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Monday, 10 Nov 2025

What We're Tracking Today
Economy
Startup Watch
Debt Watch
Last Night’s Talk Shows
Also On Our Radar
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IMF mission will touch down in Egypt soon

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Today at a glance

1

Economy

IMF delegation to arrive in Cairo this month following subsidy, FDI, privatization progress.
2

What We're Tracking Today

Egypt lobbies for fresh Chinese investments.
3

LAST NIGHT’S TALK SHOWS

Kouchouk on privatization, FDI, and the economic outlook.
4

Startup watch

DisrupTech Ventures continues portfolio expansion outside Egypt with stake in Moroccan fintech Chari.
5

DEBT WATCH

Corplease raises EGP 2 bn in short-term note issuance.
6

Also on our Radar

Foreign reserves increase to USD 50.1 bn in October.
7

PLANET FINANCE

Crypto adoption is picking up across the region, but who is leading the change?
8

BLACKBOARD

Egypt classifies education as a strategic sector ahead of incentive push to increase private sector appetite.

Monday, 10 Nov 2025

What We're Tracking Today
Economy
Startup Watch
Debt Watch
Last Night’s Talk Shows
Also On Our Radar
Planet Finance
Blackboard
Calendar
1

What We're Tracking Today

Egypt lobbies for fresh Chinese investments

Good morning, all. We have a brisk issue for you this morning, led by the latest on our long-awaited IMF review, with sources telling us that we can expect a mission from the Fund to make its way to Cairo this month.

BUT FIRST- Introducing EnterpriseAM MENA <> India, our new briefing, published every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, to 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 it the way only we can.

The very first edition will be sent out today at 7am Cairo time / 9am UAE time. 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.

PSA-

WEATHER- It’s another cool fall day in Cairo, with a high of 28°C and a low of 20°C, according to our favorite weather app.

It’s more or less the same in Alexandria, with a high of 27°C and a low of 18°C.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- Egypt lobbies for fresh Chinese investments: Egypt is looking to attract more Chinese capital into priority sectors including labor-intensive industries, auto components, batteries, engineering, and renewable energy, Investment Minister Hassan El Khatib said at the Egypt-China Business Forum in Cairo yesterday, according to a statement. He stressed that the next phase of cooperation should focus on rebalancing trade through new investments and joint production targeting export-bound production.

Deepening an already major partnership: China has been Egypt’s top trading partner for the past decade, with trade volume reading USD 16 bn last year. Over 2.8k Chinese companies currently have a presence in Egypt, investing more than USD 8 bn locally. El Khatib added that the ministry has launched a dedicated China Unit within the General Authority for Investment and Freezones to help streamline procedures, support new projects, and allow company incorporation in CNY.

Hear more from El Khatib: Boosting Chinese investments was one of many topics El Khatib touched on during our EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum last month. You can check out our coverage of the full panel discussion here.

We dive deeper into Chinese interest in Egypt in a story published earlier this week where we spoke to HSBC China Deputy CEO Ed Weeks and CEO of HSBC Egypt Todd Wilcox. Check out the story here.

#2- Enppi could soon enter the Omani market: State-owned petroleum-focused contractor Enppi is nearing a USD 350 mn turnkey agreement with Oman’s OQ Exploration and Production to build out expansions at oil facilities in the Omani Budour area, Asharq Business reports, citing an Egyptian government official. The scope would cover basic and detailed engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning, with delivery expected 26 months after signing.

This would mark Enppi’s first contract in Oman, feeding into its plans to expand its presence in the Gulf.

#3- The Madbouly government yesterday signed 55 MoUs with local and international companies in the field of outsourcing and digital exports, according to a statement. The MoUs — inked during the Global Outsourcing Summit — are expected to create over 70k jobs and come as Egypt pushes to cement its position as a leading global outsourcing hub, backed by USD 6 bn in digital infrastructure upgrades and a growing pool of talent.

SPEAKING OF- ICT exports are expected to reach USD 7.4 bn in 2025, in addition to another USD 1 bn from freelancers, CIT Minister Amr Talaat told Al Arabiya. Outsourcing exports alone are set to record USD 4.8 bn this year, after doubling over the past three years, compared to a 25% rise in overall digital exports.

