Debt repayments to jump 30% next fiscal year

Monday, 28 Apr 2025

Debt repayments to jump 30% next fiscal year

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DEBT WATCH

Debt repayment obligations to rise c. 30% to EGP 2.1 tn next fiscal year.

Trade

Egypt ranked among six Arab nations facing “significant” impact from Trump tariffs.

Manufacturing

Massoud Steel to build EGP 965 mn metal packaging plant in Ain Sokhna.

LAST NIGHT’S TALK SHOWS

Trump’s demand that US ships pass Suez Canal without charge sparked condemnation across the airwaves.

Also on our Radar

United Foundries Company eyes USD 10 mn foundry to more than double output.

Planet Finance

Why “silver” economies aren’t necessarily bad for growth.

BLACKBOARD

What does the government have planned for education spending and investment in FY 2025-26?

What We're Tracking Today

Electricity market liberalization target pushed to 2026?

Good morning, friends. Tariffs and mounting debt obligations are once again leading the local business news cycle this morning. In today’s issue, we’ve got news that debt repayment obligations are set to increase 30% in the next fiscal year, a look into how exposed we are to Trump’s tariffs, movement on the state’s long-held plan to liberalize the electricity market, and more.

PSA-

WEATHER- It’s another warm day ahead in the capital today, with a high of 28°C and a low of 18°C, according to our favorite weather app.

It’s a few notches cooler for our friends on the Mediterranean, with a high of 23°C and a low of 15°C.

** DID YOU KNOW that we now 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.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

The state is working to liberalize the country’s electricity market by 2026, along with restructuring the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) and its separation from the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC), a government source told EnterpriseAM.

We could hear some developments about the many times delayed EETC-EEHC split soon, with the EEHC subsidiary’s general assembly set to hold a meeting today chaired by Electricity Minister Mahmoud Esmat to discuss and vote on its restructuring, its separation from its parent company, and to choose a consultant for the restructuring, our source told us.

Liberalizing the country’s electricity market has been on the government’s agenda since at least the 2015 Electricity Act, which gave the state’s electricity companies eight years to complete the transition to market regulators by 2023 and proposed separating power generation from transmission and distribution to boost private sector participation. This was extended another two years to 2025 back in 2020 — and now appears to be working toward a 2026 deadline instead.

FROM THE DEBT MARKETS-

Investors asked for yields up 3 and 5 percentage points on previous auctions for 6- and 12-month t-bills yesterday, despite the Central Bank of Egypt’s recent 225 bps interest rate cut, according to data from the lender’s website. Some bids offered yields of up to 30.0% for the two offerings, pushing the bank to sell just EGP 53.3 bn worth of bills at , falling short of its EGP 75.0 bn target.

A government source told EnterpriseAM that the sharp yields reflect ongoing geopolitical tensions, despite an uptick in foreign investment inflows into Egypt’s debt instruments following the rate cut. Yields could continue to show volatility in the coming period, the source added.

AND IN OTHER DEBT NEWS- The central bank will issue USD 950 mn in one-year treasury bills today to refinance an outstanding debt of the same amount.

HAPPENING TODAY-

A Federation of Egyptian Industries delegation is in Riyadh to talk investment in the Kingdom during a three-day business forum that wraps tomorrow, Al Mal reports. The delegation’s 38 members include representatives from the country’s engineering, metals, food, chemicals, pharma, construction materials, ready-made garments, leather tanning, textiles, wood, furniture, and IT industries.

HAPPENING TOMORROW-

Calling all exporters, Expolink’s Exporters Day will kick offtomorrow under the theme Made in Egypt: From Local to Global. Investment Minister Hassan El Khatib — who also overlooks foreign trade in his ministerial portfolio — will be joining the event to discuss the country’s investment and trade landscape with leading figures in the private sector’s trade-orientated industries and more.

Missed this week’s Inside Industry? In our weekly vertical exploring all things industry and manufacturing, we looked at how Egypt’s orange sector is shifting its export focus from fresh produce to processed products. Check out the story here.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

#1- A Moroccan trade delegation representing 20 companies will be in town between 3-5 May to promote Moroccan-made goods, according to a statement from the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises. The mission will also take part in the Moroccan-Egyptian Business Forum, which will focus on connecting Egyptian importers and Moroccan exporters.

