Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) has published an official guide explaining how investors can use the country’s electronic Investment Licensing Platform, a digital system launched in June to simplify and unify procedures for obtaining business licenses and regulatory approvals. The platform enables investors to complete the entire licensing process online, reducing administrative complexity and limiting the need for in-person interactions with government bodies.
According to GAFI, the platform is designed to guide investors through a clear, end-to-end digital journey that begins with:
- Register
Investors begin by registering on the Digital Egypt platform, then creating an account on the Investment Licensing Platform to initiate their investment process. - Apply
Users select their business activity and the corresponding license, review all regulatory requirements in advance, and submit their application digitally. - Upload
Required documents are uploaded electronically, eliminating paper submissions and repetitive filing. - Track
Applicants can monitor their application status in real time, follow progress step by step, and interact with requests for clarification or additional information. - Pay
All applicable fees are paid securely through integrated electronic payment channels. - Receive
Once approved, the final license is issued digitally, without the need for repeated visits to different authorities.
The Investment Licensing Platform integrates services from across the state apparatus, providing access to 460 services offered by 41 government entities, including approvals, permits, and sector-specific licenses. The system was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, with a focus on reducing processing times, cutting paperwork, and strengthening transparency and governance across public services.
GAFI stated that licenses can be issued within 20 working days, provided that all required documentation is complete, underscoring the authority’s broader effort to modernise public administration and improve regulatory predictability for investors. Technical support and investor inquiries are handled through official GAFI communication channels and a dedicated hotline.
The authority emphasized that the platform forms part of Egypt’s wider digital transformation agenda and aligns with Egypt Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the efficiency of public administration, improve the investment climate, and encourage both domestic and foreign investment through streamlined, technology-driven services.
