Your guide to giving back

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THE WEEK IN REVIEW

Citizen Bonds to be issued monthly

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and happy weekend. It’s been a lighter-than-usual week in the press, and we’ve got the full rundown for you below. It’s set to be a cool (and windy) weekend, and we’ve got a few ideas on how you can spend it.

AND- In this week’s edition of The Enterprise Guide, we’re listing trusted channels through which you can donate towards Ramadan boxes, or buy and distribute them yourself.

So, when do we eat today? Maghrib prayers are at 5:52pm in the capital, and you’ll have until 4:56am tomorrow to hydrate and caffeinate ahead of fajr.

🗞️ LAST WEEK IN 3 MINS-

DEBT-

The Finance Ministry is looking to issue its newly debuted Citizen Bonds on a monthly basis. Each new issuance will feature a variable interest rate determined by market conditions at the time of offering.

ECONOMY-

#1- The IMF Executive Board completed its fifth and sixth reviews of our USD 8 bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF) as well as its first review of our Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), allowing for the immediate disbursement of USD 2.3 bn — USD 2 bn from the EFF and USD 273 mn from the RSF.

#2- Egypt’s draft budget for FY 2026-27 is shaping up as a statement of recovery. The plan will focus on narrowing the deficit, boosting revenues, and containing the pace of spending growth.

#3- Egypt is eyeing a return to the EUR-denominated bond market for the first time in years, with the Finance Ministry weighing a EUR 1 bn issuance in 2Q 2026

TRANSPORTATION-

The Transport Ministry is set to bring 125 out-of-operation locomotives back to life under a USD 297 mn agreement with Advanced Power Dynamics. The 12-year contract to rehabilitate aging Henschel locomotives is in line with the government’s strategy of maximizing the efficiency of its existing fleet.

STARTUP WATCH-

E-commerce infrastructure platform Flextock secured USD 12.6 mn in a Series A round led by TLcom Capital. The raise brings Flextock’s total funding to date to USD 15.8 mn, having also closed a USD 3.25 mn pre-seed round in 2021.

HEALTHCARE-

The gov’t is moving to offload the management, operation, and service efficiency upgrades of 62 healthcare projects to the private sector, as it seeks to shift from state-led construction to private-led operation.

LOGISTICS-

The state is earmarking EGP 8 bn to develop Damietta Port ahead of opening up the dock to international management tenders and a future public offering.

BANKING-

CIB is set to begin due diligence on HSBC Egypt’s retail banking portfolio. This is the first formal confirmation that a process which could see HSBC divest its retail franchise here has moved beyond the exploratory phase.

MANUFACTURING-

Companies that invest in strategic industries, including automotive, appliances and engineering, food, and chemicals, will get a large discount on their taxes spread over seven years.

PRIVATIZATION WATCH-

Islamic Cairo may soon welcome new private investors, as the government prepares to offer a selection of restored heritage sites under public-private partnership schemes.

🌍 AROUND THE WORLD IN SEVEN DAYS-

It’s been a Trump-dominated week in the global press, with other stories making the rounds as well — here’s a quick rundown:

The week started off with a return of US President Donald Trump’s tariff spree, with the president announcing on Sunday that he is raising his previously imposed 10% global tariff to 15% — “effective immediately.” This followed a Supreme Court ruling issued last Friday that Trump’s global tariff barrage exceeded his powers under federal law.

Three days after the Supreme Court declared Trump’s tariffs illegal, the US Customs and Border Protection agency said it would stop collecting tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. European officials warned the tariff hike would put EU-US trade agreements from last year at risk. The European Commission demanded full clarity on Washington’s next steps and insisted the US honor the agreement, indicating it will accept no increase in US tariffs.

The tariff hike was found to benefit China and Brazil most while heralding higher costs for US allies, namely the UK, the EU, and Japan. US allies are thought to suffer most as their exports have a higher proportion of steel, aluminum, and autos, which are covered by some tariffs that remain in place. Tariff-imposed global uncertainty led to a USD and BTC drop while gold prices rose.

Trump dominated the headlines again on Wednesday with his State of the Union address — his longest speech on record, surpassing the 100-minute mark (watch, runtime: 1:58:18). The speech brushed off concerns over the US economy, with Trump noting that the “roaring economy is roaring like never before.” The president doubled down on his tariff policy and claimed that he had slowed inflation and driven the stock market to record heights. He failed to mention foreign policy or cost-of-living concerns, instead calling out Iran’s nuclear ambitions and making his case for possible US military action against the country.