The visit follows a recent flare-up in trade tensions that spurred on efforts to rebalance the lopsided trade relationship between the two countries in favor of Egypt. Tensions reached a boiling point after Morocco introduced restrictions in February that held up some 150 containers of Egyptian goods in Moroccan ports. Investment Minister Hassan El Khatib was soon dispatched to Rabat and agreed with his Moroccan counterpart to establish a “direct line of communication” to address any trade issues that arise, the fast-tracking of Moroccan exports into Egypt, and increasing efforts to promote Egyptian imports of Moroccan-made goods — especially for automobiles.

Egyptian exports to Morocco reached some USD 1 bn last year, while Egypt imported less than USD 50 mn worth of goods from Morocco, according to data from the state statistics agency Capmas seen by EnterpriseAM. Morocco is keen to up its exports to Egypt — and fast — with a target to grow its exports to Egypt to USD 500 mn by next year, Moroccan Confederation of Exporters head Hassan Sentissi told Asharq Business earlier this month.

#2- Sharm El Sheikh will host the Airports Council International’s World Annual General Assembly in 2027 after the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation signed a formal hosting agreement with the organization, state-run news agency Maspero reports. The assembly’s organizers bill the annual event as the “most important global gathering of airport leaders.”

DATA POINT-

Total financing by Financial Regulatory Authority-regulated NBFls hit EGP 118.5 bn in February, the authority said in a statement (pdf). Of the total amount, share issuances accounted for EGP 49.6 bn, issuances of non-equity securities came in at EGP 32.6 bn, financial leasing contracts hit EGP 11.1 bn, factoring recorded EGP 7.9 bn, MSME financing reached EGP 8.1 bn, consumer finance handed out EGP 6.4 bn, and mortgages stood at EGP 2.8 bn.

Check out our full calendar on the web for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events, national holidays and news triggers.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

It’s a quiet day in the global business press, as is typical of Monday mornings — but the foreign press is filled with news of attacks in different corners of the world.

In Vancouver, a car drove into a crowd celebrating Lapu Lapu day, a Filipino festival, at a neighborhood street party, killing 11 people and injuring several others. (Reuters | Guardian | FT)

Meanwhile, Israel launched an airstrike in a southern suburb of Beirut, jeopardizing a ceasefire that has held since November after claiming it was targeting an area that is a stronghold for Hezbollah, where Israeli officials said they were storing precision missiles. No casualties were reported. (Guardian | New York Times | AP)

Over in Iran, the blast at the country’s biggest port, Bandar Abbas, has so far killed 40 people, while more than 1.2k people are injured. Iran’s Defense Ministry has denied international media reports claiming that the blast could be linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used for missiles, though most reports say chemicals at the port were the suspected cause of the explosion. (Reuters)

*** 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 take a look at the government’s plans for education spending and investment for the next fiscal year.

Tags:

electricity privatization watch WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

Somabay; every reason to fall in love.

DEBT WATCH

Egypt’s debt repayment obligations to rise c. 30% to EGP 2.1 tn next fiscal year

Egypt’s total local and foreign debt repayment obligations are projected to jump around 30% to EGP 2.1 tn in the next fiscal year, up from an estimated EGP 1.6 tn for FY 2024-2025, according to a government document seen by EnterpriseAM.

The breakdown: The total repayment obligations include the amortization of non-equity securities worth EGP 768 bn, in addition to domestic loan repayments totaling EGP 832 bn. Meanwhile, foreign debt repayment is expected to decline to EGP 483 bn in FY 2025-26 from EGP 628 bn in the current fiscal year.

Lower foreign debt is part of a new debt strategy that is currently in the final review phase, a government source told EnterpriseAM. The strategy will focus on easing the country’s debt burden by significantly reducing reliance on external borrowing, diversifying the debt instruments issued, and offering longer maturities. The government plans to extend the average maturity of public debt to 4.5-5 years, compared to 1.8 years currently, the source said.

REMEMBER- The government aims to bring down the debt-to-GDP ratio to 80% by the end of June 2026 and to lower external debt by USD 1-2 bn annually.

