Cairo – Sharikat Mubasher: Hossam Heiba, Chairman of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), announced that the Egyptian government is taking a strategic approach to support the entrepreneurship ecosystem and boost investment attractiveness.
Speaking at the Egypt Venture Capital (VC) Summit 2025, he revealed that upcoming reforms aim to empower startups and foster a stronger venture capital environment in collaboration with the private sector.
Heiba explained that the government, in coordination with key entities such as the Financial Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, and others, has launched several initiatives. These include modernizing startup valuation standards to align with international practices, introducing tax incentives and exemptions to ease the financial burden on SMEs, and simplifying exit and acquisition processes to improve market liquidity. Additionally, a unified system for managing government investment funds has been established to enhance funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and provide comprehensive support.
GAFI is also prioritizing the development of startup infrastructure by offering office spaces in free zones, particularly in Sadat City, where startups can benefit from unique advantages such as the free flow of capital, foreign currency transactions, and streamlined administrative processes. These efforts aim to support startups targeting export and expansion.
He highlighted Egypt’s demographic strength, with over 110 million local consumers and 10 million foreign residents from 39 nationalities, positioning the country as an attractive investment destination.
Egypt, he added, serves not only as a massive domestic market but also as a strategic gateway to regional markets, with ambitions to become a regional hub for innovation and investment.
He concluded by affirming the government’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for startups and reinforcing Egypt’s position as a key player in the global investment landscape.