HAPPENING TODAY-

#1- The business community and policymakers will have their eyes on October’s inflation figures, expected to be released in a matter of hours. Annual headline urban inflation eased for the fourth consecutive month in September to 11.7%, but analysts are expecting recent fuel price hikes to temporarily ratchet up inflationary pressures.

#2- Egyptians at home will head to the polls today and tomorrow for the first round of the parliamentary elections. Results will be announced on 18 November, followed by runoff elections, whose results will come out on 11 December.

#3- It’s day two of the transport and logistics exhibition TransMEA, which kicked off yesterday at the Egypt International Exhibition Center. The exhibition, organized with the Transport Ministry, will run between 9-11 November, bringing together 500 global and regional players from 30 countries to showcase innovations in mobility, logistics, and smart infrastructure.

#4- The Egypt-Gulf Cooperation Council Trade and Investment Forum is also happening today and tomorrow in Cairo, Emirati state news agency Wam reports. The two-day forum — held under the theme A Roadmap to Strengthening Egyptian-Gulf Economic Cooperation — will feature panel discussions, B2B meetings, and B2G sessions.

DATA POINT-

The Central Bank of Egypt once again revised upward its projected debt service payment plan for 2026 to USD 29.1 bn, marking an increase of around USD 1.23 bn from its previous estimate of USD 27.87 bn, according to its latest external position report (pdf). The figure marks a 54% increase from the USD 18.9 bn in debt service payment penciled in for 2025.

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

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

ICYMI- Missed this week’s Inside Industry? In our weekly vertical exploring all things industry and manufacturing, we looked at how idle state factories are being put up for lease in a bid to attract investments. Check out the story here.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

It’s a calm morning in the international press, with all eyes on critical negotiations at the US Senate that are poised to end the 40-day government shutdown. A group of Senate Democrats are reportedly going to support an agreement to fund some departments and agencies until 30 Jan, enough to pass through the Senate.

The longest shutdown on record is weighing down on the US economy, putting federal workers on leave, delaying food aid and slashing airport trips, while also delaying the release of key economic figures on employment, inflation and oil trading. (CNBC | Washington Post | Reuters | Financial Times)

ALSO- Head of the BBC and its top news executive both resigned yesterday, following criticism of the broadcaster’s editing of a speech by President Trump on 6 January 2021. (Associated Press)

*** 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 Egypt’s move to classify education as a strategic investment sector ahead of an incentive push to increase private sector appetite.

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The Opening of The Kaktus Hotel marks a new destination in Somabay, inspired by active lifestyle and culinary destination offerings. The Kaktus has finally bloomed on the Red Sea.

#Lovesomalivekaktus

2

Economy

IMF delegation to arrive in Cairo this month following subsidy, FDI, privatization progress

A mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is expected to touch down in Cairo in the second half of the month to discuss — and hopefully greenlight — the combined fifth and sixth reviews of our USD 8 bn Extended Fund Facility program, an informed source told EnterpriseAM. The visit follows improvements in key economic indicators the fund had been looking for progress on, 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.)

What progress? Qatar’s recently-announced USD 29.7 bn Alam El Roum project, for one. The multi-bn foreign direct investment has helped ease the IMF’s concern about FX inflows, with USD 3.5 bn on its way to state coffers. This comes in addition to a whole lot of funding for private and public sector players to implement the project, with the New Urban Communities Authority set to receive 15% of revenues.

A decent chunk — USD 350 mn — will go toward reducing public debt — another key priority for the IMF. The funds will help the Finance Ministry support its longer-term plan of reducing public debt to 70% of GDP by 2030 through resource mobilization, public spending discipline, and diversifying government debt instruments — more on this later with the ministry’s medium-term strategy for public debt due for release in December.

Also persuading the IMF to give our reform progress a second look are recent fuelsubsidy cuts, which made decent progress in bringing domestic prices in line with the international energy market, our source added. The move is a clear sign of the state’s commitment to keeping to the IMF’s subsidy targets — and the fund, we’re told, has taken note.

Egypt can also point to progress in its privatization push — understood to be the IMF’s main priority. The fund has been told of Egypt’s recent move to expand its offering program and attract more investment, the source told us, likely referring to the move to include 50 state-owned companies in the privatization program, up from the 35 currently in focus, which two government sources told EnterpriseAM about late last month.

