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Monday, 28 Jul 2025

What We’re Tracking Today
Egp Watch
Retail
M&a Watch
Economy
Also On Our Radar
Planet Finance
Blackboard
Calendar

EGP hits nine-month high against the USD

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Today at a glance

1

EGP WATCH

EGP strengthens further against the USD, reaches highest level since October.
2

RETAIL

NTRA isn’t scrapping mobile import exemptions — but says it’s clamping down on fraud.
3

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

Electricity consumption peaked yesterday.
4

M&A WATCH

Admaius takes indirect stake in Minapharm.
5

ECONOMY

Structural reforms fuelling growth in Egypt, Deutsche Bank says.
6

ALSO ON OUR RADAR

A look at NATCO’s spending to localize the assembly of Exeed.
7

PLANET FINANCE

Investors pull bns out of US treasuries — and into corporate debt.
8

BLACKBOARD

Private, int’l universities hike tuition fees for upcoming academic year.

Monday, 28 Jul 2025

What We’re Tracking Today
Egp Watch
Retail
M&a Watch
Economy
Also On Our Radar
Planet Finance
Blackboard
Calendar
1

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

Egypt’s electricity consumption peaked yesterday

Good morning, everyone. It’s a good news morning after the EGP notched a nine-month high against the greenback — and there’s not a thumb in sight anywhere near the scale. The EGP is holding strong thanks to FX inflows from tourism and remittances, and bankers we spoke with see the trend holding into August.

Remember: We like volatility (particularly when the drivers are clear). It’s a sign that the market is functioning. To that end, consider this gentle reminder an extra public service announcement: It’s not unusual to see the EGP sag a bit against the USD in late August as many Egyptians travel, stores restock for fall, and back-to-school demand kicks in.

We have for you below a deep dive into what’s up with the EGP, along with news that our friends at NATCO are investing some EGP 1.25 bn to localize assembly of China’s Exeed, including the brand’s very handsome VX model. Admaius has taken a stake in the majority shareholder of Minapharm. And the NTRA promises that while it’s not scrapping that once-every-three years exemption from customs on personal mobile phone imports, it is definitely cracking down on grey-market imports and fraud.

We have two MORNING MUST READS to kick-off this muggy day:

#1- Repeat after us: “The economy” is a lagging indicator — and the economy ≠ the stock market. The US economy is (so far) proving more resilient to stress in the wake of Trump’s tariff nonsense than many had predicted, but it’s hard not to wonder if it isn’t Wile E. Coyote. You know: The scene where he’s just about to turn to the camera and waive “bye-bye” before plunging to earth? Anyway, the Wall Street Journal has five charts for you this morning warning that “stretched [stock] valuations and a surge in speculative trades are raising red flags, even as growth persists.”

#2- Pumping iron is the key to aging well, folks. Peter Attia has been telling you this foryears. The New York Times is now hopping on the bandwagon, profiling Greysteel, a gym in the United States that sees seniors in their 70s, 80s, and 90s deadlifting their bodyweight and more.

PSA-

WEATHER- It’s another extremely warm day in Cairo as we approach the hottest month of the year. We’re in for a high of 40°C (that, once again, will feel several degrees hotter) and a low of 28°C, according to our favorite weather app.

You can expect slightly cooler (but more humid) weather in Alexandria, with a high of 35°C and a low of 25°C.

And we know what hot days mean:

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Electricity consumption hit a new peak at 39 GW yesterday after a few days of extreme heat pushed energy demand to a series of record highs, according to National Energy Control Center data seen by EnterpriseAM. Saturday briefly held the title for record electricity consumption at 38.8 GW — the highest load ever recorded in the history of Egypt’s unified power grid — before being dethroned. Last year’s peak came in at 38 GW.

This explains the electricity cuts some folks suffered through over the weekend, with the lights (and A/C) going out for long hours Saturday night in some districts. The blackouts were the result of transformer stations malfunctioning, a government source in the electricity sector told us, explaining that it was a one-time thing and not a sign that rolling blackouts are coming back.