The tech industry also got its fair share of headlines this week. Following India’s Global AI Summit, tech giants vowed massive investment of hundreds of bns USD into Indian AI efforts as the South Asian nation pushes for AI superpower status. Microsoft said that it was on track to invest USD 50 bn in AI in the Global South, while other US tech firms announced partnerships with Indian companies.

Another tech sell-off took center stage: IBM was the latest victim of the AI scare, ending Monday down 13.2% — its most drastic dip in 25 years — after Anthropic claimed its Claude Code offering could automate much of the work done by solutions currently provided by the tech giant. Shares of other cybersecurity companies — Cloudflare, CrowdStrike, and Palo Alto Networks — also plunged.

On Wednesday, a new agreement wasannounced between Meta and Advanced Micro Devices. Meta is buying USD 60 bn worth of computing power, which will power its AI infrastructure over a five-year stretch starting in 2H 2026. AMD issued Meta a warrant for up to 160 mn shares — approximately 10% of the company — at a strike price of just USD 0.01 per share, contingent upon Meta hitting specific milestones and AMD hitting a set stock price threshold.

AND- Nvidia’s latest earnings came in yesterday. The most valuable company in the world reported record revenues of USD 68.1 bn for the three-month period ending in January, up 73% y-o-y, driven by data center revenues. Despite this, investor reactions proved lukewarm . The concern lies in how Nvidia can maintain its growth momentum while spending is flowing into AI-related capex.

ALSO- The killing of Mexican drug lord Nemesio Oseguera in a military raid on Sunday dominated the global press. Following the news, violent protests erupted across Mexico, with 250 blockades reported in 20 states.

CLOSER TO HOME- The Gaza Board of Peace is looking to roll out a stablecoin in Gaza, allowing Palestinians in the strip to transact digitally.

☀️ THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND-

We’re in for a cool, windy weekend in the capital. Today, temperatures are set to peak at 20°C, with a low of 9°C. Tomorrow we’ll be in for a high of just 18°C and a low of 9°C, according to our favorite weather app.

🎤 HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND-

Up for a farm getaway during the holy month? Hazel Farm is hosting a Ramadan on the Farm special today and tomorrow. The evening begins with a sunset farm tour on the Giza grounds, followed by a farm-to-table iftar. The night continues with dessert decorating, a cozy bonfire, and seasonal Ramadan drinks. Spots are limited — you can secure yours through Kidzapp.

Fancy a Qahrawya walking tour this Ramadan? The Cairene tour agency just announced its special “Iftour” calendar for the month, offering five walking tours in the heart of Cairo paired with Ramadan iftars. The tours will kick off tomorrow and will run until Wednesday, 11 March, taking place in Zamalek, Al Khalifa, Al Mounira, and other areas across the city. You can book your spot through the link in their Instagram bio.

The Garden Market joins Layali Cairo West for a special Ramadan experience — a boutique market featuring handpicked Egyptian brands on top of a five-star iftar and suhoor. The tent experience runs until tomorrow, and will run for two consecutive weekends until Saturday, 14 March at 6th October City’s the Arena in Cairo West. Doors are open from 8pm to 1am.

🎤 HAPPENING NEXT WEEK-

Angham is taking the stage at the GEM’s Al Mashrafia Tent on Tuesday, 3 March, for a special evening hosted by Ahl Masr Burn Hospital, dedicated to expanding its critical burn care services. The night will also feature a refined suhoor experience and an auction for art and collectibles. Tickets are available on Ticketsmarché.

Ladies, ready to trade your iftar slump for a night run? Cairo Runners is hosting a special Women’s Night 5K Race on Friday, 6 March, at Promenade, New Cairo. The event also includes a 2K Fun Run that is accessible for everyone. The night starts at 8pm — you can register through Cairo Runners’ website.

Where to get Ramadan charity boxes

🌙📦 The holy month is one for giving back, and there’s no shortage of ways to do so. This Ramadan, the Social Solidarity Ministry has launched a series of initiatives to ease pressure on households, including an EGP 40.3 bn “welcome Ramadan” social support package — which covers a one-time EGP 400 top-up for ration card holders and Takaful and Karama families, among other avenues — as well as the dispersion of some 60 mn meals across the country.

Alongside the government’s efforts, there’s plenty that we individuals can do to make a difference. In this week’s edition of The Enterprise Guide, we’re listing trusted channels through which you can donate towards Ramadan boxes, or buy and distribute them yourself.