The Finance Ministry also intends to issue new local debt instruments worth EGP 1.5 tn in the upcoming fiscal year, up 19.4% from EGP 1.2 tn in the current fiscal year, as part of the government's plan to raise spending on social welfare and narrow the budget deficit.

ICYMI- The government expects to issue nearly USD 4 bn in foreign debt during the next fiscal year under a USD 8 bn international debt issuance program.

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Trade

Egypt ranked among six Arab nations facing “significant” impact from Trump tariffs

Egypt is among six Arab countries set to face a “significant” impact from Trump’s tariff regime, assuming the tariff measures are fully implemented, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) said in a policy brief (pdf). A significant impact is defined as at least 5% of a country’s global exports going to the US. Alongside Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Tunisia, and Morocco are expected to be sharply hit, with Jordan being the most exposed with nearly 25% of its exports going to the US.

Despite this, Egypt and its fellow Agadir Agreement nations — Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan — are expected to witness only a moderate 0.3% y-o-y drop in global exports in 2025 despite increased barriers to the US market. Exports across the Arab region as a whole are forecast to fare a little better, remaining essentially flat at -0.01%, propped up by an expected 0.1% uptick in exports from the GCC.

But, US imports to Agadir Agreement nations are expected to drop 24.7% y-o-y in 2025 on the back of higher costs. Stepping in to take the place of the US is an expected uptick in imports from the EU and China, with the four Agadir Agreement nations forecasted to see an 8.0% increase in Chinese imports and a 3.1% uptick in EU imports. ESCWA also notes that intra-Arab trade, particularly among Agadir Agreement countries, could see a relative boost.

But the danger could come from indirect global spillovers, with the ESCWA warning that Arab economies could face indirect headwinds from the tariffs as global demand slows, particularly from key markets like the European Union and China. The EU absorbs 17% of Arab exports, while China accounts for 15%, including 22% of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries’ oil and chemicals.

Zooming out, exports from the Arab world to the US have already been falling for some time, falling from USD 91 bn in 2013 to USD 48 bn in 2023 on the back of falling US crude imports as it focussed on upping domestic energy production. The US has also held a trade surplus with the region since 2015, which clocked in at USD 20 bn in 2024. This has been partially offset by Arab non-oil exports to the US rising from USD 14 bn in 2013 to USD 22 bn in 2024, but it is these types of exports that now found themselves most in the crosshairs of Trump’s tariff regime.

But there’s no need to let a good crisis go to waste. While exports are expected to dip, ESCWA suggests that Egypt could leverage its improved price competitiveness to capture a greater share of the US market, particularly in goods less affected by the highest tariff bands.

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China economy trade

Manufacturing

Massoud Steel to build EGP 965 mn metal packaging plant in Egypt’s Ain Sokhna

Local manufacturer Massoud Steel signed a contract to build a EGP 965 mn metal packaging factory in the Sokhna Industrial Zone, according to a statement from the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone). The project is expected to create around 130 direct jobs and kick off operations in 1Q 2026.

The project is the first dedicated metal packaging and tinplate printing project within the SCZone. After initially focusing on the local market needs, the project will begin ramping up exports over time, which SCZone head Walid Gamal El Din said will be helped by the zone’s exemptions, support program, and infrastructure for exports.

DATA POINT- The SCZone signed USD 8.3 bn worth of actual investment contracts across 272 projects between July 2022 and March 2025, Walid El Din said in a separate statement. The projects — including 262 industrial, services, and logistics developments and 10 port projects — are expected to create over 40k jobs.

Tags:

investment watch Manufacturing Suez Canal Economic Zone

LAST NIGHT’S TALK SHOWS

Trump’s demand that US ships pass Egypt’s Suez Canal without charge sparked condemnation across the airwaves

To say that Trump’s recent statement on the Suez Canal was received badly on the airwaves would be an understatement. American President Donald Trump’s demand that American military and commercial vessels pass the Suez Canal and Panama canal “free of charge” sparked outrage, condemnation, and even mockery across the channels last night.

