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Monday, 8 Sep 2025

What We’re Tracking Today
Real Estate
M&a Watch
Economy
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Also On Our Radar
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Today at a glance

1

Real estate

Emaar Misr, Citystars to develop a EGP 900 bn Marassi on the Red Sea.
2

M&A WATCH

Helios eyes up to 80% of Telecom Egypt’s data center hub.
3

ECONOMY

Planning Ministry unveils the National Narrative for Economic Development.
4

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

Gov’t to kick off the search for partner to upgrade Hurghada Airport next month.
5

Automotive

Al Mansour Auto is now the agent for electric, hybrid BYD models.
6

ALSO ON OUR RADAR

Foreign reserves increase to USD 49.3 bn in August.
7

PLANET FINANCE

MENA closed 271 M&A transactions in 1H 2025.
8

BLACKBOARD

Education Ministry tightens oversight on private and international schools.

Monday, 8 Sep 2025

What We’re Tracking Today
Real Estate
M&a Watch
Economy
Automotive
Moves
Also On Our Radar
Planet Finance
Blackboard
Calendar
1

WHAT WE’RE TRACKING TODAY

Egypt to kick off the search for partner to upgrade Hurghada Airport next month

Good morning, all. Unlike the weather, the news cycle is showing no sign of cooling down. Real estate news leads the news well this morning, following the announcement of a EGP 900 bn Red Sea project courtesy of Emaar Misr and Citystars. The project will be modeled after Emaar’s flagship Marassi North Coast and is expected to be the first of many big projects announced on the Red Sea.

AND- The government has laid out its vision for the economy for the years to come with the release of the National Narrative for Economic Development. The narrative lays the roadmap for Egypt to become a trade- and export-led economy.

You asked, and we listened.

Introducing Morning Drive: your daily 10-minute audio download of the essential business headlines shaping Egypt.

Hosted by ‘Synthetic Salma’ — an AI-powered version of our Executive Editor Salma El-Saeed — you get our rigorous journalism that’s always on point, delivered on time in a consistent voice every morning.

Stay tuned for the first episode drop on 14 September.

Follow EnterpriseAM Egypt on your favorite podcast app to be the first to listen.

PSA-

WEATHER- We’re in for another warm day here in Cairo, with a high of 32°C and a low of 24°C, according to our favorite weather app.

It’s not as warm in Alexandria, which is looking at a high of 30°C and a low of 23°C.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- One platform for fee collection: Investment Minister Hassan El Khatib yesterday announced that the government will soon launch an electronic platform to streamline fee collections throughout all stages of the business cycle. The platform will encompass all economic activity and act as the single point for fee collection.

ALSO FROM EL KHATIB- The minister unveiled that the government has reduced custom clearance time from 14 days to 5.8 days, saving importers some USD 1.2 bn. The government is looking to cut clearance time to just 2 days by the end of 2025. Cutting down clearance time by a single day helps save private players up to USD 150 mn, he said, adding that these savings help reduce costs and commodity prices.

#2- EgyptAlum and Bahrain’s Alba to set up USD 3 bn alumina refinery? State-owned EgyptAlum and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) will assess the feasibility of developing a USD 3 bn alumina refining plant in Egypt, according to an EGX disclosure (pdf). The details of the project weren’t disclosed.

SOUND SMART- Alumina is the primary raw material used in aluminum manufacturing.

REMEMBER- The government was in talks with Alba last year to establish a factory to produce bauxite — the raw material used in the production of aluminum — in the Red Sea’s Ras Ghareb.

The first of many Egyptian-Bahraini projects? Egypt and Bahrain agreed to implement joint projects exceeding USD 600 mn during Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s visit to Cairo, a government official told Asharq Business. The two countries signed eight MoUs and agreements to boost cooperation across several sectors last week, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said without disclosing any details.

The two nations want to increase their annual trade volume to USD 1.5 bn over the coming two years, up from USD 661 mn in 2024.

HAPPENING TOMORROW-

The government will announce the ins and outs of the financing initiative to revive and restructure idle factories tomorrow, Industry Minister Kamel El Wazir said yesterday. The plan will see the establishment of a dedicated fund with participation from the Central Bank of Egypt and local banks, which will provide financing in exchange for equity stakes of up to 25% in idle or struggling factories.