Charitable organizations and NGOs

If you’re looking to contribute to Ramadan boxes this year and could use a helping hand in getting them to those who need them, these organizations all offer Ramadan boxes that can be purchased online:

#1- The Egyptian Food Bank: Ramadan or not, the Egyptian Food Bank’s initiatives are aplenty. This month, they’ve got several online donation options and charity boxes that can be purchased from the comfort of your home. Their boxes are available in three tiers:

The EGP 450 Feed & Honor Box: This contains 12 kg of food, including 14 items — rice, sugar, pasta, fava beans, flour, vermicelli, lentils, dates, oil, tomato paste, cheese, and salt;
The EGP 750 Feed & Honor Box: This covers an extra 8 kg of food items, with the same items included in larger quantities;
The EGP 1.6k Feed & Honor Box: The most expensive option boasts some 40 kg of food items, with larger quantities and additional food items such as raisins.

In addition to the Ramadan boxes, the Food Bank offers iftar meals in the EGP 85-115 range.

You can also invest in the bank’s FreeMart initiative, which raises money for those unable to work, sending them redeemable vouchers through SMS to purchase their food needs from over 620 FreeMart branches across the country. You can contribute by purchasing one of three “point options” as follows:

EGP 450 for 90 points;
EGP 750 for 150 points;
EGP 1.6k for 310 points, all redeemable at FreeMart branches.

AND- You can contribute to a Ma’idet Rahman. The Food Bank organizes and prepares iftar and suhoor tents for up to 500 individuals per tent on a daily basis, spread across all 27 governorates. A single contribution comes at a fixed price of EGP 1k.

#2- Misr El Kheir: As part of their Ramadan 2026 campaign, Misr El Kheir offers a series of donation options through their website, including:

El Kheir Box (EGP 450): This includes 12 kg of food with essentials such as rice, pasta, sugar, tea, oil, tomato paste, salt, lentils, vermicelli, and dates, among others;
El Satr Box (EGP 250): Coming at a lower price tag, the box includes half the amount of food, with 6 kg of rice, pasta, sugar, tea, oil, and tomato paste;
The Family Support Box (EGP 3k): Designed to make sure an entire family is set for the month, the highest tier box includes some 65 kg of food, including all the aforementioned products.

Misr El Kheir also offers a number of other ways to make an impact, including:

The Iftar Sa’em package and an expiation meal (EGP 85): Both meals provide one individual with rice, protein, vegetables, and fruit.
El Kheir Card: For EGP 500, Misr El Kheir distributes prepaid cards topped up with EGP 500 to those in need, allowing flexibility in food items or meals purchased.

#3- Al Orman: Also offering a variety of Ramadan boxes this holy month to be distributed across Egypt’s far-flung villages, Al Orman’s box tiers — each containing basic food items — are as follows:

EGP 350 for the 8.3 kg box;
EGP 505 for the 12 kg box;
EGP 770 for the 20 kg box.

Donations can be made online through their website, or by calling their hotline for in-person money collection.

If you’re looking to distribute yourself

Want to distribute the boxes on your own terms? You can find a slew of options at Cairo’s hypermarkets and supermarket chains at a variety of price points.

#1- HyperOne: The hypermarket chain has two Ramadan boxes this year at EGP 200 for 4.8 kg and EGP 315 for 7.3 kg. Both boxes comprise rice, sugar, pasta, ghee, tomato paste, dates, tea, and fava beans.

WHERE TO GET IT- You can order the boxes online, with delivery taking place within 48 hours.

#2- Seoudi: The Cairene chain similarly offers several tiers, with prices ranging from EGP 175 all the way up to EGP 550. The tiers are as follows:

The small box, which includes: 1 kg of rice, 1 kg of sugar, 600g of pasta, one oil bottle, Seoudi tomato paste, tea, and fava beans;
The large box, which includes an additional two bags of rice and larger quantities;
The family box, which includes all of the above in greater quantities, in addition to dates, raisins, lentils, black-eyed peas, and dried apricot paste.

WHERE TO GET IT- Seoudi’s Ramadan boxes are available for purchase through the app or at their physical branches.

#3- Mahmoud El Far: The supermarket has different Ramadan boxes up for grabs, ranging from EGP 155-290.

The small box (EGP 155) includes 1 kg of sugar, 1 kg of rice, 350g of pasta, tomato paste, oil, and salt;
The medium box (EGP 185) adds an extra 350g of pasta and 250g of lentils;
The large box (EGP 290) tops it up with black-eyed peas.

WHERE TO GET IT- You can order through Mahmoud El Far’s website or purchase the boxes at any of their branches.

!_Insertline_!

#4- Kheir Zaman: Two options are up for grabs: an EGP 155 Ramadan bag — comprising rice (1 kg), sugar (1 kg), pasta (700g), oil, tomato paste, and salt — and an EGP 240 box, which adds ghee and tea.

WHERE TO GET IT- Both are available at Kheir Zaman’s branches.

