Egypt is moving to fast-track reforms to its entrepreneurship ecosystem as startups in the country attracted $614 million in funding in 2025, a 51% increase year-on-year, government officials said following a high-level ministerial meeting chaired by Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Minister Rania Al-Mashat.
The announcement came during the sixth meeting of the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship, convened in line with directives from Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly to shape a forward-looking national vision for startups and innovation. The meeting brought together 13 ministries and key regulatory bodies, underscoring a whole-of-government approach to supporting founders and investors.
Toward a Unified Framework for Startups
At the center of the discussions were preparations to launch a package of long-awaited initiatives designed to remove barriers and improve the ease of doing business for startups. These include:
- A national Startup Charter, setting out rights, incentives, and policy commitments
- An investment stimulation initiative aimed at boosting venture capital and private equity flows
- A unified startup guide to streamline procedures across government entities
- A standardized legal definition of startups to reduce regulatory ambiguity
- Proposals to establish an institutional entity dedicated to coordinating and supporting Egypt’s entrepreneurship ecosystem
Al-Mashat said the measures are intended to translate political backing into practical reforms that foster innovation, job creation, and private-sector–led growth.
“The government is working to move from fragmented initiatives toward an integrated and sustainable ecosystem for entrepreneurship,” she said, noting that startups are a key driver of productivity and competitiveness.
Broad Government Participation
The meeting was attended by senior officials including:
- Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports
- Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Sherif Farouk, Minister of Supply and Internal Trade
- Mohamed Gibran, Minister of Labor
- Hassan El-Khatib, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade (via video link)
Also present were representatives from the Central Bank of Egypt, the Financial Regulatory Authority, the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), ITIDA, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency, and the Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority, alongside advisers to the prime minister.
Funding Momentum Signals Investor Confidence
The reported $614 million raised by Egyptian startups in 2025 reflects renewed investor confidence after several challenging years for global venture capital markets. Officials said the funding growth highlights the importance of accelerating regulatory clarity, improving access to finance, and mobilizing private capital alongside public support.
World Bank and international development partners have previously identified Egypt as one of the Middle East and Africa’s most dynamic startup hubs, particularly in fintech, health tech, e-commerce, and climate solutions.
Linking Entrepreneurship to National Development
Al-Mashat emphasized that strengthening entrepreneurship aligns with Egypt’s broader economic reform agenda, which prioritizes innovation, export growth, and high-quality employment—especially for youth.
The proposed institutional framework, she added, would help coordinate policies across ministries, reduce duplication, and ensure startups can scale more quickly from idea to market.
As Egypt prepares to roll out the Startup Charter and related initiatives, policymakers are betting that a more coherent regulatory environment will help sustain the sector’s rapid growth—and position the country as a regional hub for innovation and venture investment.
