Egypt

After a difficult few years following the 2011 revolution, there is renewed hope for Egypt’s tourism sector, with 2017 bringing the industry back to growth. While there were positive signs for tourism in 2013 and 2014, before a relapse in 2015, the flotation of the currency in November 2016 has made the Egyptian market more competitive, and the government has also expended significant energy...

Agriculture remains an important part of the Egyptian economy, and a long-standing priority for the government has been to shift the agricultural balance of trade, with the country possessing the second-highest agricultural import expenditure as a share of export revenues in the region, at over 35%. To this end, improvements to irrigation systems and water management protocols have been...

From urban transit to seaports and airports, the country’s transport network is poised for a significant upgrade. Although demand is unpredictable and subdued in certain segments, the emphasis on developing strong transport infrastructure should provide opportunities to investors and operators alike. In the third quarter of FY 2016/17 the transport and storage sector grew at a rate of 4.4%,...

Construction remains one of the most important contributors to the domestic economy. In 2016 the sector’s output increased by 10.3%, a significant uptick after growing at an average of 5.3% in the preceding four years. This growth trend was largely maintained in 2017, expanding by 7.3% in the first nine months of FY 2016/17. The Egyptian real estate market has proven itself remarkably...

Having long been one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy, continuing to grow even during periods of turbulence, the Egyptian telecoms industry experienced a landmark year in 2017. Steady subscription growth and increasing demand for data should bolster the position of all operators, with 4G providing a new field of competition in what is incrementally becoming a less voice-dominated,...

With a large consumer base, skilled labour force, strategic geographic location and a series of pro-business government efforts to streamline licensing and operations, Egypt’s industrial sector is an attractive proposition. While challenges remain, there are new local and export-focused opportunities for increased investment – particularly with the ongoing construction of a new capital. While...