CIT Minister on how AI is shaking up the economy

1

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

Most Egyptian business leaders expect to increase trade with KSA -HSBC

Good morning, friends, and happy Thursday. We wrap up what has been a pretty quiet week with another brisk issue, led by logistics news after sources let us in on the government’s USD 1 bn plan to build bunkering stations across the Suez Canal.

ALSO IN TODAY’S ISSUE- Part two of our interview with CIT Minister Amr Talaat, which dives into AI’s impact on the local economy and Egypt’s place as a digital service export hub.

Our coverage of the EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum 2025 continues. This year’s forum was packed with actionable intelligence on the future of Egyptian business. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, we launched the EnterpriseAM Forum Playback.

Every Thursday at 10am, you’ll receive a special newsletter breaking down one key session — from the future of work to getting capital markets off life support. We’ll also drop a companion podcast in our EnterpriseAM Egypt feed so you can listen on the go.

In today’s issue: We revisit our on-stage conversation on whether Egypt’s capital markets can turn a fragile rebound into lasting growth, with EFG Hermes’ global head of investment banking Moustafa Gad, CI Capital sell-side CEO Amr Helal, and BCG Cairo managing director and partner Bassem Fayek.

Want more? We’re soft launching our YouTube channel where we’ve dropped video highlights.

PSA-

Stranger Things fans assemble: Whether you want to watch yourself or you’re forced to by your spawn: It’s Stranger Things day. The first four episodes of what its producers are calling Volume 1 of the final season dropped on Netflix earlier this morning. Three more (Volume 2) drop on 25 December, and the finale will stream on 31 December. Each episode will be well north of an hour long.

WEATHER- It’s another cool day in Cairo, with a high of 25°C and a low of 15°C, according to our favorite weather app.

It’s a few degrees cooler in Alexandria, with a high of 24°C and a low of 13°C.

THE LONG GAME-

All roads lead to Riyadh? Nearly 90% of Egyptian business leaders expect to “significantly increase” their trade with KSA over the next five years, according to data from HSBC’s New Networks of Capital: Saudi Arabia report seen by EnterpriseAM. Egyptian businesses’ keenness to do business with the Kingdom placed Egypt among the most KSA-curious markets of the eight markets surveyed.

Over two fifths of Egyptian businesses signalled technology as the sector with the biggest growth potential, just ahead of energy and renewables, which was identified by some 35% of respondents.

But entering the market is not without its concerns — chief among which are foreign ownership restrictions and market competition, which both ranked as the joint two top concerns with a collective 62% of votes cast.

Looking ahead, investment relations between the two countries are entering a new phase, thinks HSBC Egypt CEO Todd Wilcox. “The recent Saudi-Egyptian Investment and Promotion Agreement marks a critical milestone, offering investors from both countries enhanced legal safeguards, improved capital mobility and greater certainty as they expand their footprints,” he explained.

DATA POINT-

Total financing provided by entities regulated by the Financial Regulatory Authority reached EGP 954.2 bn in the first nine months of 2025, according to a statement from the authority. Equity issuances led with EGP 497.5 bn, followed by leasing contracts with EGP 122.2 bn, and discounted securities with EGP 91.9 bn.

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.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

Two tragedies are dominating front pages this morning, a residential mega-fire in Hong Kong and a shooting near the White House.

Hong Kong’s worst residential fire in decades killed 44 and left hundreds more missing. Efforts are ongoing to stop the blaze, and the police arrested three people from a construction company that was carrying out maintenance work on the building. (Reuters | CNN | Financial Times)

MEANWHILE- Washington, DC is on high alert, after a gunman shot and critically wounded two National Guard members, a few blocks from the White House. The shooting — a day before Thanksgiving — sent shockwaves through the US, with more National Guard units deployed to the capital. The suspect is said to be an Afghan man who came to the country fleeing Taliban rule in 2021. (NYTimes | Washington Post)

ALSO WORTH READING-

Apple’s iPhone shipments could beat Samsung this year for the first time in 14 years. (CNBC)
Army officers announced a coup in Guinea-Bissau, a day before presidential election results were due out. (Reuters)

ATP tennis returns to Egypt after 15 years: Somabay to host the Somabay Open – ATP Challenger 50 With the Somabay Open – ATP Challenger 50, Somabay once again steps into the spotlight of international tennis. From 17 to 23 November 2025, professional players from around the world will gather on Egypt’s Red Sea coast for a tournament that marks the next milestone in the destination’s sporting evolution.

