The General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) recently held the first meeting of its Advisory Council, dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and startups. The session, led by GAFI CEO Hossam Heiba and the Central Administration for Entrepreneurship’s Hossam Abdel Qader, brought together private sector leaders from Egypt’s vibrant entrepreneurial landscape.
Chaired by Mohamed Fahmy of Logic Consulting Group, the council boasts influential figures such as Sameer Al-Ali, Chairperson of the Business Angels Association and Chairperson of Invista Capital Group for Financial Investments; Ahmed Tarek, Chairperson of Allianz; Hany El Sonbaty, Managing Partner at Sawari Ventures and co-founder of Flat6Labs; Hanan Abdel Meguid, Founder and Executive Partner at Kamelizer Technology; Omar El Metwally, CEO of Sigma Fit; Ahmed El Sherif, CEO of Averroes Ventures; Abdel Hameed Sharara, Founder and CEO of RiseUp; Mohamed Ezzat, Founder of Bosta; Amr El Abd, CEO of Endeavor Egypt; Mohamed Ehab, Executive Director of Entlaq for entrepreneurship support; Louay El Shawarby, Head of Shawarby Law Firm; Haitham Abu Al Nasr, Board Member at M Strategy Global; and Ziad Wafik, Founder of Project 2043.
Following the launch of the Entrepreneurship and Startup Unit and its digital platform last month, GAFI’s new initiative seeks to collaborate with entrepreneurs, addressing their challenges and incorporating their insights to foster a conducive business environment. The advisory council, representing the private sector’s voice, will guide the unit in crafting policies and regulations to nurture startup growth.
Mohamed Fahmy disclosed that an action plan, resonating with the “Egypt Vision 2030” strategy and aimed at refining the entrepreneurial ecosystem, is underway.
Heiba emphasized GAFI’s commitment to working with the council to instil an entrepreneurial spirit within governmental frameworks, streamline processes for startups, and forge international partnerships. Additionally, GAFI plans to expand the Entrepreneurship Support Unit’s presence across its free zones, starting with new locations in Nasr City and Alexandria.