The Suez Canal “is a national symbol that is not up for negotiation,” retired army general and strategic affairs expert Wael Rabie told Al Sa’aa Al Sadesa’s Azza Mostafa (watch, runtime: 7:20). Rabie emphasised that some 120k Egyptians died during the canal’s construction, which was financed entirely by Egyptians.

There were also tough words for the US president on Ahmed Moussa’s Ala Masouleety, with international law expert Mohamed Mahran telling the presenter that Trump’s remarks represent a blatant violation of international law and an assault on Egyptian sovereignty (watch, runtime: 6:36). International law professor Ayman Salama similarly told Al Hayah Al Youm’s Lobna Assal that Egypt’s sovereignty over the canal is protected by international law and the Constantinople Convention, which prohibits any external party from compromising the canal’s neutrality (watch, runtime: 10:03).

Lamees also weighed in — and didn’t hold back. Though she didn’t tackle the issue on Kelma Akhira, Lamees El Hadidi took to X to deliver a sharp response to Trump’s comments. El Hadidi stressed that the US had “no role whatsoever” in the construction, operation, or protection of the Suez Canal — as seemed to be claimed by Trump — adding that Trump appeared to confuse the Suez Canal with the Panama Canal. In a separate post, El Hadidi reminded Trump that the Suez Canal opened in 1869 — while the US was barely recovering from its civil war and still grappling with slavery.

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Donald Trump LAST NIGHT’S TALK SHOWS Suez Canal trade

Also on our Radar

United Foundries Company eyes USD 10 mn foundry to more than double output. PLUS: Sarwa Ins. + Zamalek SC, Beyti, Hilton, Huawei, Scatec, Ostoul Capital

MANUFACTURING-

Qalaa Holdings’ United Foundries Company is planning to invest up to USD 10 mn in a new foundry in Helwan, Managing Director Waseem Abdullah told Hapi Journal. The new facility will focus on producing castings for the gold mining and cement industries, adding some 40k tons to the company’s production capacity and bringing total output to around 70k tons annually.

Abdullah said US tariffs on imports from major competitors like China, India, and Thailand create a competitive advantage for Egyptian products. The company plans to explore the US market to capitalize on new export windows, with around 83% of production earmarked for export.

SPORTS-

Contact Financial’s Sarwa Ins. will provide Zamalek Sporting Club comprehensive sports injury ins. coverage for all 150 of the club’s players across all categories, under an agreement inked between the two, the ins. company said in a statement.

This is the first policy of its kind in Egypt, covering a wide range of common on-field injuries, including ligament tears, bone fractures, dislocations, emergency dental treatments, and rehabilitation costs, according to Al Mal.

INVESTMENT-

Dairy and juice giant Beyti is planning to invest over EGP 7 bn in the next three to five years to boost production capacity, General Manager Chris Abboud told Asharq Business. The subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Almarai will allocate EGP 1.5 of that amount this year and is targeting a 20-25% increase in sales over the next three years.

REMEMBER- Beyti has recently received an EGP 1 bn investment from Almarai to ramp up production by adding two new cheese production lines.

HOSPITALITY-

Hospitality giant Hilton will launch two new hotels in the new capital under two agreements inked with Selim Holding Group subsidiary Panax Company, according to a statement from the Administrative Capital for Urban Development. The two hotels — Hilton Cairo New Capital Downtown and Hilton Garden Inn Cairo New Capital Downtown — are scheduled for opening in 2028.

EVs-

Chinese tech giant Huawei is considering installing electric vehicle charging stations in the new capital, according to a statement from the Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD). Beyond EV infrastructure, is also eyeing future cooperation with the new capital on data centers, AI applications, and smart city management solutions.

ENERGY-

Scatec’s 1 GW Obelisk solar plant will be connected to the grid by 220 kV transmission lines built under a contract between the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) signed a contract with the consortium of Kharafi National and Power Ring, according to an EETC statement. The project – to be completed within eight months – will extend a 220 kV Nagaa Hammadi Industrial-South Qena overhead line and link it to the Scatec facility, and construct a 12 km, 220 kV overhead transmission line between Old Nagaa Hammadi and the plant, under the supervision of the Upper-Egypt Electricity Zone.