CIT Minister Amr Talaat on how AI is shaking up the economy and Egypt’s place as a digital service export hub

Coffee with: CIT Minister Amr Talaat: In this second part of our conversation with CIT Minister Dr. Amr Talaat (LinkedIn), Talaat spoke to EnterpriseAM about how our professional lives will be changed by AI, the localization push in the manufacturing sector, and the country’s huge potential to become a digital services export hub. Below are edited excerpts from part two of our interview:

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

ICYMI- In part one of our conversation with Talaat we discussed the strategy that has reshaped the sector, ongoing plans to develop internet and mobile network infrastructure, expansion of submarine cable capacities, and the future of the outsourcing industry. Check it out here.

Amr Talaat: The second edition of Egypt’s National AI Strategy was launched earlier this year. It focuses on six main pillars, including making computing resources accessible to startups and expanding AI use through the ministry’s Applied Innovation Center to drive development across sectors. For example, the center developed a speech-to-text application with an accuracy rate exceeding 96%, which is now used in the justice sector, as well as an application for early detection of common diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, breast cancer, and glaucoma.

EnterpriseAM: There’s often talk that AI will replace humans and destroy jobs. What’s your view?

AT: Every global company tells us that AI empowers humans, not replaces them. This topic has dominated discussions everywhere. At the Arab CIT Ministers Council, we started this conversation back in 2019. Some traditional jobs will disappear, and others will emerge, but the idea of AI completely taking over is exaggerated.

At the same time, it’s wrong to think AI won’t impact jobs at all. In my view, the need for humans will expand alongside AI. For example, companies like Concentrix started with 28k employees and have now grown to 40k — adding more jobs, despite the rise of chatbots and generative AI.

EnterpriseAM: How did the CIT Ministry attract companies through the national mobile manufacturing program?

AT: This point is crucial. Last year, 3.3 mn mobile devices were manufactured in Egypt. This year, we expect to close at around 10 mn devices across 15 brands — covering 81% of local market needs. The factories’ combined capacity stands at 20 mn devices, exceeding domestic demand, which means strong export potential. Some manufacturers have already received export offers under the Agadir Agreement to Morocco and Tunisia.

Negotiations are currently underway with several major Chinese mobile phone manufacturers to set up operations in Egypt early next year, while current investments in the sector stand at around USD 263 mn. The investment will create some 9k jobs, including a new model from one of the leading global phone brands to be manufactured locally. The ICT sector has become a key growth driver, rising from 3.2% of GDP in 2018 to 6% last year, with annual growth rates between 14% and 16%.

EnterpriseAM: What about investment in fiber optics?

AT: We see huge potential here. There are four global brands operating locally with a total capacity of 4 mn km, while local demand is about 2.5 mn km. This means there’s room for exports, especially since fiber’s heavy weight and high shipping costs make Egypt a competitive location for manufacturing and exporting. We’re currently in talks with Chinese firms to shift production from China to Egypt to serve Europe and the US, particularly with Egypt’s freetrade agreement with the EU.

EnterpriseAM: Local content is key to industrial localization. What’s the current share?

AT: The local component ratio currently stands at 42%. We’re in talks with international component manufacturers to set up shop in Egypt. Alongside plans to raise production to 10-15 mn phones annually, we’re targeting a local component share of 60-65%.

EnterpriseAM: Egypt has become a major destination for outsourcing and offshoring. What makes Egypt attractive to foreign firms?

AT: Recently, global companies have started to recognize Egypt’s potential. The sector has transformed from a purely service-based model to a production- and investment-oriented one focused on digital exports. We’re attracting global firms to establish outsourcing centers, thanks to Egypt’s stability, digital infrastructure, and, most importantly, its talent.

EnterpriseAM: What’s the current value of Egypt’s digital exports?

AT: Digital exports reached USD 7.4 bn by the end of the last fiscal year, excluding freelancers whose contributions we’re now surveying. Of that, USD 4.8 bn came from outsourcing services. Egypt now ranks among the world’s top three destinations for outsourcing, attracting firms from India, Europe, and the Gulf.

EnterpriseAM: Are there new incentives for investors in the sector?

AT: The biggest advantage right now is our skilled workforce. We’ve launched multiple training initiatives. Many global companies struggle with labor shortages amid rapid tech shifts, but Egypt offers a young, trained population. That’s why even leading countries in outsourcing like India and Vietnam see Egypt as a reliable supplier of global talent, as it offers both cost efficiency and project stability.

