Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, chaired an expanded meeting to review preparations for Egypt’s hosting of the third edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival, which will take place in Cairo from 6 to 8 November.
The meeting comes as the government, through the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship, continues to prioritise the sector in recognition of its role in driving economic growth, providing innovative solutions to development challenges, and attracting venture capital investment.
The meeting was attended by Nabila Makram, Head of the Technical Secretariat of the National Alliance for Civil and Development Work and Secretary-General of the festival; Baher Mounir Ghabbour, Head of Global Entrepreneurship Festival Partnerships in Egypt; Amr El-Abd, Prime Minister’s Adviser for Entrepreneurship; Khaled Abbas, Chairperson and Managing Director of the Administrative Capital for Urban Development (ACUD); Heba Zaki, Director of the Egypt Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre; and a number of senior officials.
Rostom said Egypt’s hosting of the third edition of the global event reflects its leading regional position in entrepreneurship across the Middle East and Africa.
He noted that the government is closely supporting the sector through the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship, headed by Hussein Eissa, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, to provide startups with the support needed to grow and enhance their contribution to the national economy.
He also highlighted Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s continued focus on entrepreneurship and his directives to strengthen coordination and integration among all relevant stakeholders to support the sector.
The meeting emphasised the importance of close coordination among participating entities to ensure the festival is organised to the highest standards, reflecting Egypt’s strong entrepreneurial ecosystem, promising young talent, and investment opportunities.
Participants said the festival would bring together thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and policymakers from Africa and around the world, creating a regional and international platform to showcase the role of startups in driving sustainable development and innovation.
Makram said the festival has generated unprecedented interest among entrepreneurs and startups across Africa, adding that organisers are maintaining close coordination with the Egyptian government across all relevant areas to ensure the success of the international event.
The third edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival will be held in Cairo from 6 to 8 November 2026.
The event is regarded as one of the world’s largest international gatherings dedicated to entrepreneurship. This year’s edition is expected to attract more than 10,000 participants from over 70 countries, alongside more than 100 exhibitors and 60 international speakers, including government leaders and experts in economics, investment, and entrepreneurship. It is also expected to further strengthen Cairo’s position as a regional gateway for cross-border partnerships, innovation, and investment.
