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GAFI developing initiative to boost Egyptian start-ups abroad

Businessmen Team economy 01 October 2025 01:18 PM
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GAFI developing initiative to boost Egyptian start-ups abroad

The CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), Hossam Heiba, announced the Authority is developing a new initiative with executive programmes aimed at enabling start-ups to access new foreign markets and secure better financing opportunities.

The move is designed to enhance Egypt's position as a major hub for start-up activities in Africa and the Middle East, Heiba said.

His remarks came during his participation in the Techne Summit 2025, attended by stakeholders from Egypt’s entrepreneurship sector and 70 participating nations.

Heiba underscored the pivotal role of entrepreneurship and innovation in boosting the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy. He highlighted the significant contribution of business events like the Techne Summit 2025 in supporting start-ups by providing financing and investment opportunities, and enabling youth to transform their ideas into sustainable projects with economic and social viability.

The GAFI chief reviewed the authority's efforts in supporting entrepreneurship and start-up activities, notably hosting the Permanent Unit for Start-ups and Entrepreneurship. This unit coordinates all entities concerned with developing the rapidly growing sector, studies global best practices for application in the Egyptian market, and coordinates with regional economies to facilitate the expansion of Egyptian start-ups abroad. This is expected to multiply profit flows into the Egyptian market and boost financing and employment opportunities. GAFI also participates in the technical secretariat of the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship.

Heiba added that supporting start-ups and accelerating their growth is key to achieving the goals of Egypt’s sustainable development strategy (Vision 2030), which include supporting innovation, encouraging exports, strengthening ties between research institutions and industrial clusters, creating decent job opportunities, and driving knowledge and technology-based growth. This commitment drives the Egyptian government to continue stimulating this important sector, he said.