5 growing industries in Egypt in 2026

Egypt is making bold moves to grow its economy, diversifying its activities, setting ambitious goals, catering to export needs even amid structural difficulties…and these efforts are paying off.

For investors eyeing Egypt, the sectors below are worth a close look. Each comes with its own regulatory considerations, but the fundamentals are strong.

1.     Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Egypt

Over a whopping 8 years, the ICT sector has been the highest-growing sector in Egypt, with a sustained annual growth rate of 14-16%. Digital exports have risen by 25% since 2022, turning the sector into one of the fastest-growing contributors to the Egyptian economy.

This success is not a matter of coincidence or luck, Egypt has carefully built the foundations to support this industry, namely:  

1. Infrastructure

Egypt houses a robust connectivity landscape, driven by its strategic position as a global submarine cable hub bridging Europe, Africa, and Asia. It also hosts commercial 5G services across all major operators, rapidly expanding fibre-optic networks, and widespread eSIM availability.

2. Talent

Egypt has a young, highly educated and multilingual workforce, all supported by structured capacity-building programs.

3. Innovation & Regulation

The country has introduced progressive legislation that enables innovation while safeguarding data, security, and trust. The launch of programmes such as the Digital Egypt Strategy for Offshoring exemplifies this.

2.     Renewable Energy in Egypt

Egypt holds the sixth-largest oil reserves in Africa. It already produces its own power, with refining infrastructure processing at least 38 million tonnes of oil annually. That foundation has made Egypt a meaningful energy exporter to Africa, with ambitions to extend its reach into European markets.

But the country’s energy story is increasingly about what comes next. Egypt is targeting 45,000 megawatts of renewable capacity in the coming years, with wind, solar, and green hydrogen all central to that push.

By 2030, the goal is for renewables to make up at least 42% of total energy production.

Progress is already tangible. The Benban Solar Park, a 1,600 MW facility and the largest of its kind in Africa, stands as a marker of how seriously Egypt is taking the transition. Egyptian companies are also active beyond their borders, with wind and solar projects running in countries including Senegal and South Africa.

3.     Agribusiness in Egypt

Egypt’s agribusiness sector is emerging as one of the more interesting investment stories on the continent. With the Nile providing fertile agricultural land and a climate suited to year-round cultivation, Egypt’s agricultural climate is all set for abundance. It produces a wide range of crops including citrus fruits, vegetables, and sugar cane, many of which are destined for export markets in Europe and the Gulf.

The government has also invested in land reclamation programmes to expand arable area. These initiatives are attracting interest from agri-tech companies looking to apply precision farming solutions at scale.

Food processing is another area of growth for investors. Egypt is currently looking to move up the value chain and export finished goods rather than just raw commodities. For investors, the combination of low production costs, a large domestic consumer base, and improving logistics infrastructure makes agribusiness a sector worth watching closely.

4.     Tourism in Egypt

Egypt broke its tourism record in 2024, attracting 15.7 million visitors.

Then it broke it again.

The North Coast alone welcomed guests from 104 nationalities over a single summer, and the Red Sea continues to draw a growing share of international travellers, with Sharm El-Sheikh, Sahl Hasheesh, and Hurghada all establishing themselves as destinations in their own right.

The government is not resting on those numbers. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities H.E. Sherif Fathy has set a target of 30 million tourists by 2030, and the infrastructure to support that ambition is taking shape. Flight routes are expanding, with new connections added from the UK, Eastern countries, and across Europe.

The Grand Egyptian Museum is perhaps the most visible symbol of where Egypt’s tourism offer is heading. Partially open and due for full inauguration in 2025, it is designed to be far more than a heritage site.

For investors, the opportunities are broad. Accommodation, luxury experiences, food and beverage, and entertainment concepts are all areas where demand is outpacing supply.

5.     Export-oriented manufacturing in Egypt

Egypt sits at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. This location is a genuine advantage, and the country is leaning into it, positioning itself as a manufacturing base for regional and international markets alike.

The government has been building out special economic zones and industrial parks to attract foreign investment, and the momentum is building. Pharmaceuticals, textiles, automotive components, and electronics assembly are all areas of growing activity. Egypt’s membership of the African Continental Free Trade Area adds further appeal, opening up preferential export access to markets across the continent.

That said, investors should go in with a clear picture of the landscape. Local requirements, import regulations, and currency complexities all need to be factored in. With the right local support, though, they are manageable, and many international companies are already proving that.

Choose an African EOR to expand into Egypt

Opportunity is real in Egypt.

But the combination of a fast-moving economy, a foreign regulatory environment, and strong competition for skilled workers means that getting the operational foundations right matters from the start.

Through our EOR solutions, we support you from the very first steps of your business journey in Egypt. We offer you the speed, compliance, and local knowledge to onboard confidently in Egypt without the time and cost of building a local entity, so your focus stays where it belongs: on the business.

To find out more about how we can help you, chat with one of our consultants today.