The initiative targets some 6k factories across sectors, with the goal of restoring their production capacity, boosting industrial output, and creating jobs, El Wazir said.

We saw this coming: A government source told us in December that the government is mulling reopening 12k stalled factories, approving immediate reopenings and waiving accumulated penalties for previously operational facilities, as part of an initiative to streamline administrative hurdles in the industry and support the sector.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

So, when will we see progress on the plan to develop the country’s airports through PPPs? The Madbouly government will launch the tender to select a strategic private partner for maintaining, operating, and upgrading the Hurghada International Airport next February, Civil Aviation Minister Sameh Elhefny told El Hekaya’s Amr Adib (watch, runtime: 53:19). Prior to that, interested private sector players will have the chance to submit their request for qualification between mid-October and early November, he added.

REMEMBER- The International Finance Corporation (IFC) unveiled a list of 11 Egyptian airports slated for development through public-private partnerships back in March. Hurghada International Airport will serve as a pilot project for the program.

What about the plans to set up Cairo Airport Terminal 4? Elhefny said that the USD 4.5 bn fourth passenger terminal at Cairo International Airport, first announced in 2019, will be completed within four years after securing the cabinet’s approval. The terminal will have a capacity of 30-40 mn passengers annually, double the capacity currently held in the three existing terminals, he said.

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

FACT CHECK-

Oriental Weavers put delisting rumours to bed: Oriental Weavers denied reports that it will be delisting from the EGX, it said in a disclosure (pdf).

** 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 the recent wave of Turkish investments into Egypt — Turkish companies have invested around USD 500 mn in Egypt so far this year. Check out the story here.

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

The global press zeroed in on US President Donald Trump’s “last warning” to Hamas, as he continued to push the group to accept the terms of his ceasefire and hostage release agreement. “The Israelis have accepted my Terms … It is time for Hamas to accept as well,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff last week delivered the proposal to Hamas — the proposal includes releasing all 48 remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for ending Israel’s war on Gaza.. (Bloomberg | Reuters | Axios | AFP | BBC)

ON THE TARIFFS FRONT- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the Trump administration may have to return as much as USD 1 tn in collected tariffs if the Supreme Court strikes down the president’s reciprocal tariffs, writes CNBC. During an interview, Bessent said “we would have to give a refund on about half the tariffs, which would be terrible for the Treasury,” though he expressed confidence that the court would ultimately side with the administration.

AND IN SPORTS NEWS- Carlos Alcaraz reclaimed the world No. 1 spot yesterday after defeating Jannik Sinner in the US Open final. Alcaraz’s 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory handed him his second US Open and sixth Grand Slam title and a 10-5 edge in his head-to-head rivalry with Sinner. (Associated Press | BBC | New York Times)

ALSO WORTH READING THIS MORNING-

  • Are music-backed bonds the next hot thing on Wall Street? The so-called “Bowie bonds” — debt instruments backed by music royalties — are hitting the mainstream, with investors like Blackstone and Carlyle helping raise a record USD 4.4 bn in 2025. (Financial Times)
  • The death of the career ladder? As AI eats into entry-level jobs, the classic American tale of climbing from mailroom to CEO could soon be a thing of the past. Research shows a 50% drop in new roles for fresh grads at major tech firms, and with org charts flattening and AI systems working 24/7, early career development is under threat. Experts suggest the “bottom rung” may disappear entirely — but optimists say a flatter structure could just uplevel everyone. (CNBC)

*** 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 the Education Ministry’s latest efforts to tighten supervision of tuition, curricula, and services in schools.

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

2

Real estate

Emaar Misr, Citystars to develop a EGP 900 bn Marassi on the Red Sea

Introducing Marassi Red Sea: Emaar Misr and Saudi-owned real estate developer Citystars Properties will develop an EGP 900 bn integrated tourism project on the Red Sea — dubbed Marassi Red Sea — under a contract inked with the Madbouly government, according to a cabinet statement. The development is slated for completion in four years, aiming to boost the Red Sea’s status as a global tourism destination.