Bracing for more hot days: The Electricity Ministry says it’s working to ensure the A/C stays on during periods of high demand. The ministry is coordinating with EGAS to increase gas supplies and carrying out regular maintenance of power stations to make sure they can handle the increased demand, the source added.

DATA POINT- Power plants are fed 3.3 bn cubic feet of natural gas a day — taking up 65% of the country’s gas supplies, our source said.

#2- Aid trucks are making their way from Egypt to Gaza: Aid trucks loaded with food and basic supplies began moving from Egypt into Gaza yesterday, Al Qahera News reports. This comes a day after Israel said that it had resumed airdropping aid into Gaza.

The news comes as Israel claims it will “stop fighting” for up to 10 hours each day in some areas of Gaza to allow food distribution. Jordan and the UAE, meanwhile, have begun airdropping food aid on Gaza, where starvation is a fact of daily life and famine is now the watchword. Some in the west, meanwhile, continue to debate what constitutes famine.

#3- Boursa Kuwait-listed Manazel Holding is raising its stake in local subsidiary ManazelReal Estate Developments to 99.99% from 55%, according to a disclosure (pdf). The EGP 294 mn transaction is being executed via an asset swap, with Manazel handing over commercial space in New Cairo as payment.

The move comes as a vote of confidence in the local real estate market, even as the sector contends with fresh regulatory pressure, including a new land tax on plots owned by developers in areas like the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road and North Coast, and a three-month grace period for North Coast developers to obtain construction licenses.

DATA POINT-

Tourism revenues are up: Tourism revenues rose 22% y-o-y to USD 8 bn in 1H 2025, Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy told Asharq Business.

Speaking of tourism: The New Urban Communities Authority has agreed not to collect fees from homeowners looking to convert their properties into short-term vacation rentals, Fathy said, adding that eight companies have received approvals to convert 56 units — including apartments and villas — into holiday homes, writes Al Mal.

Mark your calendar for the 2025 EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum, our flagship forum and part of our must-attend series of invitation-only, C-suite-level gatherings. Tap to register your interest to attend. Want to partner with us? Reach out to Moustafa Taalab at mtaalab@enterpriseadvisory.com to explore sponsorship opportunities.

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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 support factories as the EU carbon mechanism comes into play. Check out the story here.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

The US and the EU have narrowly averted a trade war after reaching an agreement that will see the bloc face a 15% tariff on exports to the US. The agreement came following months of talks and just a few days before a Friday deadline will see higher tariffs take effect.

There are still points of contention: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the tariffs covered all exports, including automobiles, drugs, and chips, hitting back at Trump’s claim that the agreement did not cover pharma and metals. The US is working on a probe into pharma that could see it implement a global tariff on drugs later. Conventional wisdom is that we’ll see a low tariff imposed this year — and a much higher one next year after firms have regrouped. (Bloomberg | Financial Times | Reuters | Wall Street Journal | New York Times)

ALSO- It’s going to be a big week on Wall Street and in Washington, DC, with CNBC’s Jim Cramer saying it could set the tone for markets through the rest of the summer. Here’s what to watch out for:

  • The Federal Reserve’s open markets committee meets tomorrow and the day after. It’s widely expected to stay the course and hold rates steady despite continued pressure from Trump. Its concern: tariff-driven inflation;
  • It’s Big Tech week on the earnings front, with Apple, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft all expected to begin reporting 2Q results from Wednesday;
  • Friday will see the US publish its latest jobs report and kick into gear higher tariffs for all trading partners with which it has not reached a trade agreement.

*** 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 private and international university tuition fees for the upcoming academic year.

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Whether you’re diving into turquoise waters, catching the golden hour from your terrace, or just letting time drift by — Somabay is summer, redefined. Your ultimate escape, every single time.

2

EGP WATCH

EGP strengthens further against the USD, reaches highest level since October

EGP extends gains, hits nine-month high against USD: The EGP continued strengthening against the greenback yesterday, reaching its highest level since October 2024. The USD was changing hands at EGP 48.85-48.95 at the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr and at EGP 48.83-48.93 at the CIB at the end of the banking day yesterday.

