Egypt is strengthening its position as a regional investment and business hub as Gulf companies and international investors increasingly look to the country as a long-term base for expansion, according to Mohamed Awaad, Egypt Corporate Agent at Ziada DC – UAE.
Awaad said the renewed interest reflects a broader shift in investors’ outlook towards Egypt, with companies increasingly assessing the country not only as a large consumer market, but also as a platform for regional operations, digital services and back-office activities.
He highlighted growing Gulf investment interest in Egypt, particularly in major urban and economic developments, as evidence of increased confidence in the country’s long-term potential.
New urban areas and major corridors, including projects around East Cairo, are attracting companies and investors seeking locations supported by expected future demand and expanding infrastructure.
Awaad stressed Egypt’s potential to become a leading regional base for back-office operations, software development, marketing services and call centres.
He noted that the availability of skilled Egyptian professionals with foreign-language capabilities, combined with comparatively lower operating, infrastructure and utility costs, gives Egypt a competitive advantage over several regional markets.
The growth of remote work has further strengthened this position, with Gulf and international companies increasingly employing developers and specialised teams based in Egypt while maintaining payroll costs in Egyptian pounds.
Regional call-centre operations are increasingly being managed from Egypt by companies serving customers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, allowing them to operate using international numbers while benefiting from Egypt’s competitive operating costs and large pool of skilled talent, Awaad said.
According to Awaad, government initiatives supporting the outsourcing and offshoring sector are contributing to Egypt’s ability to attract international companies and create employment opportunities for young professionals.
He also pointed to the expansion of national programmes focused on artificial intelligence, which are designed to develop digital and technological capabilities across different age groups and support the growth of Egypt’s technology ecosystem.
Another emerging area is the development of data centres, which Awaad described as a growing global and domestic investment trend. Egypt’s telecommunications infrastructure, geographic position and expanding digital infrastructure could support further investment in the sector.
He also sees potential for developing large-scale smart industrial and technology zones along major transport corridors, creating integrated locations for data centres, technology companies and related services.
Awaad indicated that geopolitical developments in 2026, particularly during the first half of the year, have encouraged international companies to reconsider the geographical distribution of their investments and operations.
He argued that Egypt’s relative stability, large workforce and strategic location position it to benefit from companies seeking alternative operating bases outside their home markets.
Government reforms, investment incentives and regulatory measures aimed at attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) could further support this trend, particularly in administrative, technology and service-oriented developments.
Awaad added that continued investment in telecommunications networks, infrastructure and new urban communities will be critical to Egypt’s ability to accommodate large technology and business operations.
He concluded that Egypt’s combination of human capital, competitive operating costs, infrastructure and geographic positioning gives it the potential to expand its role as a regional centre for outsourced services, digital solutions and technology-driven investment.