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

Think Marassi North Coast — but on the Red Sea: The new project is modeled after Emaar’s flagship Marassi in the North Coast, which has become a magnet for mns of visitors and a fixture on the Mediterranean tourism map. The government hopes to replicate that success in the Red Sea, positioning the area as a year-round global destination.

Here’s what you can expect from the development: The 2.4k-feddan development is located 30 minutes from Hurghada International Airport and will include 12 luxury hotels, thousands of hotel rooms and residential units, and more than 500 waterfront shops and restaurants. The project will also include a world-class marina, private beaches, and boutique marinas.

A lot more than just a summer destination: The development will house an international conference center, schools, hospitals, sports and leisure facilities, and the Marassi Wonders entertainment zone, which will include a waterpark and sports clubs. The project is expected to generate USD 200 mn in annual revenues, Emaar Misr chairman Jamal Bin Theniyah said.

Who owns what? Emaar Misr will hold 50% of the project and Citystars will own the other half, Emaar Properties founder Mohamed Alabbar told reporters.

The project will create 150k-170k direct and indirect jobs during construction. Once it officially opens its doors, the project is expected to employ 25k people.

We had an idea this was coming: Sources told Asharq Business in June that Emaar Misr was developing a 10 mn sqm integrated Red Sea tourism project in partnership with Citystars on a Citystars-owned plot. At the time, it was reported that the project will generate over EGP 500 bn in revenues once completed.

More to come? “We will see more projects in this promising area and we look forward to announcing them soon,” Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said.

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3

M&A WATCH

Helios eyes up to 80% of Telecom Egypt’s data center hub

Helios eyes majority in Telecom Egypt’s data center unit: Africa-focused and London-based PE outfit Helios Investment Partners has secured preliminary approval from Telecom Egypt’s board to acquire between 75% and 80% of a subsidiary that will own the telco’s Regional Data Hub (RDH), according to a press release (pdf). The vehicle, which will consolidate RDH’s assets through a restructuring, will focus on developing the domestic data centers scene.

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

About the bid: The binding offer values RDH at USD 230 mn for 100% of the equity, with the figure potentially rising to USD 260 mn depending on pre-agreed performance metrics. The move is still subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

Helios Investment Partners has been building up to a bigger Egypt play since last year, when it bought 49% of Raya Foods for USD 40 mn. The PE firm flagged plans to channel as much as USD 250 mn into Egyptian acquisitions across a range of sectors, including fintech, digital infrastructure, and consumer goods.

ADVISORS- Our friends at EFG Hermes are acting as sole M&A financial advisor on the transaction. Adsero-Ragy Soliman & Partners and A&O Shearman are providing legal counsel.

IN CONTEXT- Egypt is emerging as a key African data center market, alongside Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. The country’s location, digital initiatives, and connectivity upgrades are drawing investors, with demand for cloud services supporting its role as a hub for locally hosted content.

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4

ECONOMY

Inside Egypt’s National Narrative for Economic Development

What’s the government’s vision for the economy through 2030? The Planning Ministry yesterday launched the National Narrative for Economic Development, laying out a roadmap to sustain reforms and push the economy toward trade- and export-led growth, according to a statement. Planning Minister Rania Al Mashat described the narrative — launched under the theme ‘Policies Supporting Growth and Employment’ — as “an integrated framework that achieves coherence between the government’s work program and Egypt Vision 2030.”

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

TL;DR: “The narrative is about the government’s vision, sectoral strategies, and how they are tied to quantitative targets. Traditionally, economic reform programs have been financial and monetary focused. What we discussed today goes deeper: it’s a real economic program,” Al Mashat told EnterpriseAM. “Our FDI strategy is directly linked to our industrial strategy, to job creation, and also to fiscal policy. Without macroeconomic stability, none of this would be possible,” she contiuned, adding that we can expect the growth result for 4Q 2024-2025 later this month.

The five-year vision prioritizes manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, energy, and ICT, while positioning the state as regulator and enabler. It also builds on Egypt’s structural reform program with a focus on three main pillars: macroeconomic stability, enhancing competitiveness and business climate, and supporting the green transition.