M&A-

Ostoul Capital is eyeing two acquisitions this year, including a 30% stake in a local food company, and 40-50% of a laboratory, Zawya reports citing Chairman Aly El Ghannam. The firm allocated around EGP 100 mn for acquisitions this year. They are also evaluating two acquisitions in the education and healthcare sectors.

The group also is set to launch two investment funds — an equity fund and a balanced fund each with a size of EGP 100-150 mn— in the second half of the year, with a view to roll out a VC fund further down the line.

Tags:

Almarai ALSO ON OUR RADAR Beyti dairy food Hilton hospitality Huawei insurance Manufacturing Ostoul Qalaa Holdings renewables Scatec solar power sports Zamalek

Planet Finance

Why “silver” economies aren’t necessarily bad for growth

A silver economy is on the rise, shaped by a slowdown in worldwide population growth, a drop in fertility, and extended lifespans. The IMF’s 2025 World Economic Outlook (pdf) outlines new economic prospects that healthier seniors can unlock as the global age structure shifts, despite challenges to labor supply and public finances.

An aging world: Most economies are approaching or have crossed their “demographic turning point” — where the working-age population begins to decline. By 2035, all advanced and major emerging economies will be on the other side of this shift, with most low-income countries following by 2070. By the end of the century, the worldwide average age is set to rise by 11 years.

Aging creeps in across the world’s youngest regions too: While the biggest advanced economies and emerging markets in Europe and Asia have the largest share of older population, the younger Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East are also on track to see a steep rise in older people. The more fertility falls and lifespans extend, the smaller the window to reap demographic dividends — especially in low-income countries.

Healthier, not just older: Today’s 70-year-olds match the cognitive sharpness of 53-year-olds in 2000, fueling longer careers, delayed retirements, and higher earnings. Better health has raised the chances of seniors participating in the labor force by 20 percentage points. However, challenges like outdated skills, pension limitations, and age discrimination persist for older age groups.

Aging is expected to weigh down in growth: These global demographic shifts are set to slow economic growth and strain public finances over the long term. Overall output growth is expected to decline by 1.1 percentage points through 2050 and by 2 percentage points through 2100, compared to 2016–2018 levels. Output per capita growth is also projected to slow by 0.6 percentage points through 2050 and by 1.8 points by century’s end.

Regional growth implications: Advanced economies like Japan face contraction risks due to aging, while the US and Canada maintain modest growth due to favorable demographics. China will see a sharp growth deceleration (down 2.7 percentage points in 2025-2050), while India, though initially insulated with a 0.7 point slowdown, will face increasing pressure post-2050.

AND- These trends are expected to pressure interest rates downward and threaten debt sustainability. Aging populations save more, invest less, and strain pension and healthcare systems.

Balancing capital and labor: Global aging could also shift capital from older, high-savings nations to younger, capital-scarce ones. At the same time, younger workers might move to aging economies to fill workforce gaps, providing a potential balance in global labor markets and capital flows.

How can countries adapt? Promoting preventive healthcare and reducing risk factors can improve rates of healthy aging. Pension reform and adaptable workplaces, as well as bridging labor market gaps by addressing age, gender, and income disparities, would promote longer working lives. Economies could also boost fertility by supporting childcare and flexible work arrangements that balance career and family. Meanwhile, productivity could be increased by leveraging AI and biotechnology.

The “silver” lining: Measures like increasing senior participation rates, delaying retirement, and narrowing gender gaps could raise annual growth by up to 0.6 percentage points annually through 2050. This would offset almost 75% of the demographic drag during this period, with some countries in Europe and India could see even higher growth.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets are mixed this morning, as investors carefully weigh trade developments and new stimulus measures from China. Japan’s Nikkei is up 0.8%, and Hang Seng (Hong Kong) is slightly up 0.1%, while Shanghai Composite is down 0.2%. Meanwhile, Wall Street futures are pointing to a lower opening ahead of a packed earnings week that has Amazon, Apple, Meta and Microsoft (among other heavyweights) on the docket.

