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Tuesday, 5 Aug 2025

What We're Tracking Today
Ipo
Automotive
Automotive
Automotive
Banking
Egp Watch
Startup Watch
Also On Our Radar
Planet Finance
Going Green
Calendar

NPC makes its EGX debut today — and we have lots of auto news for you

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Today at a glance

1

IPO

The National Printing Company makes its EGX debut today. Here’s why it thinks you should like its shares.
2

Automotive

Abou Ghali Auto looks to become an export powerhouse with made-in-Egypt Sandstorm pickup truck.
3

Automotive

Fresh incentives to drive local assembly of commercial vehicles are now in the works.
4

Automotive

Automotive sales rose in June for the fifth straight month.
5

Banking

Net foreign assets climb again, hit USD 14.9 bn in June.
6

EGP Watch

EGP hits 12-month high as it extends gains against the greenback.
7

Startup watch

Wuilt raises USD 2 mn in funding to take e-commerce model regional.
8

Also on our Radar

The revamped Old Rent Law is the new law of the land.
9

PLANET FINANCE

US tariffs are pushing Chinese manufacturers to consider repatriating offshore production.

Tuesday, 5 Aug 2025

What We're Tracking Today
Ipo
Automotive
Automotive
Automotive
Banking
Egp Watch
Startup Watch
Also On Our Radar
Planet Finance
Going Green
Calendar
1

What We're Tracking Today

PMI figures for July out today

Good morning, wonderful people, and happy hump day to you all. We have another very packed issue for you this morning, starting with the inside story of why National Printing thinks you should like its shares when it makes its EGX debut later this morning.

It’s also an automotive-heavy issue. Our friends at Abou Ghali Auto are angling to become a significant export player when they launch the made-in-the-UAE Sandstorm S24 — a rare double-cab pickup truck that companies have already signaled they like. Abou Ghali is building a plant to make the S24 in Egypt for export, with assembly set to start next year.

The news comes as the Madbouly government is preparing incentives for the domestic commercial vehicle assembly industry, as we exclusively report — and as automotive sales grew in July for a fifth straight month, according to fresh sales numbers out overnight.

SMART POLICY- The nation’s burgeoning solar energy industry could get a helping hand as players lobby for wide-ranging tax and customs exemptions. Cabinet, it seems, is listening.

And we have some good macro indicators for you, including EGP hit a 12-month high against the USD and net foreign assets in the banking system climbed again.

All of this and more in this morning’s news well, below.

PSA-

WEATHER- Cairo is in for another sunny day, with a high of 35°C and a low of 25°C, according to our favorite weather app.

It’s a little cooler in Alexandria, with a high of 32°C and a low of 24°C.

In the third issue of our Destination Sahel series, we’re taking a look at how Sahel could become a year-round destination, the architecture underpinning new developments, and the impact of coastal cities on our shores.

Look for Destination Sahel, Issue III, in your inbox tomorrow.

Missed the first two issues? Tap or click here to read the full series.

HAPPENING TODAY-

#1- The National Printing Company will begin trading under the ticker NAPR.CA in just a few hours’ time, capping an IPO that raised c. EGP 449.9 mn by offering a 10% stake in the company. We have the rundown on the company and its equity story in this morning’s news well, below.

#2- The business community and policy makers will be hoping non-oil private sector activity breaks its four-month streak in the red, with S&P Global set to release its Purchasing Managers Index report for July later today. Our last reading saw the country’s headline figure drop to 48.8 in June from 49.5 in May, taking us further below the 50.0 mark that separates growth from contraction.

DATA POINT- Our non-oil activity has only spent three months in expansion territory in the 55 months since November 2020.

#3- The Edugate annual fair will soon be over at the Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski Hotel in New Cairo. The three-day event that ends today features universities from Egypt and across the world, in addition to scholarship providers, education financing companies, training institutes, and more.

WATCH THIS SPACE-

#1- UAE-based NRTC Food Holding has acquired Egypt’s Al Hashemeya Farms in Wadi El Natrun, one of largest private agri complexes in the region, according to a press release. The 10k-feddan farm is 70% cultivated and yields over 70k tons of crops per year — including citrus, mango, olives, wheat, sugar beet. “This acquisition is a pivotal milestone in our journey to control quality at the source, invest in food system resilience, and deliver fresher, better produce to our customers,” NRTC CEO Mohammed Al Refaee said.

Why it matters: The UAE is our most important regional relationship — and possibly one of the most important we have anywhere in the world. From the USD 15 bn Ras El Hekma agreement to investment in financial services, manufacturing, and more, the UAE in general (and Abu Dhabi in particular) has been a steadfast backer. Food security is critical for both countries, and NRTC isn’t alone: The UAE’s Al Dahra is a top investor in the domestic agrifoods industry and has helped slash our import bill. The company has invested some USD 250 mn here already and is deploying USD 230 mn more as the UAE builds out a global food security platform.

