Egyptian startups raised $614m in funding in 2025, marking a 51% year-on-year increase, as the government moves closer to launching a broad package of measures aimed at strengthening the country’s entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The figures, presented during a meeting of the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship, combine equity and debt financing and underscore growing investor interest in Egypt’s startup market. Separate data from Magnitt shows that startups secured about $304m across 69 venture capital deals last year, alongside 12 mergers and acquisitions, the highest number of exits recorded in Africa during the period.
The meeting was chaired by Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s minister of planning, economic development and international cooperation, and followed directives from Mostafa Madbouly to enhance investment and innovation. Officials reviewed plans to establish a new institutional body to support startups and coordinate policy implementation.
Central to the reforms is a proposed Startup Charter, described as an executive roadmap comprising more than 80 government actions to provide policy clarity and improve coordination across state entities. The government is also preparing a unified definition for startups, a startup classification certificate, and a single government guide covering more than 170 licensing and support services offered by 35 public bodies.
Additional initiatives include the launch of a Startup Ecosystem Observatory to track data and assess policy impact, as well as a Scale-Ups Support Programme aimed at preparing high-growth companies for regional expansion and potential stock market listings.
The meeting brought together several cabinet ministers and representatives from key financial and regulatory institutions, including the Central Bank of Egypt and the Financial Regulatory Authority. Discussions focused on streamlining procedures related to taxation, labour and social insurance, expanding incubators and accelerators, protecting intellectual property, and increasing startup participation in government projects.
Officials said the rise in M&A activity reflects growing interest from local and international strategic investors, aligning with Egypt’s broader goal of building a knowledge-based economy and creating jobs by linking entrepreneurship with research and industrial needs.
