The Founder of the Egyptian Franchise Development Association (EFDA), Moataz Al-Alfi, stated in a roundtable meeting on Wednesday, that the total investments of franchising in Egypt recorded about EGP 80bn, with an estimated annual sales of EGP 14bn.
He added that the franchise sector in Egypt provides 900m direct job opportunities, and 1,900m indirect job opportunities. AL-Alfi also said that the number of the franchise systems in Egypt registered at 800, under which there are 60,000 shops operating.
For his part, Hatem Zaki, head of the World Franchise Council (WFC) General Secretariat, noted that there are about 800 franchise chains operating in Egypt, 55% representing foreign brands, and 45% representing domestic brands.
This roundtable meeting was held during the preparations for Egypt`s hosting the meeting of the WFC, in conjunction with holding the 16th franchise exhibition, in the period from 17th to 19th November, in Cairo. The fair will be held under the auspices of the Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly.
In that context, Zaki revealed that such an important event represents a great opportunity for the franchise grantors to present their trademarks and expand their activities, by participating in the exhibition, with the presence of 46 entities, representing thousands of franchise projects around the world.
Notably, the WFC is a non-political association of over 40 national franchise associations from around the world, in addition to the EU, Ibero-American Franchise Federation (FIAF), and the Asia-Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC).
During the meeting, Zaki announced that this year, Egypt is hosting three meetings, the first one is of the WFC, the second one is of the APFC, in addition to the meeting of the FIAF which ensures Egypt’s great presence.
Concerning the 16th franchise exhibition he stated that it will include 75 pavilions, with eight brands from China, four brands from Singapore, and four from Lebanon.
He added that the exhibition will also include brands from other countries, including the US, Turkey, Malaysia, The UK, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, China, in addition to the Egyptian brands.
Furthermore, Zaki announced that a number of banks will also participate in the exhibition, including the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) and the Export development Bank (EDC), in addition to the participation of 38 associations from across the world.
He noted that some insurance companies will also be participating in the exhibition, including the Delta Insurance Company.
“After the inauguration of the exhibition, there will be a session for the presidents of the associations that represent 45,000 brands, to discuss the different investment opportunities available in Egypt,” he said.
Zaki stated that six ministers will attend the exhibition, but he did not mention who they were.
Regarding the 16th franchise exhibition, he mentioned that this year the fair will be launched under the theme of “Social franchise and sustainable development”, noting that it will offer a group of franchise opportunities on the local and international levels, and encourage investors to get a franchise through boosting investments and signing trade deals.
He assured that the conference will introduce the franchise’s social role, through the presentation of a number of social development activities.
On the other hand, Zaki announced that during the exhibition, it is planned that the EFDA will sign a protocol with the International Franchise Association (IFA), in order to receive the international certificate for professional manager, which is the first time in Egypt for the EFDA to obtain this certificate.
Zaki ensured that all the franchise projects operate in the formal sector, which will improve the Egyptian economy.
For his part, Al-Alfi said that the focus of the EFDA in the last four years, was in the services sector more than the products sector.
