At the heart of the 10th edition of the “She Can” event, which took place on Saturday at the Digital Egypt Creativity Center, Dr. Rania El-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, and Dr. Dalia Ibrahim, CEO of Nahdet Misr Publishing House, delivered addresses focused on the pivotal role of women in Egypt’s economic transformation. As the country strives toward sustainable development, El-Mashat underscored how women’s active participation in business and innovation is becoming a cornerstone of Egypt’s future economic success.
In her speech, the minister highlighted the government’s significant investments in women-led projects, drawing attention to an ambitious growth trajectory for the next five years. “We are committed to putting women at the center of Egypt’s economic development,” El-Mashat said, revealing that the government has earmarked nearly EGP 300 billion over the period from 2020 to 2025 to fund initiatives aimed at empowering women across key sectors, including education, healthcare, social protection, and employment.
Investment in Women: A Clear Economic Strategy
Dr. El-Mashat’s focus on economic ratios highlighted the remarkable strides being made in the field of women’s empowerment. She revealed that the government’s investments targeting female entrepreneurs have seen substantial increases in recent years. Between 2020/2021 and 2024/2025, the government has increased funding for women-centric projects by nearly EGP 300 billion, aiming to create a ripple effect that will enhance female participation in both the public and private sectors.
The minister noted that these investments would directly contribute to closing gender gaps in areas such as economic participation and wages, which remain persistent challenges in many global economies. Through targeted initiatives such as funding, training programs, and access to new markets, the government is creating an enabling environment for women to excel in entrepreneurship, ultimately strengthening Egypt’s competitive edge in the global market.
Women in the Digital Economy: A Growing Focus on Innovation
In a rapidly changing global economy, El-Mashat pointed to innovation and technology as critical components of women’s empowerment. She drew attention to several government programs designed to support female entrepreneurs in these transformative sectors. Notably, the She Trades Egypt initiative — a collaboration between the Ministry of Planning, the National Women’s Council, the Ministry of Trade, and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation — was highlighted as an essential tool for enhancing women’s access to both local and international markets.
Additionally, El-Mashat spotlighted the Social Innovation Hub, which trains young men and women, particularly from underserved communities, in digital tools and technology, fostering social entrepreneurship and bridging the gender gap in the digital economy. The program, which has already benefited over 17,000 young individuals, provides women with the necessary resources to launch technology-driven businesses, creating an inclusive ecosystem that will sustain Egypt’s digital economy for generations to come.
Advancing Egypt’s Global Innovation Standing
The minister also touched on the Global Innovation Index, where Egypt has significantly improved its ranking — moving from 96th place in 2020 to 86th in 2024. This upward trajectory, El-Mashat noted, is a testament to the country’s evolving innovation landscape, which increasingly incorporates female innovators and entrepreneurs. She also referenced Egypt’s standing as Africa’s leader and the Middle East’s third-largest market for investment in startups, underscoring the growing role of women in shaping Egypt’s competitive position on the global stage.
“In the next decade, we envision a future where Egyptian women will be at the forefront of the digital and technological revolution, contributing to a more sustainable, diversified economy,” El-Mashat added, emphasizing the importance of continued investments in innovation, research, and development.
Government Initiatives to Bridge Gender Gaps in Entrepreneurship
One of the cornerstones of Dr. El-Mashat’s address was the introduction of several forward-thinking government initiatives aimed at tackling gender disparities in economic participation. These initiatives include the Gender Gap Incentive, which is a collaboration between Egypt and the World Economic Forum, aimed at addressing the wage gap and increasing women’s access to economic opportunities.
Furthermore, the “She Leads” program, developed with the Ministry of Education and the Young Leaders Foundation, trains and mentors female graduates of technical education institutions, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in Egypt’s rapidly growing startup and tech sectors.
As Egypt focuses on fostering a robust startup ecosystem, El-Mashat also mentioned the Ministry of Planning’s work with the private sector to create policies that encourage investment in women-led startups, ensuring that Egypt remains competitive in the global innovation landscape.
The Road Ahead: Economic Growth and Sustainable Development
The minister concluded her remarks by linking women’s economic empowerment directly to Egypt’s broader goals under the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. She emphasized that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would be impossible without ensuring gender equality and fostering an environment where women can thrive in all aspects of economic and social life.
El-Mashat reiterated that empowering women is not just a matter of social justice; it is an economic imperative. “Innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity are the driving forces of the future, and we cannot afford to leave half of the population behind,” she stated. With the government’s focus on gender-inclusive economic policies and initiatives, Egypt is positioning itself to lead by example in the MENA region, demonstrating how female empowerment is essential to driving sustainable economic growth.
As the event wrapped up, it was clear that Dr. El-Mashat’s message resonated strongly with attendees — from policymakers to entrepreneurs — all of whom recognized the central role women play in shaping the future of Egypt’s economy.
pporting Female Innovators in Research and Technology
The NWC also reiterated its commitment to the advancement of women in science, technology, and research. In this regard, the Council has established a specialized committee in research and cybersecurity to further empower Egyptian women in these fields. The Council’s efforts align with Egypt’s broader vision of ensuring that women are active contributors to the nation’s knowledge economy, particularly in areas that intersect with cutting-edge technologies and sustainable development goals.
Furthermore, the NWC has partnered with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to offer local women entrepreneurs access to training and awards for innovative ideas. This partnership is designed to help women gain the intellectual property skills necessary to protect and scale their innovations globally.
A Vision for Sustainable Development
On the other hand, Zina Tawkel, a member of the council, delivered a keynote address on behalf of Council Chairwoman, Counselor Amal AmmarTawkel’s remarks reflected a broader national commitment to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing that innovation and creativity must play central roles in driving economic and social growth. “The future of Egypt depends on the full empowerment of women, their active involvement in innovation, and their leadership in building a more sustainable, prosperous society,” she concluded.
Concluding her address, Tawkel emphasized that Egypt’s National Strategy for Women’s Empowerment 2030, approved by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, provides the framework for addressing the challenges of women in innovation and entrepreneurship. Launched in 2017, this strategy has included initiatives aimed at integrating women into the fields of creativity and technology, creating a more inclusive workforce capable of addressing the world’s most pressing issues, such as climate change and poverty reduction.