#5- Talabat Mart: Just a few taps away, Talabat offers three box options: a nine-piece box at EGP 195, a 12-piece box at EGP 275, and a large 14-piece box at EGP 386.

WHERE TO GET IT- You can order through Talabat.

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

Revisiting Faten Hamama’s Al Layla Al Akhira

🍿 Al Layla Al Akhira is an Egyptian classic way ahead of its time — and worth yours. In 1963, director Kamal El Sheikh — renowned for dark dramas like Chased by the Dogs, Miramar, and Ghuroob Wa Shurooq — delivered this gripping drama featuring Faten Hamama, Mahmoud Morsi, and Ahmed Mazhar. Scripted by Youssef El Sebai and Sabry Ezzat, the film is a powerful psychological thriller with deep philosophical undertones.

Nadia (Hamama) wakes up one day to find that everything has changed. Her face shows signs of aging, she’s living in a massive villa, and is married to her brother-in-law Shaker (Mahmoud Morsi), who insists on calling her Fawzia — her sister’s name. Nadia is horrified to discover that 15 years of her life had passed, the last thing she can recall being her wedding night in 1942.

Al Layla Al Akhira is a film as close to perfection as can be. From the concept to the dialogue and the stunning performances, El Sheikh’s film is a gift that keeps on giving. While detective stories and mysteries often rely on exaggerated plots, this film at its core tackles complex philosophical ponderings — is a person's identity formed by their self-image and memories, or by the actions and life they have actually experienced?

The Lady of the Arab Screen — as she is known — delivered the character with an intelligence and creativity worthy of study. Through her gaze and body language alone, she conveyed raging internal conflict, enhanced by an inner monologue that allowed the viewer a deeper dive into her psyche. Morsi also excelled on screen as the obsessed, controlling, and manipulative Shaker, joining the ranks of Egyptian cinema’s most compelling characters.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can watch Al Layla Al Akhira on YouTube (watch, runtime: 1:44:07).

Love, grief, and friendship in Fredrik Backman’s latest novel

📚 Fredrik Backman is no stranger to sob stories — in fact, they’re what he does best. Going into his latest full-length novel, My Friends, you might expect to shed a few tears here and there, but what we did not anticipate is that we would be crying all the way through. Translated to English by Neil Smith, the New York Times bestseller is a dissection of friendship, heartache, and the overwhelming weight of grief.

Louisa has nothing to her name — no family, no home, no possessions. Escaping from her foster home after the death of her only friend, she sets her sights on a museum where a painting she longs to gaze upon is housed. She sneaks in, gets into trouble, and gets kicked out. Outside, she finds protection with a homeless man and his cat. The unlikely duo confide in each other, and towards the end of their interaction, it’s revealed that this is no homeless man, this is the world-famous artist who has long inspired Louisa — and he’s dying.

Eventually finding herself in possession of a painting worth USD mns, Louisa begins to trace its history and the stories of the people it depicts — who are the teenagers in the painting? What happened to them? In her attempt to find answers, an unlikely friendship blossoms between her and the artist’s closest friend, setting up an incredibly emotional journey where the reader is left to confront life and all its unpleasant surprises.

Backman is a rare wordsmith. The Swedish author shows commendable restraint with his words; knowing just how much to say, and how little to give away. For a novel that so viscerally uncovers the reality of grief, it is one that also features Backman’s signature wit and poignant humor — which is to say: we laughed, and we cried.

My Friends — as the title suggests — is an ode to the power of human connection. The novel spans decades, leaving readers to pick up the pieces one chapter at a time. The ending could perhaps be surmised early on, yet as has become expected of Backman, the novel is one about the journey, not necessarily the destination.

WHERE TO GET IT- Keep an eye out for a restock of the hardcover edition at Diwan. You can find the ebook on Amazon and Kobo.

Not sure where to go for suhoor? Ormet Fahmy would like a word

🍴 What happens when suhoor at home starts losing its spark halfway through the month? You take the meal out — if only for a change of scenery. Ormet Fahmy is one spot that might just help bring that spark back. The Egyptian food restaurant brings its dining indulgence to a traditional, but hearty, suhoor menu.

The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and while their terrace looked inviting, an unusually chilly night — and heaters that sadly weren’t working — forced us to go for a table inside. A one-page suhoor menu mostly borrows from the restaurant’s staple breakfast menu and offers a set meal with an EGP 300 price tag: a bowl of ful, falafel, fries, fried eggplant slices, baladi bread, vegetable add-ons, and torshi.