EnterpriseAM: The government says it has included data centers in the privatization program. What does it mean by this?

AT: We’re opening potential investments for the private sector to establish large-scale data centers, while maintaining full confidentiality and security of citizens’ data.

EnterpriseAM: Are there further incentives?

AT: We’ve introduced a list of investment incentives, shortened the time needed to launch operations, and assigned an ITIDA representative to each foreign company to expedite procedures. We also have specialized tech zones, such as the one in Beni Suef.

EnterpriseAM: What about youth training?

AT: We have a training program for employment that supplies trained youth to foreign companies, which then hire them directly. This program has attracted firms to expand their operations in Egypt after a few months of pilot runs. We also launched initiatives like Digital Egypt Pioneers and Digital Egypt Cubs, and this summer we introduced the Digitopia competition. The contest targeted youth aged 10-35 in three tracks — AI and programming, digital arts, and cybersecurity — drawing 25k participants who formed 7k teams. Winners in each category will receive EGP 1 mn, with results to be announced by the end of this month. We also introduced a fast-track hosting program that allows foreign companies to test operations in Egypt with local partners before committing to full investment, and many have gone on to establish permanent operations.

EnterpriseAM: Do foreign companies get tax exemptions?

AT: Companies don’t ask for exemptions because demand is high and cost structures differ. What they need most is tax stability and transparency to ensure the viability of their projects.

EnterpriseAM: It’s been said that workers and trainees in the sector earn salaries in USD. Is that true?

AT: Many salaries are paid in USD and linked to specialization, performance, and output. One professional can export services worth USD 25k-120k annually, and their pay reflects that productivity.

EnterpriseAM: Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important. How is Egypt addressing this?

AT: Cybersecurity requires both awareness and strong governance. Public awareness is crucial; it’s society’s responsibility, not just the government’s. We must protect our digital assets like we protect our physical ones, especially personal data. Governance and legislation are also important. We have a data protection law, a Data Protection Center, and ongoing discussions with major public and private firms that handle large amounts of personal data to ensure compliance with proper data storage, transfer, and disclosure rules.

EnterpriseAM: The restructuring of Egypt Post has been mentioned as an investment prospect. What’s the plan?

AT: We’re restructuring Egypt Post to capitalize on its major assets, particularly public trust and accessibility. We’ve launched several tech-aligned services and plan to roll out digital post boxes in commercial centers.

The postal service now also provides financial services such as microloans and consumer finance by hosting licensed lenders. We have also recently launched the Felousy app through Post for Investment, allowing citizens to explore and invest in funds easily. The key strength of the postal service remains public trust, coupled with continuous efforts to identify safe, high-yield investment options.

Egypt readies USD 1 bn Suez Canal bunkering stations project

Egypt is gearing up for the return of ships to the Suez Canal with a USD 1 bn plan to build bunkering stations, two government sources told EnterpriseAM. The plan includes fixed stations along the canal, in addition to floating bunkering barges capable of refueling Suezmax vessels — the largest of vessels that can still make the transit — each of which will be developed in partnership with the private sector, 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.)

But this is just phase one of a wider USD 2 bn project to bring back major shipping lines through to the canal — essentially shifting the canal from serving as a toll road to a service station pit stop. Alongside the additional bunkering stations, the plan will include providing new maintenance services, logistics services, and services to transiting crews.

Helping push vessels to refuel in Egypt will require a competitive price point, with a government committee currently in talks with interested companies on the matter to see how they can provide a more attractive price than other refueling points on the global trade map.

ICYMI- The Oil Ministry and the Suez Canal Authority signed an MoU to develop a liquefied natural gas station in Port Said earlier this week. The station will liquefy, store, and supply LNG to canal tugboats and ferries, replacing conventional fuels.

In numbers: With some 36.8% of vessels currently on order being LNG-ready, the demand for LNG bunkering could hit as much as 50 mn tons of oil equivalent by 2030, according to DNV’s Maritime Forecast to 2050.

Trust: the digital currency

In Egypt, trust in payments is a cornerstone of commerce growth. While cash-on-delivery (COD) remains common, digital payments are steadily gaining traction. Visa’s recent Stay Secure study underscores the importance of security: 76% of surveyed consumers in Egypt say they trust digital payments. Yet this trust is not absolute; 66% admit that a single incident of fraud or unauthorized transactions would erode their confidence.