#2- We want to sell a lot more real estate to folks abroad: The New Urban Communities Authority inked a cooperation protocol with the Federation of Arab Engineers to promote Egyptian real estate exports in Arab markets, according to a statement. The agreement aims to support coordination between the two sides to facilitate the marketing of Egyptian real estate to non-Egyptian buyers in the region.

#3- Zahraa Maadi for Investment and Development hasn’t received any acquisition offers in a disclosure (pdf) to the EGX following the spread of reports that claimed otherwise.

EAT HERE TONIGHT-

Nobu makes its Egypt debut: Our friends at SODIC have officially brought luxury lifestyle brand Nobu to Egypt with the opening of Nobu North Coast at their Ogami project, the company said in a press release(pdf). The project marks the brand’s first foray into the Egyptian market, offering its signature Japanese fine dining experience and minimalist design aesthetic. The opening is part of a wider partnership that will see Nobu Residences and a Nobu Hotel follow at Ogami — and eventually expand to SODIC’s The Estates and Eastown District New Cairo.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

Income, spending data coming this October: State statistics agency Capmas will publish the findings of its 2023-2024 income and expenditure survey in mid-October, according to a statement to state-run MENA news agency. Capmas said the release follows international best practices and aims to support evidence-based policymaking.

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

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

THE BIG STORY ABROAD-

It’s a thoroughly mixed bag of headlines in the global business press this morning, with everything from the latest tariff threats from Washington against India, to Israel saying it’s coming up with “next steps” on Gaza.

Israel’s security cabinet is set to meet this week “to direct the IDF” on how to achieve the country’s “objectives” on Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday, referring to Tel Aviv’s goals to wipe out Hamas and rescue the remaining Israeli hostages. Netanyahu’s remarks — which come as the death toll from Israel’s attacks on Gaza surpass 60k — are reportedly being met with some disagreements within his cabinet, as some ministers and military officials see little more to be gained with continued military aggression. (Reuters | Bloomberg)

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump plans to impose “substantially” higher import tariffs on India because of its continued reliance on Russian oil imports. New Delhi — which Trump accused in a post on Truth Social of turning around and selling “much of the oil purchased” from Russia at a margin — is looking unlikely to budge on its current oil purchasing strategy despite the tariff threats. (Reuters | CNN | Financial Times)

Also worth knowing this morning:

  • Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered the country’s former president Jair Bolsonaro to be placed on house arrest (Axios)
  • Palantir’s quarterly revenues broke the USD 1 bn mark for the first time in 2Q 2025 (Financial Times | CNBC)

*** It’s Going Green day — your weekly briefing of all things green in Egypt: EnterpriseAM’s green economy vertical focuses each Tuesday on the business of renewable energy and sustainable practices in Egypt, everything from solar and wind energy through to water, waste management, sustainable building practices and how you can make your business greener, whatever the sector.

In today’s issue: We dive into the Finance Ministry’s upcoming efforts to support the solar energy sector.

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Ready. Set. Match. Somabay is proud to host its first international tennis tournament, the ITF World Tennis Tour, from 1-22 September — welcoming top-tier competition to the pristine shores of the Red Sea.

Organized by S Tennis Academy and hosted by The Kaktus Hotel & Co-Working Hub, and set against breathtaking scenery, this tournament marks another milestone in cementing Somabay’s position as a leading regional destination for sport, wellness, and world-class events.

2

IPO

The National Printing Company makes its EGX debut today. Here’s why it thinks you should like its shares.

National Printing begins trading on the EGX today under the ticker NAPR.CA following a secondary sale that was 23.6x oversubscribed. The stock will debut at EGP 21.25 per share — a markdown from its fair value, which was set at EGP 28.27 a pop.

ICYMI- The company debuted a 10% stake in a transaction that raised c. EGP 449.9 mn. Half of the offering was allocated to a Saudi investor through a private placement, while the remainder was distributed among institutional and retail investors in Egypt.

The pitch: National Printing is plugged into the kind of demand that doesn’t go away when the economy slows. Its bread and butter is printing and packaging for FMCG, healthcare, and education — industries that people keep spending on, even in tougher times.

There’s also real export upside here. The company is already a regional supplier and a local import substitute. With 80% of its cost base in EGP, National Printing says its structure allows it to generate hard currency from exports (which account for 25% of sales) while mitigating FX risk.

Being fully integrated is another plus. National Printing makes much of its own raw material and handles the full production chain, which keeps costs predictable, quality consistent, and operations efficient — an exciting story for a capital-heavy business like this.