How will the state step back? The government is tying its broader reform goals to concrete tools. The State Ownership Policy sets the boundaries of where the state remains involved and where the private sector should take over, either through partnerships or exits. To carry this out we have two dedicated cabinet units and the Sovereign Fund of Egypt. Alongside this, 59 of 63 economic authorities in the country are under review for restructuring, merger, or liquidation.

The National Narrative sets out clear quantitative goals through 2030: Growth is targeted to rise to 7%, compared to the 4.5% projected for the current fiscal year. Total investments are expected to reach 18% of GDP by 2030, up from 15.2% this year.

Private sector participation to increase significantly under the plan: Private investments are expected to account for 66% of total investments and make up 11.9% of GDP by 2030. As for public investment, green projects are projected to make up 70-75% of all public investments, by 2030, compared to 50% in the current fiscal year. The narrative also targets stronger job creation, with the economy projected to generate 1.5 mn jobs a year by 2030, up from 900k this year.

As for debt: The government wants to take debt to “the lowest level ever seen in the country’s history” during the period of the plan, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly said. He also highlighted the government’s commitment to sustain 20% annual export growth over the next five years.

It was a full house for the launch event, with Investment Minister Hassan El Khatib, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk, Oil Minister Karim Badawi, Industry Minister Kamel El Wazir, and more in attendance.

Kouchouk touched on the outcome of last fiscal year’s tax reforms: “Tax revenues grew 35% last fiscal year — more than EGP 600 bn — without the introduction of any new taxes, tax hikes, or additional burdens on citizens or investors,” he said, adding that this marks “an exceptional figure we haven’t seen since 2005.”

And more to come: The long-anticipated package of real estate tax relief will be announced “very soon,” he said.

Al Mashat made the rounds last night to walk the nation’s talking heads through the ins and outs of the five-year plan. She virtually joined Al Hekaya’s Amr Adib (watch, runtime: 16:01) and Ala Masouleety’s Ahmed Moussa (watch, runtime: 2:15).

What’s next? The narrative will be open for public consultation and community dialogue over the next few months. The final version of the narrative will be released in December.

The full narrative will be available online on the Planning Ministry’s website on 14 September.

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5

Automotive

Al Mansour Auto is now the agent for electric, hybrid BYD models in Egypt

Al Mansour Automotive secured the agency for electric and hybrid BYD models in cooperation with Al Futtaim Group, with plans to begin local manufacturing and exports to the Gulf and Africa, sources with knowledge of the matter 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.)

As things stand: BYD has become a staple on Egyptian streets but never had an agent in the country, with its models entering the country through parallel imports and individual purchases. Al Mansour Auto is currently selecting the models it wants to bring to Egypt. The company will also offer after-sales services and updated pricing mechanisms, according to the sources.

New EV incentives are in the pipeline: The government is preparing to offer fresh incentives to localize the EV industry, a government source told EnterpriseAM. The Supreme Council for Automotive Industry is reviewing a package of tax, customs, and investment incentives for companies interested in establishing EV production in Egypt. Additional incentives are also under consideration for EVs with a local component ratio of over 60%, a government source has previously told us.

At the moment, a flat 2% customs duty is applied on all imported equipment. But EV manufacturers receive an exemption from stamp tax and registration fees for a five-year period. In addition to that, subsidies of EGP 50k are provided for the first 100 locally manufactured EVs.

The new package would link incentives to production volumes, local content ratios, and investment in localizing key components. Additional incentives could be offered to companies that establish manufacturing technologies to reach full domestic production within five years. The program would also include expedited customs clearance for imported components used in production.

REMEMBER– The revamped seven-year Automotive Industry Development Program kicked off in July with the goal of attracting more investments and deepening the localization of the sector. Under the program, makers of vehicles costing no more than EGP 1.25 mn for consumers can receive up to EGP 150k in incentives in the form of tax and customs deductions.

To qualify, companies assembling and manufacturing EVs will start out with a minimum annual production quota of 1k vehicles, which will be raised to 7k by the end of the program. EVs will also have a 10% local component ratio to meet, which will be reviewed annually.

Already bearing fruit? EV companies are expected to strengthen their presence in the local market in the near future amid talks with the government over new incentives, the sources said.