EGX30	31,855	+0.7% (YTD: +7.1%)
USD (CBE)	Buy 50.87	Sell 51.00
USD (CIB)	Buy 50.90	Sell 51.00
Interest rates (CBE)	25.00% deposit	26.00% lending
Tadawul	11,756	-0.1% (YTD: -2.3%)
ADX	9392	-0.4% (YTD: -0.3%)
DFM	5163	-0.6% (YTD: -0.1%)
S&P 500	5525	+0.7% (YTD: -6.1%)
FTSE 100	8415	+0.1% (YTD: +3.0%)
Euro Stoxx 50	5154	+0.8% (YTD: +5.3%)
Brent crude	USD 66.87	+0.5
Natural gas (Nymex)	USD 2.94	+0.2%
Gold	USD 3298.40	-1.5%
BTC	USD 94,401.20	+0.1% (YTD: +0.9%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The EGX30 rose 0.7% at yesterday’s close on turnover of EGP 4.0 bn (11.2% below the 90-day average). Regional investors were the sole net sellers. The index is up 7.1% YTD.

In the green: Palm Hills Development (+3.6%), Orascom Construction (+3.5%), and E-finance (+2.8%).

In the red: Egypt Kuwait Holding -USD (-5.4%), Egypt Kuwait Holding -EGP (-3.9%), and Oriental Weavers (-1.1%).

CORPORATE ACTIONS-

Arab Developers Holding’s EGP 617.9 mn rights issue closed with a 98.2% subscription rate, which saw the firm’s issued capital increase nearly double to EGP 1.4 bn, according to a disclosure to the bourse (pdf).

Tags:

economy IMF Planet Finance

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

Published every Monday in EnterpriseAM.

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BLACKBOARD

The government’s plans for education spending and investment in FY 2025-26

Next year’s fiscal budget is ramping up its education spending: We got an insight into the government’s financial priorities and plans for the next fiscal year with Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk’s budget statement to the House and the release of the draft Economic and Social Development Plan from the Planning and International Cooperation Ministry.

By the numbers: The government has allocated — including the sector’s share of debt servicing — EGP 684.8 bn for pre-university education and EGP 358.3 bn for higher education. Together, the two total EGP 1.0 tn, representing roughly 6.1% of GDP. These allocations mark a significant increase from the total spending on education for the current year, which totaled only EGP 858 bn across the sector in comparison — representing a 21.6% y-o-y increase.

When taking debt servicing out of the picture, education spending for the upcoming fiscal year will represent about 4.9% of the total governmental expenses, estimated at around EGP 8 tn, with EGP 393.8 bn allocated to education – marking a 33.7% increase compared to the current fiscal year.

Investments in infrastructure are a big part of the plan: The government earmarked EGP 63.4 bn for public investments in education services in the coming fiscal year, according to the development strategy, targeting major upgrades and expansions across the sector.

Bridging the teacher gap: The government is planning to hire some 150k teachers, implement literacy programs — especially in areas with high illiteracy rates — and expand early childhood education facilities, El Mashat emphasized in her presentation of the development plan. This comes as the country’s education sector faces serious teacher shortages, with an estimated gap of 470k teachers. The issue has escalated as the government added 98k new classrooms nationwide to accommodate the growing student population.

More classrooms, better schools: The government’s plan for the new fiscal year aims to build 17.3k new classrooms, renovate around 1.9k existing schools, and refurbish and replace 12.5k classrooms. It also plans to expand educational facilities and enhance school quality standards. These changes aim to reduce overcrowding, particularly in underserved areas, with investments directed toward basic education schools, especially in Cairo, Alexandria, Giza, Beheira, and Fayoum.

Technical education is also getting a boost: The government aims to establish 536 new technical classrooms, renovate 902 existing ones, upgrade 126 technical schools, and establish 10 new applied technology schools. Egypt is encouraging partnerships with the private sector to build these schools to meet labor market demands and accelerate digital transformation in education.

Higher education is also on the list: The government wants to make Egypt’s universities more competitive by encouraging private sector investment in higher education, expanding enrollment capacities at public and national universities, and improving education quality. Projects include completing university buildings and dormitories at 29 public universities and expanding facilities at 12 technological universities.

Private sector participation is crucial: The government is banking on its golden licenses initiative, which offers faster approvals, tax breaks, and easier land access, to bring more private players into the education space. The goal is to establish 1k new private schools by 2030. However, some warn that achieving these targets will require significant regulatory reforms and adjustments to policies to account for inflation and other economic pressures.