The origin story: National Printing, founded by the El Moallem family, who had roots in the printing business dating back to 1979, has grown into one of MENA’s largest integrated printing and packaging players. The company started with Shorouk Press, then set up paper manufacturer Windsor in 2003, and formally consolidated operations under National Printing in 2006 under Grandview Investment, run by Marianne Ghali and a unit of Qalaa Holding. The company then acquired El Baddar for Packaging and launched Uniboard in 2017, now a leading regional duplex board producer. Today, the group runs four core subsidiaries serving 690 blue-chip and multinational clients across 15 sectors.

Solid growth with strong margins: In 1Q, the company booked EGP 1.7 bn in revenue and EGP 394 mn in EBITDA, translating to a 22.8% margin. For 2024, the group reported EGP 7.1 bn in revenue and EGP 1.6 bn in EBITDA, with margins hovering around 23%, reflecting a cost-efficient business model.

Timing may not be ideal, but that’s okay: National Printing is expected to see strong performance on its debut today, backed by robust financial results and its established leadership in Egypt’s printing sector, Ehab Rashad, vice chairman of Mubasher Capital Holding, told us. While summer is typically a quiet season for IPOs, Rashad noted that the offering drew solid demand, supported by broadly positive market conditions. Seif eldin Awni, managing director of Elite Financial Consultancy, acknowledged the less-than-ideal timing but said the IPO is unlikely to face the same hurdles as Bonyan, citing the smaller offering size and improved market sentiment driven by better economic indicators and easing geopolitical tensions.

Post-IPO plans: The company aims to boost exports to make up over 50% of total output over the next five years, up from 30% currently, Chairman Ibrahim El Moallem told Asharq Business. CEO Sherif El Moallem added that the company is planning to invest USD 18-20 mn by the end of 2026 to expand its capacity, targeting a 10-20% increase from its current 236k-ton production capacity.

ADVISORS- Our friends at EFG Hermes Investment Banking quarterbacked the offering as sole global coordinator, while Zulficar and Partners served as legal counsel.

WHAT’S NEXT IN THE IPO MARKET?

Also in the 2025 IPO pipeline: The EGX’s IPO pipeline dried up as the 2023-2024 currency crisis took hold — and had been weak for some time before that. REIT-like real estate operator Bonyan broke the curse this summer with its closely watched listing. Investors are particularly excited about the prospect of a Hussein Abaza-led Banque du Caire privatizing a stake through an IPO — bonus if it includes a GDR listing — while there is chatter that military-owned bottled water maker Safi and filling station owner Wataniya could go public. Two government sources told us earlier this summer that BdC, Safi, and Wataniya are in the pipeline as the state looks to raise as much as USD 5-6 bn from a “fourth wave” of privatization.

A hodge-podge of private sector companies have also flagged interest in going public, but we have even less clarity on their timelines than we do on the big three. They include Al Ahly Sabbour, Enara, Tabarak Holding, and others.

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3

Automotive

Abou Ghali Auto looks to become an export powerhouse with a made-in-Egypt version of the UAE’s Sandstorm pickup truck

Abou Ghali Auto will launch tonight the Sandstorm S24, a made-in-the-UAE double-cab pickup truck that it will start producing in Egypt in 2026 for export to regional and global markets, Chairman and CEO Moustafa Abou Ghali told EnterpriseAM yesterday. Abou Ghali is importing the S24 already-assembled from the UAE until local assembly ramps up next year.

Sandstorm’s corporate parentage is impeccable: The company is part of IHC’s Alpha Dhabi group.

Unlocking the power of trade agreements: We talk a lot at EnterpriseAM about the power of Egypt’s interlocking networks of trade agreements as a key differentiator in our FDI and export drive. One of these trade agreements — the Greater Arab Freetrade Area (GAFTA) — is the big reason Abou Ghali is bringing the S24 here. The company is positioning itself to become an automotive export powerhouse from an under-construction, USD 26 mn plant near the Gulf of Suez that will start producing in 2Q 2026.

“As we were getting to know the brand, I already knew that our sister company, Regina, exports pasta to the UAE without tariffs under the GAFTA trade agreement — automobiles are no different, I discovered,” Abou Ghali said. Our friends at Beltone Investment Banking saw the potential between Abou Ghali Auto and Sandstorm and connected the two, acting as global coordinator.

(Regina is run by Moustafa’s brother Kareem, who was a My Morning Routine column back in 2023. The company is Egypt’s largest exporter of pasta to Africa.)

What made Sandstorm so attractive? Twin-cabin pickups have effectively been off the market in Egypt since 2010, when authorities reclassified them as passenger cars. That ruling made them subject to 271% import duties — a non-starter for the local market. Made in the UAE with more than 53% local content, the S24 comes in tariff-free under GAFTA.