ICYMI- The government has recently raised EV charging tariffs to encourage the development of EV infrastructure and address profitability concerns of charging infrastructure firms.

The expansion of charging infrastructure is expected to support demand for EVs. Despite higher upfront costs, upcoming increases in fuel prices could make EVs more cost-efficient than traditional vehicles, according to the sources.

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6

Moves

Mahmoud Sofrata named new VP for ICT Markets Development at ITIDA

CIT Minister Amr Talaat appointed Mahmoud Sofrata (LinkedIn) as vice president for ICT Markets Development at the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), according to a press release. Sofrata brings over 25 years of experience in business development, strategic transformation, and tech entrepreneurship at multinationals. Sofrata joined ITIDA last year as director of ICT Markets Development.

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7

ALSO ON OUR RADAR

Egypt’s foreign reserves increase to USD 49.3 bn in August

BANKING-

Foreign reserves rose again to USD 49.25 bn at the end of August, marking a USD 215 mn increase from July, according to data released by the Central Bank of Egypt. This rise was driven by a USD 449 mn increase in gold reserves, which helped offset a USD 94 mn decrease in foreign currency holdings and a USD 140 mn drop in Special Drawing Rights.

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

MANUFACTURING-

Rock Steel wants to expand locally: Homegrown metal pipes manufacturer RockSteel wants to set up a new EGP 1.5 bn factory in Beni Suef to produce a specific type of stainless steel used in car manufacturing, Asharq Business reports. The new plant is expected to go online in 2027 and is set to push the company’s monthly production capacity to 9k tons from 6k tons at the moment.

FINTECH-

Bokra relaunches its digital platform: Local fintech startup Bokra relaunched its mobile app with enhanced features for shariah-compliant digital savings and investments, according to a statement (pdf). The new features are backed by AI-driven technologies, “giving clients a smoother, more secure, and highly personalized savings and investment journey,” CEO Ayman El Sawy said.

DEBT WATCH-

Raya Holding subsidiary Raya Integration secured a EGP 1.13 bn credit facility from the Industrial Development Bank (IDB), according to a bourse disclosure (pdf). The company will use the financing to expand its digital transformation projects and enhance its technological infrastructure.

This marks Raya Integration’s second loan in as many months, as the company secured a EGP 1 bn integrated credit facility from Midbank in August to fund its growth plans.

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8

PLANET FINANCE

MENA closed 271 M&A transactions in 1H 2025

M&A momentum in MENA bucks global trend: The Middle East recorded 271 transactions in 1H 2025, up 19% y-o-y, even as global M&A volumes fell 9%, according to PwC’s latest TransAct Middle East report (pdf).

The region’s performance comes as sovereign capital, regulatory reforms, and diversification agendas give dealmakers room to maneuver, even as oil prices soften and financing costs rise. The IMF has forecast GDP growth of 2.6% for MENA this year, up from 1.8% a year earlier, even as lower oil prices and higher financing costs weigh on exporters. The dealflow reflects those pressures, with buyers gravitating toward mid-sized, policy-driven transactions in digital infrastructure, healthcare, and green industry. In the absence of a global rebound, the region is leaning on domestically anchored M&A to sustain momentum.

The UAE retained its regional lead with 95 transactions in 1H 2025, while Egypt nearly doubled its tally to 86, and Saudi Arabia closed 59 plays. Together, the three markets accounted for 89% of all regional activity in 1H. Cross-border flows increasingly remained within the region, with intra-MENA transactions climbing to 134, which PwC says is a sign of “growing integration and investor confidence across the region.”

Transaction values tell a more cautious story: Nearly all of disclosed M&A came in at under USD 100 mn, while no megadeals of over USD 5 bn were struck for the second year running and only six transactions cleared the USD 100 mn mark. Smaller, faster-to-close agreements have become the preferred play as buyers target assets that can be financed without stretching balance sheets, particularly in volatile rate and oil environments. PwC also says this reflects a deliberate tilt toward targeted acquisitions that add capabilities and align with state priorities, rather than scale-for-scale’s sake.

