn and how universities operate. The country’s higher education sector, which currently has over 3.8 mn students across 105 universities and 206 technical institutes, is gradually embracing online and blended models as part of its Vision 2030 development goals, according to the British Council’s Scaling D igital Higher Education in Egypt report.

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

THE METHODOLOGY- The report draws on 30 interviews with senior policymakers, academics, and higher education practitioners in Egypt and the UK, alongside three student focus groups representing blended, online, and transnational programs. It combines these with desk research and policy analysis to assess Egypt’s digital readiness, adoption patterns, and collaboration potential between local and UK institutions

Digital transformation is becoming a national project: Egypt’s Vision 2030 and ICT Strategy 2030 both place digital transformation at the heart of economic and social development. The ICT sector, now the fastest-growing in the MENA region, contributes 5.8% of Egypt’s GDP. The government has launched major initiatives, including Digital Egypt, the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB), and Digital Egypt Generation (DEG), all of which have expanded access to digital infrastructure and training. The EKB alone has over 4.5 mn users and offers free access to academic content for students and researchers, while DEG and related initiatives have trained over 14k young Egyptians in AI, data science, and cybersecurity. However, there are persistent disparities between urban and rural areas, as well as across institutions.

Universities are digitalizing unevenly: Most public and private universities have adopted digital administration systems such as online admissions, electronic student records, and e-libraries. However, the integration of technology into teaching, assessment, and pedagogy remains limited. While 60% of public universities are considered digitally enabled, only 17% are classified as digitally mature. Implementation depends heavily on leadership and resources.

The pandemic changed perceptions, but not the system: Covid-19 forced universities to experiment with online learning, accelerating the use of digital tools. While many reverted to in-person instruction after the pandemic, the crisis reshaped attitudes, as online and blended learning are now seen as viable — if not yet equal — alternatives. Yet, the shift toward digital-first teaching remains slow, with outdated assessment methods and low digital literacy among faculty and administrators limiting progress.

Online and blended learning are expanding, but are still small in scale: Egypt’s flagship digital institutions, the Egyptian E-Learning University (EELU) and the Arab Open University (AOU), now enroll roughly 17k students combined. EELU, established as a not-for-profit national model, offers blended programs across the country, while AOU partners with the UK’s Open University to deliver internationally accredited degrees. Both have seen strong post-Covid enrollment growth, as demand for flexible learning options rises.

UK partnerships dominate Egypt’s transnational education scene: Egypt has become the largest host of UK transnational education (TNE) in Africa, representing 42% of UK TNE across the continent and 4.4% of UK global TNE — about 31k students in 2023-24. Roughly one-third of UK TNE in Egypt now involves online or blended learning. The most active providers are the Open University, Liverpool John Moores University, University of London, and Heriot-Watt University, often working through local partners such as AOU, Unicaf, and AAST. Nonetheless, affordability, FX instability, and complex tax and accreditation systems limit growth.

Barriers to scaling digital higher education persist: Affordability is a major obstacle. Tuition fees for international online programs often exceed those of local universities, and students face difficulties paying in foreign currency. The report also flags regulatory gaps. While the Higher Education Ministry and the Supreme Council of Universities have shown flexibility for blended programs, fully online degrees still struggle for formal recognition and accreditation. Limited digital infrastructure and bandwidth, especially outside Cairo and Alexandria, further slow expansion.

Students see benefits, but not without trade-offs: Students interviewed said online and blended programs help them transition more easily from education to work by exposing them early to digital platforms and professional tools. They also appreciate the flexibility that allows them to balance studies with work or caregiving. Many cited improvements in digital literacy and early exposure to tools used in the workplace. However, weak internet connectivity, lack of campus life, and doubts about employer recognition remain major drawbacks. One common complaint among online learners is feeling isolated or “digitally overwhelmed” when navigating multiple systems and platforms

A new strategy is needed: The report calls for a national digital higher education strategy to unify ongoing efforts and establish clear standards for online and transnational programs. It recommends streamlining accreditation and recognition procedures, encouraging market-sensitive pricing models to ensure affordability, and promoting co-creation between Egyptian and foreign universities in program design and delivery. It also stresses the need to build comprehensive student support systems — covering academic, digital, and mental wellbeing — to improve the learning experience.