The market structure today: Tariffs mean the Toyota Hilux and Nissan Navara are retailing at around the EGP 4 mn mark, making them attractive only to businesses that can bring in vehicles customs-free (think: oil and gas). The S24, Abou Ghali said yesterday, will retail in the neighborhood of EGP 2 mn. Distributors sold a bit more than 1.8k pickup trucks in June 2025, the last month for which industry group AMIC has released figures.

You’ve probably seen Sandstorms on the streets here: The Traffic Police have a fleet, and Abou Ghali’s fleet sales team sold a test order in eight days, with bookings for 100 more. The buyers: Brand-name construction companies, agriculture and land reclamation firms. Even the public sector was interested. Another 335 units are on their way to Egypt now, and 75 are already sold, Abou Ghali told us.

Big plans: “Egypt’s domestic market is obviously huge, but it’s not a challenge — we’ve been in the market since 1973. What’s exciting is that we’re going to start assembling the S24 here at home at a facility we’re now building out in the northern Gulf of Suez, minutes from port. The plan is to sell 100% of production there to international markets, capitalizing on Egypt’s strong localization platform and wide network of trade agreements,” Abou Ghali says. First production is expected in 2Q 2026.

FAST FACTS-

  • Abou Ghali Auto is aiming to sell 1.5k Sandstorm S24s in Egypt this year.
  • The company is launching the truck at an event this evening.
  • Abou Ghali Auto also distributes Hyundai, Chery, Chevrolet, MG, and Geely branded vehicles.
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4

Automotive

Egypt readies fresh incentives to drive local assembly of commercial vehicles

The Madbouly government is preparing three incentive programs to boost the local production of vehicles including trucks, light commercial vehicles, minibuses, and electric taxis, a government source 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.)

There’s funding on the table: The government could allocate EGP 9.2 bn to support the new auto localization schemes this fiscal year, the source said.

Bus and truck makers could get the same perks as passenger car producers: Turck and bus makers are in talks with the government to receive the same incentives offered to passenger car manufacturers under the Automotive Industry Development Program (AIDP), Automotive Manufacturers Association head Khaled Saad told EnterpriseAM. He added that a separate program is in the works to attract more FDI into the sector and encourage importers to shift to local manufacturing.

ICYMI- 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. .

Curious about the Automotive Industry Development Program? Check out our coverage of the updated program, its new rules, and incentives here.

Local partnerships are already in the cards: MM Group for Industry and International Trade (MTI) is in negotiations with Indian truck and buses manufacturer Tata Motors to assemble one of its models in Egypt, Sales and Marketing Manager for Tata at MTI Group Akram El Sobky told Asharq Business.

SPEAKING OF AUTO LOCALIZATION- The government has commissioned Kandil Steel and Ashry Steel to prepare feasibility studies on localizing the production of steel sheet used in auto manufacturing, unnamed sources told Al Borsa. The move is part of a broader push to deepen local supply chains and support feeder industries. Both companies are eyeing the establishment of dedicated plants for the manufacturing of steel sheets to meet local demand and potentially export to neighboring countries with growing auto sectors. Yesterday, Industry Minister Kamel El Wazir met with iron manufacturers and carmakers to discuss efforts to localize the auto sheet metal industry.

IN OTHER AUTO NEWS- The natgas transition scheme is getting a second life: The Finance Ministry is looking to revive the vehicle replacement program — which aimed to swap out older cars for models running on natural gas or electricity — after it was shelved in 2022 amid supply disruptions triggered by the war in Ukraine.

REMEMBER- The Madbouly government plans to convert 220k cars to run on natural gas over the coming three years, starting with 50k units in the current fiscal year.

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5

Automotive

Egypt’s auto sales record highest figure in three years in June

Auto sales rise for fifth month in a row: Auto sales in June rose 14.8% m-o-m to 16.4k units from May’s 14.3k units, according to figures from the Automotive Marketing Information Council (Amic) seen by EnterpriseAM. This is the second month in a row that sales surpassed the 14k mark, and the highest monthly sales volume seen since June 2022, building on the rebound that began in February.

Passenger car sales rose 13.8% m-o-m to 12.7k units in June, extending the rebound in sales that started in February. Meanwhile, bus sales increased 25.1% m-o-m to 991 units, and truck sales also saw a healthy 15.8% m-o-m climb to 2.8k units.

Sales more than doubled compared to last year: Total vehicle sales surged 104.7% y-o-y in June from 8k units the year before. Passenger car sales jumped 95.9% y-o-y, truck sales surged 194%, and bus sales grew 61.7% over the same period.

REMEMBER- Auto sales saw a partial recovery last year, growing some 13.2% y-o-y with some 102.2k vehicles sold throughout the year after the market got the chance to catch its breath following a turbulent period triggered by an FX crunch that limited supply in the market and gave distributors leverage to hike prices as they pleased.

A caveat to the numbers: Amic figures are sourced from member distributors, representing the bulk — but not the entirety — of the industry.