Large-cap activity was scarce but still notable: Maaden’s USD 964 mn purchase of a 20.6% stake in Aluminium Bahrain stood out in industrials, while Elm’s USD 907 mn takeover of Thiqah reinforced Saudi Arabia’s push in digital services. Egypt saw one of its biggest recent plays with Al Ezz Group’s USD 881 mn acquisition of Ezz Steel, and Saudi’s Smart Accommodation added scale through its USD 666 mn buyout of Al Nakhla Management.

Sovereign wealth funds + corporates remain a decisive force: Gulf funds have funneled more of their firepower back home, with ADQ allocating 85% of its capital domestically in the first half of the year. That capital is underwriting the energy transition, localizing supply chains, and building digital sovereignty. Corporates anchored most of the transaction volume, while private equity funds sustained their role in cross-border transactions.

Sector trends mirrored the broader economic shift, with financial services leading activity with about 70 transactions, compared to 44 in 1H 2024. Egypt’s Qardy became the first local fintech to close a SPAC merger, raising USD 23 mn. Technology and telecoms were dominated by infrastructure rather than consumer apps, with G42’s USD 2.2 bn acquisition of a 40% stake in Khazna Data Center Holdings marking the half’s biggest transaction.

The outlook: Dealmaking is expected to remain concentrated in digital infrastructure, healthcare, and green industry, with sovereign backing and regulatory clarity keeping pipelines steady. Mid-sized, state-aligned plays are set to dominate through year-end, leaving the Middle East as one of the few regions where M&A is still gathering pace.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

Asia-Pacific markets are broadly in the green this morning, with Japan’s stock markets jumping on the back of the country’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba resigning over the weekend after less than one year in office. The Nikkei is up 1.6%, while the Topix is up 1% to a record high. Elsewhere in the region, South Korea’s Kospi and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index are all trading up.

Across the pond, futures suggest that Wall Street will also open in the green later today, while investors will be keeping a close eye on inflation data coming out at the tail-end of the week.

EGX30

34,455

-0.9% (YTD: +15.9%)

USD (CBE)

Buy 48.43

Sell 48.56

USD (CIB)

Buy 48.45

Sell 48.55

Interest rates (CBE)

22.00% deposit

23.00% lending

Tadawul

10,594

-0.6% (YTD: -12.0%)

ADX

10,034

-0.2% (YTD: +6.5%)

DFM

5,989

+0.3% (YTD: +16.1%)

S&P 500

6,482

-0.3% (YTD: +10.2%)

FTSE 100

9,208

-0.1% (YTD: +12.7%)

Euro Stoxx 50

5,318

-0.5% (YTD: +8.6%)

Brent crude

USD 66.06

+0.9%

Natural gas (Nymex)

USD 3.11

+2.2%

Gold

USD 3,626

-0.7%

BTC

USD 111,039

+0.6% (YTD: +18.8%)

S&P Egypt Sovereign Bond Index

912.86

+0.1% (YTD: +17.4%)

S&P MENA Bond & Sukuk

149.46

+0.5% (YTD: +6.8%)

VIX (Volatility Index)

15.18

-0.8% (YTD: -12.5%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The EGX30 fell 0.9% at yesterday’s close on turnover of EGP 4.1 bn (7.8% below the 90-day average). Local investors were the sole net sellers. The index is up 15.9% YTD.

In the green: Ibnsina Pharma (+3.9%), Emaar Misr (+3.9%), and Beltone Holding (+2.3%).

In the red: Arabian Cement (-3%), Palm Hills Development (-2.5%), and GB Corp (-2.4%).

CORPORATE ACTIONS-

#1- Orascom Development will distribute a dividend of EGP 0.38 per share on 25 September, according to a disclosure (pdf).

#2- Premium Healthcare to move to the EGX main market: Premium Healthcare will move from the EGX’s small and medium enterprises (SME) market to the main market on 11 September, after the EGX’s Listing Committee greenlit the move. This comes after the company increased its issued and paid-up capital to EGP 2.4 bn from EGP 81.5 mn.

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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
9

BLACKBOARD

Education Ministry tightens oversight on private and international schools

The Education Ministry is rolling out new measures to tighten supervision of tuition, curricula, and services in private and international schools. This comes as schools face rising costs — on the back of the latest increase in minimum wage — currency pressures, and parental pushback on fees.