Today’s consumers demand a secure and frictionless experience, where confidence and convenience go hand in hand. Visa’s Stay Secure campaign positions security as a shared responsibility, with Visa and local partners working together to strengthen the national security baseline. Embedding resilience and trust into every transaction will help unlock the full potential of a secure, inclusive digital economy.

Horizon Egypt to set up EGP 42 bn hospitality project in New Cairo

New Cairo is getting a new EGP 42 bn hospitality project: Emirati-led developer Horizon Egypt Developments will set up a EGP 42 bn hospitality project in New Cairo after signing the EGP 15 bn land allocation agreement with the New and Urban Communities Authority (NUCA), the Housing Ministry said in a statement.

(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 28-feddan plot will house a premium mixed-use hospitality and commercial complex, according to the statement, which didn’t disclose any further details.

NUCA expects the development to bolster New Cairo’s role as an attractive destination for investors, supporting job creation and sustained development activity. Horizon Egypt Chair and head of Ajman Ruler’s Emiri Court Sheikh Majid Al Nuaimi said that the city’s strong economic fundamentals and modern planning make it an attractive destination for premium tourism and service-led developments.

REMEMBER- The company launched its first project in 2023 — the EGP 36 bn Saada New Cairo development.

IN OTHER REAL ESTATE NEWS-

Palmier Developments has launched the new EGP 3.5 bn residential compound Vert in New Zayed in partnership with Al Ahly Sabbour’s Melee, Chairman Mohamed Alhaj told Zawya. The project will include 213 villas and is expected to generate EGP 5 bn in revenue.

China’s Winpex to set up USD 15 mn plant in Sokhna

INVESTMENT WATCH-

China’s Winpex will set up a USD 15 mn factory for the production of solar lights, LED lights, and electronics under an agreement with industrial developer Main Development Company (MDC), according to a statement from the Suez Canal Economic Zone. The project, which will be hosted on MDC’s site near the Sokhna Port, is slated to create 500 direct jobs and will export the entirety of its production.

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

EXPANSION-

Elsewedy Electric Saudi Arabia inaugurated a new USD 40 mn factory in Riyadh, which will produce low, medium, and high voltage cable accessories and polymer-reinforced fiberglass poles, according to a disclosure (pdf) to the EGX. The facility is the first locally accredited supplier of medium-voltage cable accessories to the Saudi Electricity Company and Elsewedy’s third plant in the Kingdom.

The group’s total investments in Saudi Arabia now exceed USD 250 mn, with additional projects under study — in power transformers, EV chargers, and water meters — valued at USD 150 mn.

LABOR-

Gov’t aims to unify regulations for foreign workers’ permits: The Labor Ministry signed a cooperation agreement with the Egyptian Tourism Federation to create a unified framework for regulating foreign workers’ permits across tourism establishments, according to a ministry statement. The agreement aims to balance the use of local and foreign labor, unify permit procedures, and move toward full digitalization through a joint online platform. A joint committee will oversee implementation, develop technical standards, and issue regular progress reports.

DIPLOMACY-

Egypt and Algeria signed a broad package of cooperation agreements yesterday following the ninth session of the Egypt-Algeria Joint High Committee in Cairo, according to a statement. The agreements covered housing and urban development, agriculture research, local development, and energy transition and renewables.

STARTUP WATCH-

Government-backed venture capital firm Egypt Ventures exited local semiconductor startup InfiniLink, following its acquisition by US chipmaker GlobalFoundries, yielding a 400% return on investment, according to a statement. “Egypt has world-class semiconductor talent but remains undercapitalized. We believe this success will catalyze further investment and unlock new opportunities for deep-tech founders working on transformative and high-impact technologies,” Egypt Ventures CEO Abdelrahman Mansour said.

DEBT WATCH-

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Company is in negotiations for a USD 400 mn loan to fund its USD 530 mn sustainable aviation fuel project, Asharq Business reports, citing unnamed government officials. The Oil Ministry-owned company is in discussions with local and international lenders, including the National Bank of Egypt, Banque Misr, CIB, Afreximbank, and the EBRD, according to the outlet’s sources.

JPMorgan sees oil prices dipping as low as USD 30 per barrel in 2027

Oil prices could crash over the coming couple of years: Global oil markets are entering a phase of oversupply, particularly as production from non‑OPEC producers continues to rise, while demand growth remains sluggish, JPMorgan analyst Natasha Kaneva wrote. Brent crude could average USD 57 per barrel in 2027 and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) could average USD 53. If oversupply persists, prices face further downside risk.