We opted for the set meal, choosing the Ormet Fahmy and olive oil ful bowls, alongside the amati falafel. Our table was soon crowded with simple metal bowls — a charming contrast to the restaurant’s more hefty, wood-heavy decor. The centerpiece was a large bowl scattered with fries, fried eggplant slices, and taameya bites.

Everything tasted as expected: familiar, warm, and perfectly seasoned. While there’s not much to say about a meal that has been tried and tested, the taameya stood out — delightfully fluffy and vibrant in color — and the Ormet Fahmy ful bowl delivered a strong punch, with heavy dill and tomato sauce, onions, and garlic on top. If we had left some room for dessert, we would have gladly given their signature milk and sugar feteer meshaltet a go.

A satisfying suhoor doesn’t require much, especially at an established diner like Ormet Fahmy. The ambient hum of Ramadan-themed tunes and classic country music from the likes of Ahmed Adaweya provided just the right backdrop for a comforting meal and a much-needed change of scenery.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find Ormet Fahmy at Sheraton’s Park Plaza and City Centre Almaza. No reservations required for suhoor.

💵 Per person: EGP 300-500

🪑 Outdoor seating: Yes

🦽 Accessibility friendly: Yes

Blowback asks: When empires fall, who rebuilds?

👂 Even if the Angolan Civil War isn’t at the forefront of global political memory today, Blowback brings it to life in its sixth season, presenting it as one of the Cold War’s most complex and influential chapters. The podcast re-examines the history of US foreign policy through a critical, investigative lens, adopting an analytical approach that seeks to deconstruct the behind-the-scenes international conflicts involving DC, and identify who paid the true price for these interventions.

Hosts Brendan James and Noah Kulwin blend the precision of academic research and political analysis with immersive sound design that moves past traditional narration. The podcast draws upon a comprehensive archive to unpack the war, which erupted in the 1970s, and how it transformed into a proxy battlefield during the Cold War. US and Soviet ambitions clashed there, alongside direct military interventions from other powers including Cuba and South Africa.

The season’s 10th and final episode sheds light on the radical shift in the conflict’s nature following the 1988 New York Accords and the collapse of the Soviet Union. The episode focuses on the major turning point in 1993, when the Clinton administration withdrew its support for Jonas Savimbi, founder of the UNITA movement, and officially recognized the Luanda government. The war did not end with the loss of international backing — rather, it evolved into a self-funding war economy that left behind a humanitarian catastrophe of famine and a landmine crisis. This made Angola one of the countries with the highest number of amputees until the war officially ended in 2002 with the death of Savimbi.

The episode's strength lies in its dramatic construction, with the hosts going beyond narration. Listeners are transported to the heart of the action through rare recordings of leaders' speeches, field audio, and clips from old diplomatic meetings. Even the silences are masterfully employed, giving the listener a moment to absorb the scale of the tragedy.

WHERE TO LISTEN- You can tune in on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart | YouTube.

THE ENTERPRISE ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

🗓️ FEBRUARY

24 February - 14 March (Tuesday-Saturday): Ramadan Premium Market at the Arena, Cairo West.

27-28 February (Friday-Saturday): Ramadan on the Farm at Hazel Farm.

28 February - 11 March (Saturday-Wednesday): Qahrawya Iftours.

MARCH

3 March (Tuesday): Angham at Al Mashrafia tent, the Grand Egyptian Museum.

6 March (Friday): The Women’s Night 5K Race with Cairo Runners at Promenade, New Cairo.

6 March (Friday): Wust El Balad at Gomhouria Theatre, Downtown.

21 March (Saturday): Eid Al-Fitr.

27 March (Friday): Wegz at the PUBG Mobile anniversary carnival, the Great Pyramids of Giza.

APRIL

2 April (Thursday): Hany Shaker at Theatro Arkan.

7 April (Tuesday): Shakira at the Pyramids of Giza.

13 April (Monday): Sham El Nessim.

25 April (Saturday): Sinai Liberation Day.

MAY

1 May (Friday): Labor Day.

26 May (Tuesday): Arafat’s Day.

26 May (Tuesday): Andrea Bocelli at the City of Arts and Culture in the New Administrative Capital.

JUNE

16 June (Tuesday): Islamic New Year.

30 June (Tuesday): June 30th Revolution.

JULY

23 July (Thursday): July 23rd Revolution 1952.

24 July (Friday): Adriatique at the North Coast.

AUGUST

21 August (Friday): Black Coffee at Cubix North Coast.

25 August (Thursday): Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday.

OCTOBER

6 October (Tuesday): Armed Forces Day.

24 October (Saturday): Blue 25th Anniversary Tour at New Capital.

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Citizen Bonds to be issued monthly

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Blowback asks: When empires fall, who rebuilds?

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