Foreign inflows fuel EGP rally: An improved FX inflow and a higher supply of USD liquidity are driving up the EGP recovery against the greenback, a senior banker told EnterpriseAM yesterday. “We are seeing weekly inflows of USD 1 to 1.2 bn into debt instruments,” the source said. This happens as interest rates rise and geopolitical tensions ease, luring foreign investors back into emerging and frontier markets, the banker added.

Tourism receipts are helping, too (we’re approaching the peak of the summer season as the Gulf descends on Sahel) as are remittances, helping make up for the elimination of Suez Canal receipts thanks to the Houthis’ campaign against shipping in the Red Sea. Remittances from Egyptians living abroad climbed 24.2% y-o-y to reach USD 3.4 bn in May, making it the fifteenth consecutive months of y-o-y remittance growth. Remittances sent between July 2024 and May 2025 rose 69.6% y-o-y to reach USD 32.8 bn, while the figure jumped 59% y-o-y in the period between January and May 2025 to hit USD 15.8 bn.

Bankers we surveyed expect the EGP to appreciate a bit more in the coming weeks, bolstered by strong inflows of hard currency.

REMEMBER- Suez Canal receipts fell 54.1% y-o-y to USD 2.6 bn during the first nine months of the last fiscal year, with net tonnage down 61.9% and vessel transits falling 44.8%.

Don’t expect a Suez Canal rebound anytime soon: The Houthis said yesterday that they would step-up attacks on shipping as part of their bid to put pressure on Israel to stop its war in Gaza.

There’s less demand for greenbacks on the interbank market, with transactions dropping to between USD 100-200 mn a day with most banks having healthy FX positions, a banker told us, noting that strong USD inflows are bolstering the EGP at a time when global trends suggest potential weakening of the greenback, the source noted.

Also helping the EGP: We’re buying fewer cars and cellphones. Measures put in place to curb demand for USD-intensive goods are keeping demand for the USD in check, the senior banker said. Some also expect the Madbouly government’s drive to bolster local manufacturing will start to pay off toward the end of the year, further curbing demand for imports and starting to push up export receipts.

Capital Economics doesn’t see a thumb on the scale: The EGP’s rise to its highest level since October last year “may raise some alarm, given previous heavy management of the currency. But we are less concerned,” Capital Economics’ Jason Tuvey wrote in a research note seen by EnterpriseAM. This is because the USD has already weakened against most major currencies, meaning that the EGP has actually remained fairly stable since the start of the year. “The real effective exchange rate has appreciated, but it remains close to the lows recorded over the past decade,” the research note read.

The trend began last week, driven by substantial USD-denominated inflow, two sources in the banking sector told us at the time. These inflows coincided with the beginning of the new fiscal year, a decline in debt obligations, and rising tax revenues. Moreover, sources also noted that easing geopolitical tension and attractive interest rates spurred unprecedented foreign inflows into short and medium-term debt instruments.

The EGP rebound points to a preemptive move from foreign investors in treasury bills and bonds, as they see how Egypt is committed to having its upcoming review of its USD 8 bn IMF loan program completed, Al Ahly Pharos’ Hany Genena previously told us. “They [foreign investors] are preemptively banking on a potential interest rate cut by the CBE during its upcoming meeting in August. A combined fifth and sixth review of our IMF loan program is expected to conclude in September or October, unlocking a USD 2.5 bn tranche.

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3

RETAIL

NTRA confirms mobile import exemptions still valid — but 13k phones blocked over fraud

NTRA confirms mobile import exemptions still in place: The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has confirmed that returning travelers are still entitled to bring one mobile phone into Egypt exempt from import fees every three years, despite recent rumors suggesting the exemption had been suspended, the authority said in a statement (pdf). The authority said the exemption remains in place during the trial phase of its mobile phone governance system, which launched earlier this year.

