Doing Business in Cairo: Navigating a Path to Economic Resilience

Egypt has long been a pivotal force in the Middle East and North Africa. Located at a crossroads of global trade routes, the country was a strategic partner for numerous regional and global powers. However, a substantial currency devaluation in 2016 brought many deep-seated structural challenges to light. As the currency weakened, inflation surged, and economic uncertainty deepened. In response, Egypt introduced a series of structural reforms to strengthen its economy, but many challenges remained entrenched. Moreover, the country’s historic reliance on imports left it vulnerable to external shocks, further straining the currency and depleting foreign reserves. Amid these challenges, Egypt found renewed support in 2024 as major investments from neighboring Gulf countries injected much-needed foreign capital into the economy. Yet questions remained—chief among them: Would these large-scale investments lay the foundation for long-term stability, or merely delay the need for deeper structural reforms?