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6

Banking

Egypt’s net foreign assets climb further to USD 14.9 bn in June

Net foreign assets in Egypt’s banking sector rose 1.6% m-o-m in June, reaching USD 14.94 bn, according to data from the Central Bank of Egypt. June’s figure represents a 15.8% y-o-y increase and continues the positive trend that started back in May, following April ’s brief decline.

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

Why do NFA’s matter? Think of NFAs as the banking system’s core financial buffer: The net difference between the foreign currency banks hold (assets like USD and EUR) and what they owe to entities abroad (liabilities). A positive and growing NFA signals health — a strong capacity to cover import bills. In that case, the EGP will generally hold steady or even appreciate. But when NFAs shrink or turn negative, it means we owe more FX than we hold — and that’s when the EGP tends to slide against key foreign currencies.

The numbers behind the trend: Commercial banks’ net foreign assets reached their highest level since February 2021, hitting a surplus of USD 4.9 bn in June, up from USD 4.8 bn in the previous month. Foreign assets in commercial banks edged up to around USD 36.2 bn, from USD 35.5 bn in May and USD 31.3 bn in April, while liabilities inched up to USD 31.3 bn during the month.

The central bank recorded a surplus of nearly USD 10.1 bn in June, up from USD 9.9 bn in May but down from USD 11.9 bn in April. Net foreign assets edged up to nearly 47.4 bn during June, up from USD 47.2 bn a month earlier, while liabilities inched up to USD 37.31 bn, a slight rise from USD 37.28 bn in the previous month.

Foreign investors see real improvement in economic conditions: Most foreign investors are taking note of the strengthening economic fundamentals, particularly noting the current account balance nearing zero — taking margin of error into account — in the 1Q this year, Al Ahly Pharos’ Head of Research Hany Genena told EnterpriseAM. “For any foreign investors, this is a dream that has come true — that Egypt has a balanced current account, despite the deficit in the oil balance and the dip in Suez Canal revenues.”

This increase directly reflects the current momentum in the local market and indicates strong incoming FX inflows, banking expert Mohamed Abdel Aal told us. Having a surplus means the banking sector’s assets with non-residents abroad exceed its debt to them, Abdel Aal noted. This simply means that “the sector has not fully utilized its external borrowing capacity and has also successfully boosted its foreign deposits,” Abdel Aal elaborated.

Foreign demand for local debt is still in play: “In June, foreign investors were net buyers in the secondary market of Egyptian treasuries by EGP 1.2 bn due to the attractive treasury yields offered, despite some mid-month foreign outflows due to the Israel-Iran war,” HC Securities’ Heba Mounir told EnterpriseAM. Another point she highlighted was Egypt’s USD 1 bn sovereign sukuk issuance in June, which was fully subscribed by Kuwait Finance House.

However, there is another angle to consider: As long as the net foreign assets are rising, this means that banks are not disbursing the FX inflows. Instead, they are holding onto them in anticipation of the potential exit of these funds again, Genena noted, adding that this strategy provides security and safeguards the state in case of events similar to those witnessed in 2022.

REMEMBER- Net foreign assets hit a record high in March, which surpassed the previous peak of USD 14.3 bn recorded in May 2024 — courtesy of the second and final tranche of the USD 35 bn Ras El Hekma agreement. Before that, Egypt had been in a prolonged net foreign asset deficit since February 2022, when the outbreak of the war in Ukraine triggered capital outflows of around USD 20 bn.

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7

EGP Watch

EGP hits 12-month high as it extends gains against the greenback

The EGP recorded its highest level against the greenback in over a year, extending its rally. The USD was changing hands at EGP 48.40-48.50 at the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr and at EGP 48.38- 48.48 at CIB, by the end of yesterday’s trading.

Surging FX flows to thank: Local banks are witnessing a significant momentum in USD inflows and the greenback is available in all banks, a banker told EnterpriseAM. This momentum is driven by seasonal tourism revenues, easing regional tensions, and the increasing interest from foreign investors and funds in our local debt and stock markets, the source added.

Investors flock to short-term debt: Short-term debt instruments remain the most attractive options for foreign investors, the banker said.

A closer look at investor appetite: The Central Bank of Egypt sold over EGP 60 bn worth of EGP-denominated t-bills during an auction on Sunday, according to data from its website. The CBE sold EGP 36.2 bn worth of three-month t-bills — it was after EGP 20 bn — and EGP 24 bn worth of nine-month t-bills, missing its target of EGP 35 bn after investors requested yields that went up to 31.0%

The strength of the EGP hasn’t brought down the yield investors are demanding at action: The bank accepted yields of up to 29.2%, a notable increase from the figures seen in June, CBE data shows.

For more on what’s driving the EGP’s rally, check out our in-depth coverage here and here.