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

CONTEXT- A number of buyers complained that they had received notifications of unpaid fees on phones imported prior to the decision’s implementation, while others received the notifications despite believing that their devices are exempt from the fees. This caused confusion and prompted some buyers to demand refunds from local sellers, many of whom had sourced devices through the grey market.

By the numbers: NTRA said it had only suspended 60k of the 650k devices that received exemptions since January, citing what it said was suspected fraud. Of these, 13k were confirmed to have violated regulations and will remain blocked. Another 47k were verified as legitimate and have since been reactivated.

Gov’t is tightening the system to clamp down on abuse — but it says it’s not applying fees retroactively: A government source in the telecom sector told EnterpriseAM that the mobile phone import duty system is currently under review after authorities found instances of abuse — particularly cases of phones brought in by Egyptian expats for commercial resale. The source stressed that fees are not being applied retroactively, but some users received unexpected tax notifications because the devices they bought locally were brought into the country under the pretense that they were for personal use to evade fees.

Exemptions to be tightened, not canceled: The source told us that the government is now looking to tighten up criteria for exemptions more strictly to prevent abuse by grey market importers and retailers while preserving fair access for individual users.

REMEMBER- Imported mobile phones are subject to customs and taxes totaling 38.5% — including a 5% industry development fee — as the government looks to grow the domestic mobile phone assembly industry. The levies were introduced late 2024 and apply only to new mobile phones imported and activated starting 2025.

Local assembly surges as grey market squeezed: The fees on grey market phone imports are already pushing more customers toward locally assembled devices. A senior government source told EnterpriseAM that Egypt’s five mobile assemblers doubled their production in 1Q 2025, turning out 110k phones, of which 80k were exported. New batches are being offered at price points that better match local incomes to curb demand for grey-market imports.

iPhone at the heart of the pricing mismatch: A member of the Chamber of Commerce’s mobile division told EnterpriseAM that Apple’s iPhones are one of the main reasons behind the surge in mobile phones imported through unofficial channels: iPhones are significantly more expensive in Egypt than they are abroad. The iPhone 16 starts at EGP 55.5k in Egypt and the iPhone 16 Pro starts at EGP 73.3k. The same devices in the United States retail for USD 799 (EGP 39.1k) and USD 999 (EGP 48.9k), respectively.

The gov’t is working to change that: The government is in talks with Apple in a bid to convince the tech giant to assemble in Egypt, the source tells us.

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4

M&A WATCH

Admaius takes minority stake in Minapharm majority shareholder Triquera

Admaius takes minority stake in Minapharm majority shareholder Triquera: Africa-focused private equity firm Admaius Capital Partners has acquired a minority stake in Triquera — which owns a 79.59% stake in local drugmaker Minapharm — the companies announced in a joint statement (pdf). The transaction was executed through a capital increase in Triquera and aims to accelerate Minapharm’s growth strategy, particularly in complex biologics and regional biotech leadership.

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

Where’s the money going: Minapharm licenses out proprietary platform technologies in monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and cell and gene therapies — some of which are already used in FDA-approved products. The transaction “will focus on accelerating the development and production of complex genetically engineered therapies, while expanding access to high-quality, affordable recombinant proteins by investing in innovation and scaling distribution to better serve patients across underserved markets in Africa and the Middle East.”

We had an idea this was coming: A report earlier this month that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Admaius were eyeing an indirect 15-20% stake in Minapharm via a capital increase in Triquera. And last year, Triquera announced that it signed a preliminary agreement with an unnamed investor looking to buy a minority stake in the firm through a capital increase, saying that the transaction would help it and its subsidiaries grow in the biotech field and support future investments in similar companies.

More to come? Triquera and Admaius will pursue strategic acquisitions of international contract development and manufacturing organizations to boost Minapharm’s growth.

What they said: “This partnership reflects the accelerating momentum of Minapharm’s growth as we extend our leadership in biotherapeutics, cell and gene therapies, and proprietary platform technologies,” said Minapharm CEO Wafik Bardissi. “We are pleased to be able to partner with Triquera… and will help to internationalize and grow the business further,” Admaius Managing Partner Marlon Chigwende added.