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

Non‑OPEC+ producers, led by the US, Brazil, Canada, and Guyana, are expected to drive robust growth that outpaces demand, according to outlooks from the International Energy Agency and the Energy Information Administration. Global consumption remains sluggish due to increased efficiency, the rise of EVs, and weaker macroeconomic conditions.

If a more bearish scenario plays out, oil could fall into the USD 30s by 2027, Kaneva wrote.

Things are likely to play out somewhere in the middle: “The magnitude suggested by market imbalances is unlikely to fully materialize in practice. Adjustments are expected on both the supply and demand sides; however, the greatest burden of rebalancing will almost certainly fall on supply,” she wrote.

IN CONTEXT- Brent crude sat at around USD 63.13 per barrel yesterday, rising 1% from one-month lows following Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

For major producers like Saudi Arabia, higher oil prices are critical to fiscal stability and economic planning as a 1 mn bbl / d increase in output could improve the Kingdom’s fiscal and current-account balances by about 2.3% to 2.7% GDP, Bloomberg noted. Saudi Arabia’s fiscal break‑even oil price is estimated at USD 94 a barrel, rising to USD 111 once domestic spending by the Public Investment Fund is accounted for.

For the UAE, higher oil output will drive a growth in the sector to 5.8% next year, up from 4.9% this year, according to Fitch Solutions’ research unit BMI. “Against this backdrop, narrower net exports deficit and stronger fixed investment will be the main drivers of the growth acceleration in 2026,” BMI wrote. The looming oil glut, however, could drag prices down, forcing OPEC+ to halt output increases while weaker global growth could curb non‑oil activity.

Lower prices could be good for Egypt: Lower global oil prices will benefit Egypt’s external balances given its position as a net importer in recent months, EFG Hermes’ Head of Research Ahmed Shams El Din told us earlier this year.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets are up in early trading this morning driven by growing expectations of rate cuts in the US. Japan’s Nikkei is up 1.3% and the Kospi is up 1.2%, while the Shanghai Composite and Hang Seng are looking at more modest gains.

EGX30	39,537	-0.9% (YTD: +32.9%)
USD (CBE)	Buy 47.64	Sell 47.78
USD (CIB)	Buy 47.67	Sell 47.77
Interest rates (CBE)	21.00% deposit	22.00% lending
Tadawul	10,635	-0.5% (YTD: -11.6%)
ADX	9,736	-0.3% (YTD: +3.4%)
DFM	5,809	-0.3% (YTD: +12.6%)
S&P 500	6,813	+0.7% (YTD: +15.8%)
FTSE 100	9,692	+0.9% (YTD: +18.6%)
Euro Stoxx 50	5,656	+1.5% (YTD: +15.5%)
Brent crude	USD 63.13	+1.0%
Natural gas (Nymex)	USD 4.61	+1.2%
Gold	USD 4,184	-0.4%
BTC	USD 90,553	+3.6% (YTD: -3.4%)
S&P Egypt Sovereign Bond Index	969.77	0.0% (YTD: +24.7%)
S&P MENA Bond & Sukuk	152.38	+0.1% (YTD: +8.9%)
VIX (Volatility Index)	17.19	-7.4% (YTD: -0.9%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The EGX30 fell 0.9% at yesterday’s close on turnover of EGP 5.7 bn (14.4% above the 90-day average). Local investors were the sole net buyers. The index is up 32.9% YTD.

In the green: Orascom Construction (+1.3%), Credit Agricole (+1.0%), and Telecom Egypt (+0.7%).

In the red: Misr Cement (-7.6%), Orascom Development (-3.2%), and E-finance (-2.9%).

My Morning Routine: Nermine Tahoun, founder and managing partner at Tahoun Law Firm

Nermine Tahoun, founder and managing partner at Tahoun Law Firm: 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 Nermine Tahoun, founder and managing partner at Tahoun Law Firm (LinkedIn). Edited excerpts from our conversation:

My name is Nermine Tahoun. I’m a corporate lawyer specialized in helping, advising, and providing services to investors in Egypt — and at times throughout the MENA region. I specialize in public-private partnerships and concessions. I’ve been working as a corporate lawyer for 25 years, and I’ve been handling the management of Tahoun Law Firm since 2010. Prior to that, I worked at the Shalakany Law Office, DLA Piper, and I was the head of the legal department at the Finance Ministry — which helped me build an understanding of governmental inner workings and how to navigate public-private partnerships.

