Egypt has launched its first-ever “National Startup Charter,” committing USD 1 billion in funding and new policies to stimulate innovation, create jobs, and drive economic growth in the North African country.
The official launch took place on February 7 at the Grand Egyptian Museum, attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Rania Al-Mashat, key members of the entrepreneurial ministerial group, the governor of Giza, ambassadors, and various stakeholders from the startup ecosystem and venture capital funds.
“The Startup Charter represents a strategic framework to enhance the capabilities of startups and the entrepreneurial ecosystem, aiming for rapid, sustainable economic growth driven by competitiveness and innovation, while also contributing to job creation. The initiative follows over a year of consultations involving 15 national entities and more than 250 representatives from the startup ecosystem, entrepreneurs, and parliamentary bodies,” according to an official statement from the Egyptian Cabinet. As outlined by the “Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship,” the charter is designed to support up to 5,000 startups, generate an estimated 500,000 direct and indirect jobs, and accelerate international expansion.
Egypt’s startup ecosystem has gained significant traction in recent years, with ventures attracting USD 228 million in venture capital and debt financing during the first five months of 2025 alone, marking a notable increase from the 2024 situation. Official figures indicate that total funding for the sector reached USD 614 million in 2025, a sign of growing investor confidence and a more diverse financing landscape.
The charter has set out several key objectives over the next five years, including accelerating startup expansion into international markets, developing local talent to combat brain drain, promoting venture capital, and attracting investments through a unified financing initiative. It also seeks to connect critical challenges in various sectors with innovative solutions from startups.
While describing the reform as the first step toward modernising Egypt’s policies and legislation to better support startups, Al-Mashat further emphasised that the charter is not just a theoretical document but a practical and adaptable tool that will evolve to meet technological advancements and market needs. She further highlighted that the priorities of the charter were determined after extensive consultations with key stakeholders, aiming to create a dynamic and sustainable business environment that fosters innovation and attracts investment.
One key feature of the “Startup Charter” is the introduction of a unified definition of startups, newly established companies with a focus on rapid growth, flexibility, and innovation. This definition will allow startups to access a range of incentives and benefits, including official classification certifications from small and medium enterprise authorities.
“Additionally, it includes a unified financing initiative designed to coordinate available funding resources from government entities. The initiative aims to amplify the impact of these resources by up to four times, to mobilise USD 1 billion over the next five years through government-backed guarantees, joint investments with venture capital funds, and collaboration with private-sector investors,” Arab News reported.