The government aims to raise USD 1.5-2 bn from the planned offerings before the end of 2025, the source said, starting with offering the Gebal El Zeit wind farm this month, either through the EGX or through a competitive tender, depending on which option proves more beneficial.

The beginning of recovery of activity in the Suez Canal is likewise helping our case, the source notes. In case you missed it, a total of 229 ships journeyed through the Suez Canal in October — marking the highest monthly rate of traffic since ships began diverting away from the strait in late 2023. Larger ships are also returning, including the CGM Benjamin Franklin, which this week became the largest container ship to pass through the canal in two years, signaling a gradual return of mega-vessels to the Red Sea route.

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3

Startup watch

DisrupTech Ventures continues portfolio expansion outside Egypt with stake in Moroccan fintech Chari

Egyptian VC DisrupTech Ventures has made its second African investment outside of Egypt and its first in Morocco, with a stake in fintech and e-commerce platform Chari acquired in a series A extension round, according to a statement (pdf). The value of the transaction and size of the stake were not disclosed, but the move allows DisrupTech to join the board and is “a meaningful investment that reflects [the VC’s] strong conviction in Chari’s team and business model,” DisrupTech Managing Partner Mohamed Okasha told EnterpriseAM.

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

Chari? Chari is a B2B e-commerce and fintech platform that aims to serve the fragmented market of neighborhood shops by offering a mobile app that allows them to order fast-moving consumer goods for their inventory and receive no-charge delivery within 24 hours. Beyond e-commerce, Chari offers fintech solutions like working capital microloans, payments, and micro-ins. directly to these retailers.

Chari plans to use the fresh capital to accelerate its growth through strategic acquisitions within the payments ecosystem, including a POS management company it is in advanced negotiations with, Chari co-founder Ismael Belkhayat told us.

As new board members, DisrupTech will support Chari to speed up its fintech transformation, particularly in leveraging its vast network of retailers to expand financial inclusion,” Okasha told us. Belkhayat said that Okasha — who was a co-founder of Fawry — brings “deep expertise in payments and financial inclusion, and a proven ‘playbook’ from a market that has many parallels with Morocco.”

“Our ambition is to become the Moroccan equivalent of what Fawry achieved in Egypt,” Belkhayat said, with DisrupTech offering “strategic guidance, best practices and rigorous capabilities in building payments infrastructure, scaling merchant networks, and expanding financial inclusion.”

Morocco is step one, but Chari has the wider Francophone region in Africa in its sights, with an ongoing rollout of its credit-book platform Karny in Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Deepen in Morocco in the short term, while laying the infrastructure and operational foundation for broader regional scaling in parallel” is Chari’s plan as it looks to open up new possibilities by securing the necessary financial licenses to expand its presence in targeted countries.

But DisrupTech’s Chari venture “isn’t a shift away from Egypt, it’s an extension of our regional vision,” Okasaha emphasised. “Egypt remains our core focus, but we also believe in supporting African startups that are solving similar challenges around access to finance,” he explained.

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4

DEBT WATCH

Corplease raises EGP 2 bn in short-term note issuance

CI Capital’s leasing arm Corplease raised EGP 2 bn in a short-term note issuance, which was issued in a single tranche with a 12-month tenor, according to a statement from the parent company. The tranche received a P2 rating from the Middle East Ratings & Investor Services (Meris).

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

The issuance was fully covered by non-banking institutions, which CI Capital Debt Capital Markets head Mohamed Abbas said illustrates the “diversity of the investor base and their confidence in the local market.”

What sets short-term issuances apart: Unlike other corporate issuances, short-term notes — or commercial paper — have a much shorter maturity, typically for a period of less than one year, are rarely secured, and go toward working capital to address immediate needs. It’s often only large and very creditworthy companies that put together these types of issuances, because reputation is all that investors can really rely on.

ADVISORS- CI Capital acted as financial advisor, issuance manager, bookrunner, and lead arranger. Zaki Hashem & Partners served as counsel, Baker Tilly-Hilal & Abdel Ghaffar as financial auditor, and Banque Misr as subscription recipient.