ADVISORS- Zilla Capital was the sole financial advisor to Triquera and its shareholders, and Matouk Bassiouny served as legal counsel on their side. Meanwhile, Admaius was advised by White & Case as legal counsel and Arthur D. Little as commercial advisor.

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5

ECONOMY

Structural reforms are fuelling growth in Egypt, Deutsche Bank says

Macrostructural reforms power 3Q growth: The economy expanded by 4.8% in the 3Q FY 2024-2025, marking the highest growth rate in three years, thanks to ongoing macrostructural reforms, Deutsche Bank said in a research note seen by EnterpriseAM. Most of the figures published in the note matched the government’s data released in late June.

The growth momentum is primarily fueled by the continued recovery of the non-oil sector, which saw a 16% y-o-y growth, a sharp rebound from a 4% contraction recorded in the same period of the previous fiscal year. The sector contributed 1.9 percentage points to the overall GDP. Strong expansion was also seen across other sectors, including telecoms (14.7% from 13.9%) and tourism (23%, from 7.1%), with both contributing a cumulative of 1 percentage point to the overall GDP.

Hydrocarbon + Suez Canal poised for recovery: Despite continued underperformance, with the hydrocarbon sector falling 10.4% y-o-y and the Suez Canal revenues dropping 23% y-o-y during the quarter, Deutsche Bank expects a gradual improvement in their contributions. This anticipated rebound stems from two key factors: renewed investments in the extractive sector — following the government’s efforts to settle the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation’s debt to foreign oil companies — and a potential return of Red Sea shipping activity to pre-disruption levels, the German investment bank noted.

On the back of this stronger-than-expected growth, Deutsche Bank has slightly revised up its growth forecast for the fiscal year 2024-2025 to 4.3%. This projection is slightly higher than the government’s 4.0% target, though the government itself also expects the growth to exceed this goal.

Growth outlook brightens for FY 2025-2026: GDP growth is forecast to expand 4.8% this fiscal year, on the back of a continued improvement in domestic demand, as the CBE moves forward with its monetary easing cycle amid declining inflation, the bank noted. This is slightly above the IMF’s projection of 4.1%.

Inflation outlook: Deutsche Bank sees headline inflation in Egypt averaging 15-16% in 2025, before declining to 10% in 2026. “In terms of the remaining upward pressures, we expect 3Q to be mainly about the interactive impact of the fiscal and monetary policy measures implemented on inflation,” the bank wrote.

However, 4Q 2025 is expected to bring further increases in fuel prices around the completion ofthe fifth and sixth reviews of our USD 8 bn IMF loan program, as the government moves to align local fuel prices with global ones, the investment bank said. Additionally, a 12% increase in tobacco prices is also expected in November.

This is relatively close to the IMF forecast, as it sees inflation reaching 15.3% on average during FY 2025-2026, before cooling down to 10.7% on average in the upcoming fiscal year. Annual headline urban inflation fell to 14.9% in June, from 16.8% in May, ending an upward trend that extended over three consecutive months.

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6

ALSO ON OUR RADAR

A look at NATCO’s spending to localize the assembly of Exeed

AUTOMOTIVE-

How much is NATCO spending to localize the assembly of China’s Exeed? The National Automotive Company (NATCO) — the exclusive agent for China's Exeed brand — will invest up to EGP 1.25 bn in the local assembly and retail expansion of the Exeed brand by the end of the year, Exeed Egypt General Manager Yehia Abdel Quddous told Al Borsa. Some EGP 1 bn of the investment is being directed toward assembling Exeed’s RX and (very handsome) VX models, with monthly output of 250 vehicles. The remaining EGP 250 mn will go toward opening two new showrooms and a service center in Alexandria and the Red Sea governorate before the year is out.

REMEMBER- Premium SUV-focused Chery subsidy Exeed launched local assembly at the Egyptian German Automotive Company’s facilities late last year.

