JEDDAH: Egypt has launched its first-ever national Startup Charter, committing $1 billion in funding and new policies to stimulate innovation, create jobs, and drive economic growth.
The initiative follows over a year of consultations involving 15 national entities and more than 250 representatives from the startup ecosystem, entrepreneurs, and parliamentary bodies, according to an official statement from the Egyptian Cabinet.
The charter is designed to support up to 5,000 startups, generate an estimated 500,000 direct and indirect jobs, and accelerate international expansion, as outlined by the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship.
Egypt’s startup ecosystem has gained significant traction in recent years, with startups attracting $228 million in venture capital and debt financing during the first five months of 2025 alone, marking a notable increase from the previous year. Official figures indicate that total funding for the sector reached $614 million in 2025, a sign of growing investor confidence and a more diverse financing landscape.
The official launch took place on Feb. 7 at the Grand Egyptian Museum, attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Rania Al-Mashat, key members of the entrepreneurial ministerial group, the governor of Giza, ambassadors, and various stakeholders from the startup ecosystem and venture capital funds.
