Egypt is set to host the Global Entrepreneurship Festival, bringing together over 10,000 attendees from more than 70 countries, including top investors and business leaders from various sectors. Scheduled for September 18-20, the event aims to facilitate discussions around deal-making, innovation, and cross-border expansion.
This year’s festival features prominent figures such as Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, British-Egyptian businessman Sir Mohamed Mansour, and Nigerian entrepreneur Folorunsho Alakija. Delegates from the United States include former 7-Eleven CEO Jim Keyes and South African entrepreneur Vusi Thembekwayo, alongside Indian leader Dr. Harbeen Arora Rai and renowned surgeon Prof. Sir Magdi Yacoub.
Organizers at EgyptInnovate have highlighted the festival’s goal of connecting young entrepreneurs with influential business leaders and investors. Ambassador Nabila Makram, Secretary-General of the festival, noted that specialized coaching will help startup founders deliver concise five-minute pitch presentations to potential funders.
The event follows previous editions held in Nigeria and Ghana, with Egypt securing the hosting rights after competing against four other nations. Dr. Smart Francis, President of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival in Africa, stated that the festival aims to generate over $250 million in investment deals and partnerships through its dedicated Deal Room, a significant increase from about $55 million achieved in the last edition.
To enhance opportunities for participating companies, the festival has partnered with Shark Tank to evaluate early-stage ventures, with plans to invest directly in selected startups. Additionally, the gathering will promote conference tourism and strengthen economic ties between Africa and global markets.
Baheir Mounir Ghabour, President of the Egyptian edition of the festival, emphasized that the event is designed to unite Egyptian and international businesses, foster partnerships, and support the growth of conference tourism in Egypt. The festival will include 12 core activity tracks ranging from leadership forums to international women’s conferences, aiming to build a sustainable network for emerging enterprises long into the future.
Other notable business leaders expected at the festival include Mohamed M. Abou El Enein from Egypt, H.E. Lujiana Mohsin Darwish from Oman, and representatives from Ghana, Japan, Qatar, and various African countries.
As Egypt prepares to welcome this diverse group of influential figures, the festival sets its sights on fostering innovation and investment on the continent.