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5

LAST NIGHT’S TALK SHOWS

Kouchouk on privatization, FDI, and the economic outlook

A conversation with Kouchouk: Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk dialed into Lamees El Hadidi’s El Sora (watch, runtime: 12:38) to talk privatization, foreign investment, and the broader economic outlook.

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

Next divestment coming “before year end”: Kouchouk said the government is working to finalize a privatization transaction before the end of 2025, but did not disclose further details on the company or asset in question. We have an idea what transaction he is talking about, with sources previously telling us the government plans to list the Gabal El Zeit wind farm on the EGX before year-end.

An IMF mission is expected to arrive in Egypt soon to conduct the fifth and sixth reviews of our USD 8 bn loan program, Kouchouk said, expressing confidence that “there’s been strong progress across key macro indicators.” He added that “the government is fully focused on ensuring the two reviews are successful and we are well prepared.”

How soon is soon? Sources told us that we can expect the mission to land in town during the second half of the month. We have more on that in the news well, above.

Kouchouk listed a string of indicators he says show a real turnaround — foreign reserves have surpassed USD 50 bn mark for the very first time last month (more on that below), the EGX30 rose 2.18% to close at a record 40.8k points, and the Alam El Roum project, which signals a revival of FDI. “The government remains committed to economic reforms and to creating a stable, investment-friendly environment,” he said.

Speaking on the Alam El Roum project — Qatari Diar’s USD 29.7 bn mega urbandevelopment in the North Coast — Kouchouk said the value of the project lies in “long-term returns from tourism, real estate, and development — not just in the upfront land value or partnership stakes.”

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6

Also on our Radar

Egypt’s foreign reserves increase to USD 50.1 bn in October

BANKING-

The country’s foreign reserves surpassed the USD 50 bn mark for the first time on record, increasing by USD 537 mn from September to hit USD 50.1 bn by the end of October, according to data (pdf) released by the Central Bank of Egypt.

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

This rise was driven by a USD 702 mn increase in gold reserves, alongside a USD 135 mn increase in Special Drawing Rights, which helped offset a USD 299 mn decrease in foreign currency holdings.

MANUFACTURING-

#1- Arabia Developments and Elsewedy Industrial Development will set up a 2 mn square meter industrial zone in Sixth of October under a cooperation agreement inked between the two, according to a statement. The Elsewedy Electric subsidiary will manage and develop the zone.

What they said: “Through this partnership, we aim to create an attractive investment environment that enhances production efficiency and accelerates the business cycle for industrial investors, by providing integrated services that include design, planning, development, and operational management after activity commences,” said Elsewedy Electric CEO Ahmed El Sewedy.

#2- Mopco to invest up to USD 250 mn to boost output: State-owned Misr Fertilizers Production Company (Mopco) plans to invest between USD 200-250 mn next fiscal year to raise production capacity and tap into new export markets, Chairman Ahmed Mahmoud told Al Borsa. The company aims to lift annual output by 10% to 2.2 mn tons and step into new markets in South Africa and Latin America to reduce reliance on European markets, which currently absorb 89% of its exports.

#3- Saudi Arabia's Zamil Steel plans to set up a new production line for heavy steel structures in Sadat City at a cost of USD 15-20 mn, Export Director Ayman Galal told Asharq Business. The self-financed expansion is expected to take 18 months to complete. The new line will add 40-45k tons of heavy steel output annually, primarily serving Egypt’s oil and fertilizer industries.

DEBT WATCH-

#1- Egypt and Germany signed a EUR 50 mn debt swap agreement to fund two renewable energy transmission projects linking the Ras Ghareb and Gabal El Zeit wind farms to Egypt’s national grid, according to a statement from the Electricity Ministry. The financing, provided through Germany’s KfW and converted into a full grant, will be released in two EUR 25 mn tranches.

REMEMBER- The two sides signed a EUR 21 mn debt swap agreement in May to fund renewable energy upgrades and another EUR 54 mn in 2023 to link the 500-GW Ras Ghareb and Gulf of Suez wind farms to the national grid.

#2- FABMisr's parent company First Abu Dhabi Bank Group has applied for a financial assurance of up to USD 550 mn from the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, according to a statement from the agency. The three-year pledge would support the bank’s lending to micro, small, and medium enterprises and climate-related financing in Egypt and reduce FAB Group’s consolidated risk-weight assets.