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8

Startup watch

Wuilt raises USD 2 mn in funding to take e-commerce model regional

Cairo-based website builder Wuilt has raised USD 2 mn to power its regional expansion across MENA, according to a statement. The round saw participation from existing investors Flat6Labs and MTF VC as well as Mubadala-backed Hub71, JIMCO, Purity Tech, and a group of strategic angels.

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

Big expansion plans: The startup plans to launch in the UAE by 4Q 2025, then the rest of the GCC countries and Turkey in early 2026. The startup is also building AI tools to help merchants manage operations more efficiently.

The pivot that made headlines: Wuilt dropped all subscription fees in April 2025, offering its platform for no charge for Egyptian merchants. Its model now monetizes through value-added services like Wuilt pay, Wuilt Shipments, and Wuilt Wallet. The result? Over 20k merchants joined the platform since the pivot.

From seed to scale: Wuilt was founded in 2019 by Ahmed Rostom (LinkedIn) and Mahmoud Metwaly (LinkedIn) with the goal of becoming “the infrastructure powering small businesses and social sellers across emerging markets.”

ANOTHER USD 2 MN ROUND CLOSED-

Hospitality supply-chain startup Suplyd has raised USD 2 mn in a pre-Series A round led by 4DX Ventures, Camel Ventures, and Plus VC, and with participation from Seedstars and undisclosed existing investors, the company said in a press release(pdf). The fresh funds will help the company “build a comprehensive infrastructure for restaurant operations and expand into untapped areas across Egypt.”

Where’s the money going? Suplyd plans to use the funds to launch new service verticals, grow its geographic footprint locally, and continue simplifying restaurant backend operations.

About Suplyd: Its B2B platform offers procurement, fulfillment, and payment services to hotels, restaurants, and caterers in Greater Cairo. The company’s platform and network of tech-enabled fulfillment centers aim to streamline the hospitality supply chain, minimizing waste and improving price transparency.

NOWLUN TO CARRY OUT REGIONAL EXPANSION PLAN-

Digital logistics platform Nowlun aims to enter Morocco by the end of 2026, CEO Moataz Khamis (LinkedIn) told CNN Business. The move is part of the firm’s wider regional expansion plan after it opened a branch in Saudi Arabia. The company — launched in 2021 — works with more than 35 shipping companies, handling some 22k containers.

REMEMBER- Nowlun raised USD 1.7 mn in a seed funding round back in December then raised an additional USD 600k in June.

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9

Also on our Radar

El Sisi signs amendments to the Old Rent Law

LEGISLATION-

The revamped Old Rent Law is now law of the land: President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Monday signed into law amendments to the Old Rent Law, according to the Official Gazette. That act regulates the relationship between owners and tenants of old buildings.

REFRESHER: The legislation sets a seven-year transitional period for tenants to vacate residential units and five years for non-residential units rented by individuals, after which all old rent contracts will be scrapped. Rents will rise gradually during the transition and a digital platform will soon be launched to register tenant data and help assess the need for state housing. We have the full rundown on the amendments here.

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

INVESTMENT-

Could Vietnam become a gateway for Egyptian exports to Asia? Investment Minister Hassan El Khatib discussed ways to deepen Egyptian-Vietnamese economic ties in a meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Phan Thi Thang, according to a statement. The two sides explored boosting investment and trade, with El Khatib pitching Egypt as a competitive industrial hub for regional and international exports.

Tapping into Vietnam’s market — and expertise: Egypt sees an opportunity to use Vietnam as a springboard into Asian markets — and is positioning itself as a gateway for Vietnamese products heading to African, Arab, and European markets. El Khatib also pointed to potential cooperation in logistics and halal certification, offering technical training to help Vietnamese companies meet Egyptian and regional standards. Both sides discussed exchanging expertise and deepening collaboration in priority sectors like textile and energy.

On the sidelines: The meeting came on the sidelines of Vietnamese President Luong Cuong’sstate visit to Egypt, which aimed to boost cooperation on trade, investment, education, and green energy.

MANUFACTURING-

#1- El Khanagry Group’s Egyptian Auto Feeding will invest EGP 3 bn to set up three plants to manufacture vehicle axles. The company is targeting local assemblers, Al Mal cites Raafat El Khanagery as saying. The new factories will be located in Sadat City, Cairo and New October.

#2- IGI Groups’ Income is setting up a EUR 90 mn complex to process kaolin sand in Ain Sokhna, according to a statement. The project will produce industrial products from kaolin sand — a fine clay used in ceramics, paper, paint, and pharma. Silica sand is used in glassmaking, water filtration systems, and construction.

RENEWABLES-

Mitsubishi Power has completed Egypt and MENA’s first industrial-scale hydrogen conversion project at the Alexandria National Refining and Petrochemicals Company (ANRPC) refinery, according to a press release. The turnkey project saw Mitsubishi Power rehabilitate and upgrade a 100-ton/hour boiler to run entirely on hydrogen instead of heavy fuel oil and natural gas. The project is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 65k tons per year.

