Egypt Edition 
UAE Edition 
Saudi Edition 
MENA <> India Corridor 
Logistics (MENA) 
Climate (MENA) 
Here's what we're tracking today
Analysts see the CBE holding rates tomorrow
Privatization progress | Support from Japan | Real estate tax app.
Wednesday, 1 April 2026
On ice
Good morning, friends, and welcome to April. We ring in the new month and the second quarter of the year with mixed sentiment — analysts expect the central bank to pause its easing cycle as the regional war continues and the Madbouly government is getting serious about its privatization plans, setting a 30-day deadline to temporarily list 20 companies on the EGX.
Today at a Glance
Podcasts
Morning Drive is your daily download of the essential headlines shaping Egypt. Hosted by ‘Synthetic Salma’ — an AI-powered version of Executive Editor Salma El-Saeed.
PlaylistListen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Investment Watch
M&A Watch
Explore EnterpriseAM for your industry
A close look at key activities driving headlines across industries
Privatization Watch
Egypt to temporarily list 20 state-owned companies on the EGX this month
Good morning, friends, and welcome to April. We ring in…
Gov’t signals privatization is war-proof with plans to temporarily list 13 companies this month
Thirteen pharma, logistics, industry, and finance companies will file for temporary listings this month
Newsmakers
Sokna CEO Ahmed Gaballah on why hospitals and others are now seeking out the startup rather than the other way around
Over seven years, we estimate we’ve helped around 1 mn people inside and outside Egypt
My Morning Routine
Chambers and Partners is out with its 2026 list of Egypt’s top arbitration litigators
Youssef + Partners’ Karim Youssef was awarded the top title of Star Individual
Spotlight
Regulation
Legislation Watch
Parliament moves to shield healthcare and research from nuclear fee hikes
Amendments create a clearer distinction between commercial nuclear ventures and…
Regulation Watch
El Sisi shuffles central bank board, appointing three new subject-matter experts
Sherif Kamel, Ali Faramawy retain seats for another year
Cabinet Watch
Garghoub is now a Special Economic Zone — here is what that means for investors
Plus: A major overhaul at GOEIC to slash customs times
Ittihadiya
Egypt’s El Sisi calls on Trump to end the war
Good morning, all. It’s another morning with the regional war…
Startup Watch
Bahrain’s Beban eyes Egypt launch with equity crowdfunding model
Mohamed Aboulnaga’s Foras AI raises stake as Beban seeks FRA approval
Meet our founders of the week: Knot Technologies’ Ahmed Abdalla and Hussein ElBendak
Knot is building its AI-native ticketing and access control infrastructure out of Egypt for…
Meet Tribe founder Roba El Gindy
“Tribe is the village that it takes to raise a child”
Industries
Banking
Majority of analysts see Central Bank of Egypt keeping rates on hold as wartime pressures build
Will the CBE put its easing cycle on ice tomorrow?…
Finance
A four-week war could mean a USD 194 bn hit to regional GDP -UNDP
Nearly 4 mn people could be pushed into poverty amid…
Capital Markets
Risk-off mode triggers a strategic pivot for EGX portfolio managers
Al Ahly Pharos is now advising clients to “hold incremental…
Fintech
CBE greenlights full rollout of soft POS, turning smartphones into payment terminals
Following a two-year pilot phase that had restricted contactless payment…
Climate
Orascom Construction, Engie, Toyota Tsusho sign PPA for 900 MW wind farm in Egypt’s Ras Shokeir
The new development will bring the consortium’s total wind capacity…
Automotive
Industry Ministry pushes for 100k vehicles a year and 60% local content in an auto industry reboot
Proposed incentives include performance-based bonuses, extended support for EVs, and…
Commodities
Hormuz Strait closure leaves gap in global fertilizer market — and also cuts off the gas we need to fill it
Egypt already producing 7-8 mn tons of nitrogenous fertilizers each…
Tech
Finance Ministry to launch real estate tax app in April
Plus: Eni plans USD 2 bn investment push, Orascom Development…
Energy
Israeli state of emergency extension pushes back restart of Leviathan exports to Egypt
Prior to the shut-off, Leviathan was utilizing its newly expanded…
Infrastructure
Egypt inks USD 296.5 mn locomotive overhaul deal with Canada’s APD
The 12-year contract covers 55 locomotives currently in service and…
Manufacturing
The second phase of industrial financing program is here with bigger caps + new KPIs
The second phase of the program will see borrowing limits…
Mining
Gold is nearing bear market territory as more headwinds weigh on outlook
Traditional 60/40 portfolio sees its worst month since September 2022
Wednesday, 1 April 2026
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and happy (almost) weekend — and April Fools.
Today, we’re looking at why acting the fool in the face of reality might be exactly what you need to keep moving. In other words: sometimes, you just need to be a little delusional.
Today at a Glance
Friday, 27 March 2026
Good morning, friends, and congratulations on making it to the weekend.
Despite a shorter-than-usual workweek, it’s been a packed one, and we’ve got the full rundown for you. Also in today’s issue: We recommend a thriller unlike any you’ve read before, visit one of Zamalek’s best-kept secrets, and tune into a podcast covering all things media and tech. Perhaps most importantly, we discuss all things baby products in this week’s edition of The Enterprise Guide.