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Blackboard budget watch Education

CALENDAR

APRIL

28-30 April (Monday-Wednesday): FDC Regional Digital Industry Summit will launch cybersecurity index

29 April (Tuesday): Solar & Storage Live Egypt, Cairo, Egypt

30 April (Wednesday): Deadline for Australia Awards Scholarships applications

Mid-April: Egyptian trade delegation to promote investments during an official visit to Canada

Business-to-business forum of Egyptian and Moroccan companies to promote bilateral trade, Cairo, Egypt

The Suez Canal Container Terminal will begin trial operations for its expanded East Port Said facilities

Government begins talks with EU on the second tranche of the of the EUR 5 bn concessional loans package

Saxony Delegation visit to Egypt

Egypt to launch trial operations of the first phase of its USD 1.8 bn Egypt-Saudi electricity interconnection project, ahead of schedule

Tahya Misr 1 container terminal to begin operations, adding 3.5 mn container capacity to the port

MAY

1 May-10 July (Thursday-Tuesday): 500 Global's Scale Up Program, Cairo

3-5 May (Saturday-Monday): A Moroccan business delegation will visit Cairo to strengthen economic cooperation.

7-10 May (Tuesday-Saturday): Egypt hosts the 24th Pan Arab Junior and Ladies Golf Championship

10 May (Saturday): Capmas expected to publish inflation data for April

18-20 May (Sunday-Tuesday): First Arab International Exhibition for Sustainable Development

22 May (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee’s third meeting

25 May (Sunday): Social Education Summit 2025, Cairo, Egypt

30-31 May (Friday-Saturday): Africa Business Summit, London, UK

Egyptian Exporters Association (Expolink) exhibition, Italy

Egyptian-Russian Business Forum

May 2025: Egypt-Singapore Business Forum, Cairo

JUNE

10 June (Tuesday): Capmas expected to publish inflation data for May

MPs approveextension of tax dispute resolution window until 30 June 2025, with potential for further extension

Coficab to complete its USD 88 mn automotive cable and electrical factory in Tenth of Ramadan City

Realme to open smartphone factory

IFC President Makhtar Diop to visit Egypt

JULY

10 July 2025 (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee’s fourth meeting

15-16 July 2025 (Tuesday-Wednesday): Egypt Mining Forum

July 2025: The first operational trail of Egypt-KSA electricity interconnection line

Etihad Airways to launch twice-weekly flights to Alamein

AUGUST

28 August 2025 (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee’s fifth meeting.

Tourism Development Authority to waive late payment penalties for land purchases if full installments are paid

SEPTEMBER

Egypt Education Platform (EEP) to launch two new schools in Alexandria and Somabay

Egypt Otsuka’s nutritional products factory in Tenth of Ramadan to begin operations, with exports to Gulf countries expected by January 2026

OCTOBER

2 October 2025 (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee’s sixth meeting.

NOVEMBER

20 November 2025 (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee’s seventh meeting.

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

DECEMBER

1-4 December: Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX), Egypt International Exhibition Centre.

25 December: (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee’s eighth meeting.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

1Q 2025: The Egyptian-Italian business forum

1Q 2025: Investment Minister Hassan El Khatib to visit Italy

1Q 2025: Eipico’s biopharma plant to begin operations

1Q 2025: Finance Ministry to launch public consultations on its tax policy document

Mid-2025: EGX launches sustainability index.

2Q 2025: Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) to introduce derivatives on the EGX

2Q 2025: Safaga Terminal 2 to start operations

1H 2025: EGX launches a sharia-compliant sustainability index.

1H 2025: Digital Financial Identity Company will launch an electronic bank account opening service

1H 2025: The Egyptian-US Investment Forum.

1H 2025: The Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority will relaunch a global tender for gold exploration through Shalateen Mineral Resources company.

3Q 2025: Nasr Automotive begins locally manufacturing passenger cars.

Mid-2025: The Administrative Capital for Urban Developments to roll out the second phase of offering industrial plots to investors

2025: The InterAcademy Partnership assembly

2025: Nile Basin States Summit, Cairo, Egypt

2025: Release of the government’s Startup Charter document

2026

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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