DEFENSE-

Egypt has been approved to join Turkey’s fifth-generation KAAN fighter jet development program, defense industry publication Tactical Report says. The report, which has gotten wide pickup says that the partnership would enable Egypt to co-produce and manufacture the Turkish Aerospace Industries-developed jet. An MoU on the partnership will reportedly be inked in late 2025.

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10

PLANET FINANCE

US tariffs are pushing Chinese manufacturers to consider repatriating offshore production

Trump promised to bring back manufacturing to the US, but it seems like China may be the one leading the push to onshore production. With the Trump administration’s decision to impose new tariffs on more than 90 countries starting 7 August, Chinese manufacturers are finding that the logic of offshoring production to avoid long-standing China tariffs — including from previous US administrations — may no longer make financial sense, the Financial Times reports.

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

Chinese factories abroad now face incoming US tariffs — some of which are higher than those imposed on China. The “China plus one” strategy had seen Chinese companies — often with state support — invest bns in opening up shop abroad in nearby countries to circumvent US trade restrictions and tariffs, which came to a crescendo under Trump’s first term. But with China now facing a much less severe 30% tariff — down from 145% — it makes little sense to stay in countries with higher tariff rates like Laos and Myanmar.

The impact may be felt further afield, possibly here in the MENA region. In addition to countries like Iraq facing significantly higher tariffs from China, all countries face a 40% tariff on goods understood to be transhipped from China to the US via a third country. The problem is that what qualifies as transhipped goods is not completely clear, with Chinese factories abroad that use inputs from China for production potentially falling prey to the rule. While many Chinese companies with existing operations here may stay put to wait and see, the move by the US will certainly weigh on Chinese investor sentiment for investments abroad.

But some think the move could also push Chinese companies to seek low-tariff markets outside of Southeast Asia, which is good news for countries in the region assigned the US’ baseline 10% tariff like the UAE, KSA, and Egypt. While some companies may move production back to China, others “will seek new manufacturing bases further afield,” according to Oxford Economics Asia economist Louise Loo.

MARKETS THIS MORNING-

It’s another morning with Asian markets in the green — South Korea’s Kospi is looking at gains of 1.5%, Japan’s Nikkei is up 0.6%, and the Shanghai Composite is up 0.4%. Meanwhile, the Hang Seng is in the red, down 0.2%.

EGX30

3,549

+1.3% (YTD: +16.7%)

USD (CBE)

Buy 48.38

Sell 48.51

USD (CIB)

Buy 48.38

Sell 48.48

Interest rates (CBE)

24.00% deposit

25.00% lending

Tadawul

10,839

+0.1% (YTD: -10.0%)

ADX

10,299

-0.2% (YTD: +9.3%)

DFM

6,126

+0.2% (YTD: +18.7%)

S&P 500

6,330

+1.5% (YTD: +7.6%)

FTSE 100

9,128

+0.7% (YTD: +11.7%)

Euro Stoxx 50

5,242

+1.5% (YTD: +7.1%)

Brent crude

USD 68.76

-1.3%

Natural gas (Nymex)

USD 2.94

+0.4%

Gold

USD 3,429

+0.1%

BTC

USD 115,310

+1.0% (YTD: +23.2%)

S&P Egypt Sovereign Bond Index

883.79

+0.1% (YTD: +13.7%)

S&P MENA Bond & Sukuk

147.17

+0.2% (YTD: +5.2%)

VIX (Volatility Index)

17.52

-14.0% (YTD: +1.0%)

THE CLOSING BELL-

The EGX30 rose 1.3% at yesterday’s close on turnover of EGP 4.2 bn (18.6% below the 90-day average). International investors were the sole net sellers. The index is up 16.7% YTD.

In the green: Qalaa Holdings (+4.9%), E-finance (+4.0%), and Eastern Company (+2.7%).

In the red: Emaar Misr (-1.7%), Fawry (-1.4%), and Orascom Construction (-1.3%).

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Our weekly deep dive into the green economy and ESG issue in Egypt.

Published every Tuesday in EnterpriseAM.

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Going Green

Egypt’s solar energy sector could soon be given wide-ranging tax and customs exemptions

The Finance Ministry is studying a new package of incentives to support the solar energy sector, which includes exempting solar power plant components from customs duties and value-added tax, Hatem Tawfik, secretary general of the sustainable energy division at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce and managing director of Cairo Solar, told EnterpriseAM. The proposed incentives also include exempting solar plant contracts from taxes, replicating previously applied incentives for green hydrogen projects.