EXPANSION-

State-owned Egyptian Sugar and Integrated Industries Company (ESIIC) is looking to build a USD 350 mn beet sugar plant in northern Sudan on the Sudanese government’s behalf under a turnkey framework, Hapi Journal quotes CEO Salah Fathy as saying. The company is handling the feasibility studies and designs for the facility and will also be responsible for the construction and operations. ESIIC expects to complete the feasibility studies within two months.

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

The move is part of the company’s broader push into African markets: A technical team is also assessing a potential sugar plant in Burundi, with plans to upgrade the facility and add another 5k ton/day turnkey factory, Fathy added. All equipment for the Burundi projects will be designed and manufactured in-house at ESIIC’s Hawamdeya facilities in Egypt.

MANUFACTURING-

Red Sea petchem project moves ahead with new CNCEC agreement: Red Sea National Petrochemicals signed a non-binding agreement with China National Chemical Engineering Company (CNCEC) to co-develop its planned petrochemicals complex in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, according to an Oil Ministry statement. Under the agreement, CNCEC could help finance up to 85% of EPC costs and potentially take an equity stake in the project. The signing took place in Beijing in the presence of senior Egyptian and Chinese officials, including reps from Bank of China, Exim Bank of China, and Sinosure.

AGRICULTURE-

Potato exporters are about to have an easier time accessing EU markets: The EU approved regulations simplifying procedures for importing Egyptian table potatoes, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement. The updated rules increase allowable shipment weights and reduce sampling requirements, helping cut export costs.

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7

PLANET FINANCE

Investors funnel USD bns into corporate debt over US gov’t bonds amid fiscal concerns

Investors are reallocating USD bns from US Treasuries to US and European corporate debt, as government debt progressively looks relatively weaker, Bloomberg reported. However, the shift is happening slowly, as US Treasuries still hold a steadier performance than corporate bonds, even after the April tariff announcement which pulled both of their prices down. Foreign demand for Treasuries remained resilient, with holdings climbing in May.

By the numbers: Money managers cleared USD 3.9 bn from the US treasuries last month, while putting USD 10 bn into European and US investment-grade corporate debt, according to EPFR Global data. Meanwhile, investors poured another USD 13 bn into US high-grade corporates in July alone, the largest net client purchasing on record since 2015, according to a note from Barclays strategists.

The rationale: If the US fiscal deficits continue to expand as a result of tax cuts and growing interest costs, the government could end up borrowing more, making Treasuries riskier and company debt relatively safer.

A key catalyst for the sentiment shift is Moody’s Ratings, after it lowered the US government rating to Aa1 in May from AAA, citing the impact of growing deficit and rising interest. Interest payments will eat up some 30% of revenue by 2035, compared to 18% in 2024 and 9% in 2021, the agency noted that. The next decade could see US deficits increase by some USD 3.4 tn, on the heels of the Trump administration’s tax cuts, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

MEANWHILE- Corporates are posting robust performance despite warnings, with established companies having the ability to pay interest from yielding earnings. More US companies are exceeding analysts’ expectations compared to the same period last year. “What we’ve seen on the government fiscal side is not great news. Corporates seem to be chugging along nicely,” Jason Simpson, senior fixed income SPDR ETF strategist at State Street Investment Management, told Bloomberg.

Corporate bonds still possess some risks: The high demand for corporate bonds has driven their prices up and their yields down, a reason money managers tend to be cautious. Corporate bond spreads are currently too tight to make them attractive, according to Dominique Braeuninger, a multi-asset fund manager at Schroders Investment Management.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets are mixed this morning, as anticipation for news on a US-China trade agreement is at an all-time high with the August 12 deadline approaching. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is up 0.9%, while Japan’s Nikkei is down 0.8%. Meanwhile, Wall Street futures are indicating a strong open following the trade agreement with the EU.