PHARMA-

Saudi Spimaco to turn Egyptian unit into export hub: The Saudi Pharma Industries & Medical Appliances Corp. (Spimaco) plans to expand its operations in Egypt and transform its local subsidiary into an export base for African, GCC, and — at a later stage — European markets, Managing Director Ahmed Aljedai said during a press conference attended by EnterpriseAM. The move follows the resumption of commercial production at Spimaco Egypt last week — after a two-year hiatus — marking a reversal of an earlier board decision to exit the market following pandemic-related losses. The Saudi parent, which holds a 91% stake in its Egyptian arm, is now studying a full acquisition of the remaining shares.

TELECOMS-

The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority will offer new frequency bands to Egypt’s four mobile network operators in January, authority head Mohamed Shamroukh told Hapi Journal.

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7

PLANET FINANCE

Crypto adoption is picking up across the MENA region, but who is leading the change?

The MENA region stands as a dynamic hub for cryptocurrency adoption, with over USD 60 bn in transactions recorded at the end of 2024 — despite economic and geopolitical tensions, according to a report from blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis. Growth has slowed down compared to last year, yet it remains strong, showing the sector’s resilience and versatility across diverse national contexts. Regional crypto adoption grew 33% y-o-y in the fiscal year 2024-2025, with Turkey, the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia leading the regional index.

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

Leading the region is Turkey, with nearly USD 200 bn in annual transactions between July 2024 and June 2025 — driven by inflation and currency instability that have pushed institutions toward crypto as an alternative investment tool. However, while institutional activity remains robust in the sector in a manner that was “rarely seen in emerging markets facing similar pressures,” retail participation shrank due to affordability issues, tighter regulations, and growing speculative altcoin trading.

As for the UAE, it saw its crypto economy grow 33% y-o-y in the fiscal year to record USD 56 bn in annual transactions. It has charted a contrasting path of regulated, institutional growth, attracting major players while also witnessing a boom in merchant-level crypto use. While this growth rate is slower than the 86.4% rate seen in the previous period, “it still demonstrates steady continuity in the country’s crypto economy.”

The bigger picture: India led the 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index, followed by the US, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Brazil.

Redefining crypto’s place in global financial systems: “As the region continues to face economic and geopolitical challenges, these adaptation patterns offer valuable insights into digital assets’ evolving role in the global financial landscape,” the report said.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asian markets are mixed in early trading this morning as investors digest China’s inflation data which was released over the weekend. South Korea’s Kospi is up 2.8%, while Japan’s Nikkei and the Hang Seng are looking at more modest gains. The Shanghai Composite is flat.

EGX30

40,822

+2.2% (YTD: +37.3%)

USD (CBE)

Buy 47.27

Sell 47.41

USD (CIB)

Buy 47.29

Sell 47.39

Interest rates (CBE)

21.00% deposit

22.00% lending

Tadawul

11,244

-0.5% (YTD: -6.6%)

ADX

10,075

+0.5% (YTD: +7.0)

DFM

6,025

+0.1% (YTD: +16.8%)

S&P 500

6,729

+0.1% (YTD: +14.4%)

FTSE 100

9,683

-0.6% (YTD: +18.5%)

Euro Stoxx 50

5,567

-0.8% (YTD: +13.7%)

Brent crude

USD 64.04

+0.6%

Natural gas (Nymex)

USD 4.45

+3.2%

Gold

USD 4,061

+1.3%

BTC

USD 106,500

+4.4% (YTD: +13.3%)

S&P Egypt Sovereign Bond Index

958.68

+0.1% (YTD: +23.3%)

S&P MENA Bond & Sukuk

151.95

+0.1% (YTD: +8.6%)

VIX (Volatility Index)

19.08

-2.2% (YTD: +10.0%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The EGX30 rose 2.2% at yesterday’s close on turnover of EGP 5.5 bn (14.5% above the 90-day average). Regional investors were the sole net sellers. The index is up 37.3% YTD.

In the green: GB Corp (+5.7%), Eastern Company (+5.3%), and Arabian Cement (+4.9%).