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

Applying the proposed tax exemptions on solar power plant components could reduce the final cost of building solar plants by up to 30%, Tawfik said. The expected payback period would be 2.5-6 years, facilitating investments for small-medium projects in the sector.

This is significant, given that prices of solar energy components have recently increased in Egypt despite the temporary global declines, regional director for the Middle East and Africa at China-based Trina Solar Ahmed El Mosallamy told EnterpriseAM. He explained that the global price drop was pushed by a reduction in subsidies provided to manufacturers in China from 13% to 9%. This decline may not reflect on the local market due to the rising of other costs and exchange rate fluctuations, El Mosallamy said.

The government is also mulling offering tax breaks, or temporary property tax exemptions, for buildings equipped with solar stations, as well as reductions or exemptions from income taxes for investors and users, according to a proposal submitted by the Sustainable Energy Development Association to the Finance Ministry seen by EnterpriseAM.

Initiatives, like the Sustainable Energy Development Association’s (SEDA) Shams Misr, will also play a part in supporting the sector. Shams Misr aims to accelerate the establishment and operation of medium-sized solar power plants of up to 50 MW for industrial, commercial, and residential projects connected to the national grid. “This move will significantly expand the demand base and create new momentum for Egypt’s solar energy market," El Mosallamy told us.

The government is looking to reduce investment costs of projects and increase competitiveness of solar energy for household and industrial use amid growing interest in reducing dependence on traditional energy sources. “Installing a 1 GW solar power plant saves 330 tons of equivalent fuel annually,” Tawfik explained.

But, incentives must be carefully designed and closely monitored in their implementation. El Mosallamy noted the importance of crafting precisely targeted incentives to ensure they reach only the right beneficiaries — whether in the form of exemptions or financing. He stressed that having committees to oversee the actual on-ground implementation of projects is essential, considering that some models are already being reviewed by independent bodies to verify the actual installation of the solar plants.

These measures are part of a broader set of proposals submitted by SEDA to the Finance Ministry, including a call to establish a new financing fund under the same name of its Shams Misr initiative. The fund aims to support the energy transition by providing concessional loans to developers and investors, whether individuals or companies, Tawfik said. The government has given a positive initial response to the proposal, he added.

Another proposal is to allocate EGP 0.01 from every KW/h from electricity bills to the proposed fund, which would provide an estimated EGP 1.7-2 bn annually at the very least. The proposals also suggest a carbon tax on factories that are heavy emitters of greenhouse gases, in addition to a tax on companies producing low-efficiency electrical equipment. The proposal also includes a carbon tax on high-emission vehicles.

Expanding the adoption of solar energy across various sectors will help reduce the burden of government subsidies for electricity, especially as the state moves forward with its gradual subsidy phase-out in line with the fiscal reform program, El Mosallamy said. Such incentives support the goal of fully liberalizing the energy market, he added.

The sector is sufficiently equipped to scale up decentralized projects and green transition efforts, we were told. Egypt currently possesses the sufficient infrastructure and technical expertise to establish decentralized solar plants with a total capacity that could reach 10 GW/h, which stands as a strategic opportunity to support the country's green transition efforts and emission reduction without having to wait for large centralized projects, Tawfik said.

The Finance Ministry is open to the proposals, and seeks to assess their financial impact and determine appropriate implementation mechanisms for them, Tawfik revealed. If approved, these incentives could stand as a turning point in the spread of rooftop solar energy systems for homes, factories, and farms — opening the door for a wider segment of users and investors to participate in the shift towards a low-carbon economy, Tawfik believes.

Incentives could pave the way for expanding local manufacturing of solar components. El Mosallamy said that the possibility of establishing a Trina Solar factory in Egypt depends on the true volume of local demand, which remains below the threshold that would incentivize local manufacturing at this stage. However, the introduction of incentives and growing market momentum could prompt the company to reconsider this direction, especially given the availability of raw materials locally, he said.

Your top green economy stories for the week:

  • Hong Kong-based United Energy Group and China’s Longi Green Energy will develop a 20 MW hybrid solar plant in Egypt under a strategic cooperation memorandum they signed. The plant will generate enough power for 6k households and contribute to emission reduction.
  • Korra Energi will build a USD 1 mn hybrid solar plant for the Esh El Mallaha Petroleum Company, which will serve one of its oil fields. The 1.4 MW project will be integrated with Korra’s existing 3.5 MW flare gas recovery project at the site.
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CALENDAR

AUGUST

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

5 August (Tuesday): S&P Global to release its July Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) report for Egypt.

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

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

8 August (Friday): Capmas expected to release inflation data for July.

12 August (Tuesday): Egyptian Tax Authority deadline for pre-2020 tax dispute settlement requests.

12 August (Tuesday): Capmas expected to release unemployment data for 2Q 2025.

12 August (Tuesday): National Election Authority to announce Senate election results.

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.

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.

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.

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

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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