Egypt’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), in collaboration with Vodafone Egypt, Samsung Electronics Egypt, and CARE Egypt Foundation, launched the “Maaki” (With You) initiative—an ambitious nationwide program designed to equip one million Egyptian women with critical digital and entrepreneurial skills, with a special focus on rural and Upper Egypt regions.
The initiative was announced by Basil Rahmy, CEO of MSMEDA, who emphasized that the program aligns with Egypt’s national strategy for inclusive human development, women’s empowerment, and digital transformation.
“We are working hand-in-hand with Vodafone Egypt and our development partners to build the capabilities of one million Egyptian women and girls,” said Rahmy. “
Cross- Sector Partnership for Women’s Empowerment
The “Maaki” initiative is a leading example of cross-sector collaboration to build a model for digital inclusion and entrepreneurship. The program will provide participating women with access to digital education, skills development, entrepreneurial training, and tailored mentorship to help them launch and grow micro and small enterprises. In doing so, the initiative aims to transform local economies by increasing female labor force participation and fostering financial independence among women in marginalized areas.
“Since July 2014, MSMEDA has provided over EGP 17.9 billion to support more than 918,000 women-led projects, generating 1.2 million jobs across the country,” Rahmy added. “Maaki is the next major step in that journey.”
Bridging Digital Gender Gap
Mohamed Abdallah, CEO and Managing Director of Vodafone Egypt, and Regional Head of International Markets at Vodacom Group, affirmed the company’s commitment to bridging the digital gender divide through innovation and purpose-driven technology.
“With Maaki, we aim to reshape the future of rural Egypt,” said Abdallah. “This program reflects Vodafone Egypt’s deep belief in technology as a driver of sustainable, inclusive development and economic opportunity. We see women as catalysts for positive change within their communities, and Maaki opens the door to a new digital future for them.”
A Vision for Inclusive Innovation
Byoungmoo (Theo) Shin, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Egypt, emphasized that the company’s participation in the initiative reflects its long-term commitment to meaningful innovation in Egypt.
“Maaki represents a successful model of public-private-civil society cooperation,” said Shin. “At Samsung, we believe in impactful, sustainable innovation—and this initiative empowers women in underserved communities to unlock new possibilities for financial independence and social inclusion.”
“Not Just a Project—A Promise”
In this regard, Vivian Thabet, CEO of CARE Egypt, underscored the transformative potential of the initiative, rooted in decades of experience working with women across Egypt. “We believe that empowering women means empowering entire communities,” Thabet said. “Maaki is not just a project; it is a living promise we fulfill daily. Together with MSMEDA, Vodafone, and Samsung, we are giving women access to digital tools and sustainable income. We are not just witnessing change—we are co-creating it, step by step, hand in hand.”
