The National Council for Women (NCW) made a strong presence at the 10th edition of Food Africa, the continent’s leading food and beverage trade fair. Held from 9-12 December 2025, the NCW pavilion highlighted the innovation, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of Egyptian women, transforming local agricultural traditions into competitive, market-ready enterprises.
Empowering Growth and Sustainability
Mai Mahmoud, Director General of the NCW’s Women’s Skills Development Centre, stressed that the Council’s participation went beyond exhibition to represent a strategic investment in sustainable development.
“We are committed to enhancing women’s productive and marketing capabilities,” Mahmoud said. “This platform helps bridge the gap between rural production and international markets, directly improving women’s livelihoods and ensuring the long-term sustainability of their projects.”
Spotlight on Upper Egypt
The NCW pavilion showcased a carefully selected group of women-led projects from Luxor and Minia, many of which provide viable economic alternatives in communities vulnerable to irregular migration.
Featured projects included:
- Aton for Drying (Luxor): A project funded through the Addressing the Economic Drivers of Irregular Migration initiative, specialising in high-quality dried agricultural products.
- Sakhra Apiary (Minia): An artisanal honey enterprise that has expanded through NCW funding and technical support.
- Kavoura: An innovative brand offering a wide range of premium chocolate products.
- Nature Kingdom: A venture dedicated to fruit-drying techniques, producing healthy and naturally preserved snacks.
A Gateway to the World
Through its participation in Food Africa, the NCW continues to open new horizons for female entrepreneurs by connecting them with regional and international markets. The exhibition provided a vital networking platform, enabling women business owners to exchange expertise with global industry leaders and establish partnerships capable of taking their products from Upper Egypt to consumers around the world.
This participation underscores a central pillar of the NCW’s broader mission: demonstrating that when women are economically empowered, families, communities and local economies flourish.