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

I graduated from the Faculty of Law’s English section at Cairo University. In fact, I was among its very first graduates. I then got my master’s degree from the College of Law of England and Wales and my doctorate from Middlesex University. I’ve been working in the Egyptian market for 25 years now, and I’ve provided services in other markets, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. When the investors I’m working with want to move around, I move around with them.

As a lawyer, my main responsibility is towards my clients. Whatever services they require, I provide — and sometimes they’re very, very urgent. These services, for example, pertain to licensing, contracts, documentation drafting and revisions, and public- and private-sector negotiations. Given the nature of my job, I have to be very familiar with all sorts of different businesses and sectors in which my clients operate, their inner workings, and how they operate in the market.

When I started Tahoun Law Firm in late 2009, I was just leaving my position at the Finance Ministry. I was eager to throw myself back into the market. Tahoun exists to help investors operate in Egypt and navigate between the private sector and the government in a manner that is both smooth and stable. Making investors feel secure is a very challenging undertaking, as they’re often faced with very stubborn and old-fashioned procedures. At the end of the day, for me, it’s all about making sure both the investor and the government are content — I would say I’ve succeeded in doing this.

Technology is changing how we practice law. It’s not an easy thing to absorb when you hear someone telling you that tech or AI can replace you at some point in time. For me, however, I’m flexible. We have recently launched our app, Tahoun Smart, through which certain procedures are made accessible. I’ve had the certification for it from the CIT Ministry for quite some time now, since 2017 actually. Marketing is still a work in progress, but I do believe that this will be the coming trend in law — basic procedures will be made easy through technology. No hassle, no back and forth, and lower costs. Naturally, everything would be supervised by actual lawyers to ensure concrete advice.

When it comes to my morning routine, it’s quite simple, really. The first thing I do is follow up on the news, particularly CNN, then I have my breakfast and coffee. My mornings are usually spent with my dogs — I have a lot of dogs; I take them on walks, and we play around in the garden for a while. Then I go back home, get dressed, and get ready for the work day ahead of me.

The average workday is filled with meetings with other lawyers and clients, drafting contracts, and solving problems. I start work at 10am and finish at 7pm. A constant in my day, however, is always arguing with other lawyers. It’s in our nature, you know, to debate like hell. When it comes to staying focused throughout the day, it’s a whole lot of ups and downs. I’m a completely different person at work, and I wear a very different hat — that of my clients’ and investors’. Putting myself in every client and investor’s shoes is how I get myself to focus. What would they like? How would they want their problems solved? These are the questions I ask myself every day.

To put it plainly, I’m not that good at the whole work-life balance thing. When it comes to my private life, I enjoy the calm and the quiet. This can look like spending time with my pets, reading a book, seeing a movie — a great movie, the bar is high — writing, and keeping myself informed, especially when it comes to political and economic news, whether here, in Europe, or over in the US. It’s important to stay updated with everything that’s new — ideas, inventions, and politics. I’m not as outgoing as I used to be, and I keep a tight circle of friends that I catch up with every now and then.

One podcast I’d like to recommend is Elhal Eh? The host does an incredible job of discussing public policy and other timely matters with political and economic experts. While there’s no book in particular I’d like to recommend, I’d say reading about psychology is incredibly important. When it comes to movies, I love films with social messages, such as Pretty Woman and Bridget Jones’s Diary.

It all leads back to wanting to live a calm life. No unnecessary complications, no ups and downs, just peaceful living in the company of my dogs. As far as professional aspirations are concerned, though, I’m working on expanding Tahoun’s market share and visibility. I’d also like to pursue writing, but I haven’t figured that out just yet.

A piece of advice that has long stuck with me is “The more you give your work, the more it gives back.” It was one of my professors at law school who told me this, and I truly believe that it’s the most solid advice I’ve ever received. In practice, I can confidently say that it’s very true.

CALENDAR

NOVEMBER

November: Egypt to join the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program.

November: The Conference on Early Recovery, Reconstruction, and Development in Gaza.

DECEMBER

1 December (Monday): The Egypt Business Solutions Summit, InterContinental City Stars Cairo.

1-4 December (Monday-Thursday): Egypt Defence Expo, Egypt International Exhibition Center.

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

4-7 December (Thursday-Sunday): Egy Stitch & Tex Expo 2025, Cairo International Conference Center.

6 December (Saturday): International Procurement Supply Chain Conference, Cairo, Egypt.

8 December (Monday): Egypt-UK Investment Conference, Cairo.

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).

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