EGX30

34,554

+1.3% (YTD: +16.2%)

USD (CBE)

Buy 48.81

Sell 48.94

USD (CIB)

Buy 48.85

Sell 48.95

Interest rates (CBE)

24.00% deposit

25.00% lending

Tadawul

10,956

+0.1% (YTD: -9.0%)

ADX

10,340

+0.4% (YTD: +9.8%)

DFM

6,150

+0.6% (YTD: +19.2%)

S&P 500

6,389

+0.4% (YTD: +8.6%)

FTSE 100

9,120

-0.2% (YTD: +11.6%)

Euro Stoxx 50

5,352

-0.1% (YTD: +9.3%)

Brent crude

USD 68.44

-1.1%

Natural gas (Nymex)

USD 3.11

+0.5%

Gold

USD 3,393

-1.1%

BTC

USD 119,695

+1.4% (YTD: +27.9%)

S&P Egypt Sovereign Bond Index

881.93

+0.1% (YTD: +13.4%)

S&P MENA Bond & Sukuk

146.17

0.0% (YTD: +4.5%)

VIX (Volatility Index)

14.93

-3.0% (YTD: -14.0%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The EGX30 rose 1.3% at yesterday’s close on turnover of EGP 4.0 bn (20.2% below the 90-day average). International investors were the sole net buyers. The index is up 16.2% YTD.

In the green: Fawry (+5.0%), CIB (+3.3%), and ADIB (+3.1%).

In the red: Emaar Misr (-1.8%), TMG Holding (-1.6%), and Egypt Kuwait Holding-EGP (-1.5%).

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

Published every Monday in EnterpriseAM.

Read Blackboard
8

BLACKBOARD

Private, international universities hike tuition fees for upcoming academic year

University tuition fees are on the rise: Private and international universities have raised their tuition fees for the 2025-2026 academic year for thousands of students, even as the supply of total university seats grows y-o-y. The number of universities in Egypt has grown to 116 this year, up from 108 last year, offering some 1.1k faculties nationwide, according to official data. Even as more universities join the pool, private universities are seeing growing demand as several students either failed to secure high Thanaweya Amma grades or are seeking the quality and prestige associated with private universities.

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

Private institutions are reporting a surge in applications this year, driven by lower average Thanaweya Amma grades and families rushing to secure spots outside the state-run system, several private university heads told EnterpriseAM. One university head said his school received 900 applications within two hours of Thanaweya Amma results being announced, forcing staff to work overtime to process the large volume of applications. Parents are increasingly choosing private institutions for their perceived higher quality and the chance to earn international and dual degrees, university heads suggest. That demand is putting pressure on application systems and admission teams, our sources said.

Competitive landscape + higher quality = higher fees: Private and international universities have raised tuition fees across the board for the new academic year, citing improvements in service quality and a competitive landscape that drives up standards — and prices. The Higher Education Ministry does not intervene in pricing, which reflects growing competition among institutions, university heads told EnterpriseAM.

A snapshot of the private university space: There are currently 24 accredited private universities in Egypt, each of which sets its own internal admission thresholds. The Higher Education Ministry sets the minimum scores required for entry but does not regulate fees. Egypt is also home to several international universities operating under global agreements, including the American University in Cairo, Senghor University, the German University in El Gouna, the Arab Open University in Cairo, and ESLSCA University Egypt.

Here’s a look at what private university students will be paying this academic year:

  • Coventry University: GBP 3.8k–7.1k, depending on the program;
  • University of London (Egypt): EGP 320k–380k, up from EGP 260k–300k last year;
  • University of East London: EGP 270k–315k for physiotherapy and design, up from EGP 240k–275k;
  • University of Hertfordshire (Egypt): EGP 340k for medical sciences, nutrition, and creative arts (up from EGP 275k). AI programs will run EGP 335k (up from EGP 280k);
  • University of Central Lancashire: EGP 270k–330k for engineering, up from EGP 230k–270k;
  • ESLSCA University Egypt: EGP 223k for business programs (up from EGP 180k), digital tech programs will cost EGP 174k + EUR 1.5k (up from EGP 160k + EUR 1k), Visual arts will cost EGP 164k + EUR 1.5k + USD 300;
  • University of Prince Edward Island (Egypt): EGP 270k–315k for sustainable energy and engineering, up from EGP 115k–135k;
  • French University in Egypt: EGP 175k for engineering (up from EGP 135k), EGP 156k for business (up from EGP 125k), and EGP 126k for applied languages (up from EGP 115k);
  • British University in Egypt: EGP 330k for dentistry and EGP 210k for pharmacy;
  • Badya University: EGP 349k for medicine, EGP 329k for dentistry, and EGP 249k for physiotherapy, computer science, and business;
  • Badr University (medical tracks): EGP 230k for medical programs (up from EGP 208k), EGP 187k for dentistry (up from EGP 155k), and EGP 115k for pharmacy (up from EGP 107k).

We’re making more room for international students: The Central Administration for International Students' Affairs has lowered the minimum acceptance thresholds at private and nonprofit universities to 58% for medical majors and 55% for other majors, according to Al Ahram. At public universities, those minimums remain higher at 75% for medical programs and 70% for other fields. The policy change is expected to boost international admissions this year, according to our sources.

REMEMBER- The Higher Education Ministry is targeting USD 2 bn in annual revenues from foreign students, as well as an increase in international students enrolled in Egyptian universities to 200k by 2030, compared to 30k in the last academic year. Arab students in particular are choosing Egypt for university due to the perceived quality of education, head of the Central Administration for International Students' Affairs Ayman Farid said.

Foreign high school diploma holders have an edge: Students with international qualifications are expected to make up more than 20% of new intakes at some private universities this year, a private university source told EnterpriseAM. These students typically outperform others on admission tests required by many private institutions, the source added.

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CALENDAR

JULY

End-July 2025: Egypt and Jordan to connect fifth FSRU ‘Energos Force’ to Arab Gas Pipeline via Aqaba port.

Also happening this month:

  • The first operational trial of Egypt-KSA electricity interconnection line
  • China’s State Grid aims to finalize contracts for two solar projects

AUGUST

3-5 August (Sunday-Tuesday): Edugate Cairo, Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski Hotel in New Cairo

6 August (Wednesday): Egugate Alexandria, Hilton Green Plaza Hotel, Alexandria

7 August (Thursday): Finance Ministry to begin disbursement of 50% of exporters’ pre-June 2024 dues over a four-year plan.

28 August (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

Mid-August: Launch of electronic platform to register Old Rent Law tenants.

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

Late-August: Deadline for cement factories to restart production.

SEPTEMBER

8-11 September (Monday-Thursday): EFG Hermes London Conference takes place in the British capital.

15 September (Monday): IMF to hold its combined fifth and sixth reviews of Egypt’s USD 8 bn EFF arrangement.

24-27 September (Wednesday-Saturday): Cityscape Egypt 2025, Egypt International Exhibition Center.

The Egyptian-Moroccan Business Council to send a delegation of 23 local companies to Rabat.

The Engineering Export Council of Egypt will ship a commercial delegation to Russia to ramp up exports to European markets.

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

7 October (Tuesday): The 2025 EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum.

12-16 October (Sunday-Thursday): Cairo Water Week, Cairo.

19-22 October (Sunday-Wednesday): Arab African Investment and International Cooperation Summit.

23-25 October (Thursday-Saturday): Stone Africa Expo, Cairo International Conference Center.

October: The third iteration of the Export Smart Exhibition and Conference.

NOVEMBER

16-19 November: Cairo ICT 2025, Egypt International Exhibition Center

20 November (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee 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 Center.

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

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

Mid-2025: EGX launches sustainability index.

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

3Q 2025: Polaris Parks to finalize contracts for two new industrial zones in the new capital and Sadat City.

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

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

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.

15 March 2026: IMF to hold its seventh review of Egypt’s USD 8 bn EFF arrangement.

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

15 September 2026: IMF to hold its eighth review of Egypt’s USD 8 bn EFF arrangement.

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.

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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