The bottom line: Egypt’s higher education sector is entering a crucial phase in its digital transformation. The infrastructure and ambition are in place, but without stronger policy coordination, institutional investment, and public acceptance, progress will remain fragmented. The report concludes that digital higher education in Egypt is no longer a question of whether or not to go digital, but of how fast and how equitably it can scale up.

Your top education stories for the week:

The Madbouly government is planning to build Egypt’s first integrateduniversity city in the Delta region, set to include a national university, a technological university, foreign university branches, a university hospital, and research and innovation hubs.
Maxim Investment Group plans to invest EGP 6 bn in a new university in the new capital in partnership with a major UK institution and plans to establish a second engineering-focused university in Beni Suef.
A hospitality tech program: Local developer ADD Properties and Austria’s Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management in Salzburg inked a cooperation protocol to launch a three-year technological baccalaureate program in hospitality at applied technology schools in Sixth of October and Hurghada. (Statement)

Tags:

Blackboard digitization Education

CALENDAR

DECEMBER

1-12 December (Monday-Friday): IMF mission for extended fund facility program reviews.

10 December (Wednesday): Capmas to release inflation data for November.

15 December (Monday): Neo Gen PropTech and Sustainable Smart Cities Conference, The St. Regis Hotel New Capital

25 December: (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2H 2025: Potential visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Egypt

4Q 2025: The beginning of construction works on China’s State Grid two solar projects.

4Q 2025: GB Auto starts assembling one of China’s Great Wall Motor models in 4Q 2025.

4Q 2025-1Q 2026: Kasrawy Group to launch first Avatr EV models in Egypt.

2025: The InterAcademy Partnership assembly.

2025: Nile Basin States Summit, Cairo, Egypt.

2025: Release of the government’s Startup Charter document.

Before 2025-end: The government will launch two ro-ro shipping lines with Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

2026

JANUARY

1 January (Thursday): European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to fully come into effect.

7 January (Wednesday): Coptic Christmas.

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

FEBRUARY

10-12 February (Tuesday-Thursday): Gitex Global’s AI Everything Middle East & Africa Summit

19 February (Thursday): First day of Ramadan (TBC).

MARCH

15 March (Sunday): IMF to hold its seventh review of Egypt’s USD 8 bn EFF arrangement.

21 March: (Saturday): Eid El Fitr starts (TBC).

30 March - 1 April (Monday-Wednesday): Egypt International Energy Conference and Exhibition 2026 (EGYPES)

APRIL

12 April (Sunday): Coptic Easter.

25 April (Saturday): Sinai Liberation Day.

MAY

1 May (Friday): Labor Day.

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

May: NEBU Egypt’s Gold & Jewelry Exhibition.

JUNE:

30 June (Tuesday): National holiday in observance of June 30 Revolution (TBC).

JULY

23 July (Thursday): National holiday in observance of Revolution Day (TBC).

AUGUST

26 August (Wednesday): National holiday in observance of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday (TBC).

SEPTEMBER

15 September (Tuesday): IMF to hold its eighth review of Egypt’s USD 8 bn EFF arrangement.

27-29 September (Sunday-Tuesday): Egypt will host the fourth edition of the Global Conference on Population, Health and Human Development.

OCTOBER

6 October (Tuesday): Armed Forces Day.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

Early 2026: Passenger operations on the New Administrative Capital–Nasr City monorail scheduled to begin.

1Q 2026: Trial operations for the Ain Sokhna–Sixth of October section of Egypt’s first high-speed rail line scheduled to begin.

May 2026: End of extension for developers on 15% interest rates for land installment payments

2H 2026: Operations at Deli Glass Co’s new USD 70 mn glassware factory kick off.

2027

20 January-7 February: Egypt to host the African Games.

April 2027: Tenth of Ramadan dry port and logistics hub to begin operations.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2027: Egypt to host EBRD’s annual meetings for 2027.

2027: Egypt-EU Summit 2027

End of 2027: Trial operations at the Dabaa nuclear power plant expected to take place.

September 2028: First unit of the Dabaa nuclear power plant begins operations.

Sections

About

Privacy & Support

Get EnterpriseAM daily