IN CONTEXT- International schools kicked off the 2025-2026 academic year this week, while private and public schools will open their doors during the week of 20 September.

Tuition fees under the spotlight: The ministry is dispatching committees to private and international schools to ensure tuition fees match the quality of services provided, a government source told EnterpriseAM. This comes after the ministry rejected requests from schools for above-average fee increases to cover expected cost hikes. Schools found to be overcharging or breaching annual increase caps could face penalties.

The cap on fee hikes remains unchanged: The ministry has kept the limits up to which private and international schools were permitted to raise their tuition fees in effect for the 2025-2026 academic year for the third year running, Private School Owners Association Deputy Chairman Badawy Allam told EnterpriseAM.

REMEMBER- The Education Ministry in September 2023 introduced a tiered system of caps ontuition fee increases at private schools, with higher-priced schools facing tighter limits. Schools charging EGP 40k and above are limited to a 6% increase for the current academic year, while schools that charged smaller fees were allowed to increase fees at a greater level, all the way to 25% for schools charging less than EGP 6k. For high-end international schools, fee increases for those charging EGP 100k or more were capped at 6%, while those charging less could increase fees by up to 10% depending on how much they charged.

The crackdown goes beyond tuition, as the ministry is moving to regulate areas where schools have traditionally added hidden costs. Schools are now barred from forcing parents to buy uniforms from designated vendors, a step aimed at preventing inflated pricing. The ministry has also introduced a new formula for calculating school bus fees, allowing schools to charge only the actual operating costs of transport plus a 10% margin. It has warned that any school found in violation of these official instructions will face legal action, as part of efforts to curb arbitrary pricing and ensure fairness across the sector.

Why is this important? Former parliamentary education committee member Magda Nassar told EnterpriseAM that the measures are a much-needed step to bring order to Egypt’s fragmented private education market. By tying fees more closely to service quality and introducing tighter controls on ancillary costs, the ministry is signaling a shift toward more transparent, regulated operations in a sector long criticized for uneven standards and opaque pricing.

National curriculum requirements are back in focus: The ministry is once again stressing that international schools must teach the required subjects from the national curriculum. International schools will also be required to purchase the Arabic-language textbook from the ministry.

ICYMI- The Education Ministry last year announced that it would add grades from Arabic, religious studies, history, and social studies to students’ end-of-year grades starting this academic year at international schools. A government source told EnterpriseAM that there would be no reversal of the decision, though the ministry is open to simplifying the content during the initial rollout.

What’s next? The new oversight system — if enforced consistently — could reshape how private schools budget, price, and deliver education. But with wage reforms and cost inflation still weighing on operators, pressure to revisit tuition brackets could resurface as the year unfolds.

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CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER

6-8 September (Saturday-Monday): Metal and Steel Exhibition, Egypt International Exhibition Center.

8-11 September (Monday-Thursday): The Egyptian-Tunisian Joint High Committee will take place.

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

9-11 September (Tuesday-Thursday): The International Exhibition for Paper, Corrugated Board, Paperboard and Tissue Paper Industries — PAPER-ME — takes place at the Egypt International Exhibition Center.

10 September (Wednesday): Capmas and CBE to release inflation data for August.

11 September (Thursday): Orascom Construction lists on ADX.

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

17-18 September (Wednesday-Friday): The 2025 Cairo Regional Forum on Financing Renewables, Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia, Nile University, Cairo.

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

30 September (Tuesday): The Egypt-South Korea Economic Cooperation and Partnership Forum.

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

1 October (Wednesday): Applications for alternative housing for old rent tenants will open through an online platform or at post offices nationwide.

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

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

7-8 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): HACE-Hotel Expo, Egypt International Exhibitions Center.

7-9 October (Tuesday-Thursday): EgyMedica Exhibition, Cairo International Convention Center.

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

19-20 October (Sunday-Monday): Egypt to host the fifth edition of the Aswan Forum.

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.

Mid-October: Capmas to publish the findings of its 2023-2024 income and expenditure survey.

NOVEMBER

1 November (Saturday): The official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum.

16-19 November (Sunday-Wednesday): Cairo ICT 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.

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.

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.

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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