In the red: Raya Holding (-1.7%), Rameda (-1.4%), and Ibnsina Pharma (-1.3%).

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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

Egypt classifies education as a strategic investment sector ahead of incentive push to increase private sector appetite

The government is preparing to roll out a new wave of investment offerings in Egypt’s education sector as part of efforts to attract private participation and ease pressure on public resources, a government source told EnterpriseAM. The plan will help the state achieve its aims of attracting EGP 90 bn in private education investments this fiscal year and increase the private sector’s investment contribution from a current 17-25% in recent years.

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

The Education Ministry and the General Authority for Investment and Freezones have agreed to classify education as a strategic sector under Egypt’s new investment map, our source told us. The authority has already listed 39 schools and universities among the new investment openings, with available land and ready-to-operate schools offered through ownership or usufruct agreements, as well as incentives for investors.

A new PPP framework is also being developed to build 54 language schools across various governorates, the Finance Ministry’s public-private partnership unit head Atter Hannoura told EnterpriseAM. The program will feature new incentives and eliminate previous obstacles that hindered progress. Local authorities have already allocated land for the project, with investor prequalification expected by 1Q 2026. The model aims to bridge the gap between public and private education where the state provides the land and the private partners handle construction, management, and delivery of high-quality education.

Beyond K-12 education, the government plans to attract investment in technical and agricultural education. The Education Ministry, in collaboration with the Finance Ministry, will soon offer investment opportunities to establish agricultural and vocational schools using state-owned land, including plots along the Nile, Hannoura said.

Also ongoing are discussions with several European and Gulf education-focused investment funds interested in expanding their footprint in the local market, our government source told us. These investments could come through direct partnerships or by taking advantage of new offerings from the state, given the sustained demand for education. The government is currently finalizing a package of incentives for investors, with results expected soon in tandem with ongoing smart city and urban expansion projects.

Egypt’s demographics make it an attractive market for education investors. The country had around 25.7 mn pre-university students during the 2023-2024 academic year. Children under 18 make up 43% of Egypt’s total population, including 13% under the age of four, meaning demand for education services is set to continue growing across all levels. Based on an annual population growth rate of 2.5%, total demand for basic education is projected to reach 34 mn students by 2030.

Enrollment at the secondary level stood at 12.2 mn students in 2023 and is expected to increase by an average of 6.6% annually to 14.8 mn by 2026. Private education currently represents 9.8% of secondary enrollment and is expected to rise to 10.7% by 2026. University enrollment is also on an upward trajectory, climbing from 3.2 mn students in 2023 to an expected 3.3 mn in 2026. Household spending on education is also rising, with pre-university education spending projected to reach EGP 1.8 tn between 2024 and 2030.

The availability of land has been the biggest challenge for private investors, Al Omran Schools Chairman Saber Omran told EnterpriseAM. Land in densely populated areas is either scarce or prohibitively expensive, he explained. The government’s plan to offer ready-to-operate schools or public-private partnership projects could help unlock more investment in the sector.

Currency challenges remain a deterrent for foreign investors: Exchange rate volatility and the requirement to collect tuition fees in EGP — which reduces the value of profits sent abroad — are discouraging Gulf and international investors, British International School Cairo Chairman Ahmed Samir told EnterpriseAM. He added that international schools in new urban communities currently offer the most attractive opportunities, given the high demand for premium education options. However, the mid-tier school segment continues to lack investors, leaving a gap in the market that has yet to be filled.

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CALENDAR

NOVEMBER

9-11 November (Sunday-Tuesday): The sixth edition of the TransMEA 2025 forum and exhibition, Egypt International Exhibition Center.

10 November (Monday): Capmas expected to release inflation data for October.

16-19 November (Sunday-Wednesday): Cairo ICT 2025, Egypt International Exhibition Center.

16-19 November (Sunday-Wednesday): The 12th edition of the Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion Exhibition and Forum (PAFIX 2025), Egypt International Exhibition Center.

20 November (Thursday): Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

23-25 November (Sunday-Tuesday): NEBU Expo 2025 gold and jewelry exhibition, Egypt International Exhibitions Center, New Cairo.

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

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

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

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

Mid-2025: EGX launches sustainability index.

December: Germany’s North Rhine-Westphala business delegation to land in Egypt.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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