H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat: "Egypt's Startup Charter" Will Represent a Unified Roadmap Defining the State's Commitment to Supporting Startups

The Charter will include more than 70 procedures and policy actions developed in coordination with 19 government entities to enhance the entrepreneurship ecosystem and restore the confidence of all stakeholders, both domestically and internationally.

The "Startup Label" will be granted to companies that comply with specific criteria, facilitating and expand their access to funding and markets.

Launch of an online platform for registering and licensing startups and a unified funding initiative aimed at unifying efforts between various government and private entities to support over 5,000 startups.

The Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship is working collaboratively with the startup community, adhering to best international practices.

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, participated in the 2025 Fintech Forum, held under the slogan: "Legislation to Promote Growth and Finance," organized by the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA). 

The forum was attended by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Farid, Chairman of the FRA. This forum is a significant event bringing together the FRA, business leaders, investors, technology-driven startup founders, and fintech innovators for a high-level dialogue and strategic exchange of visions and expertise.

In her opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat commended the Financial Regulatory Authority’s efforts, which have had a significant impact on strengthening the regulatory framework and developing the fintech environment in the non-banking financial sector. 

This paved the way for the forum's convening, serving as a celebration of achievements and an inauguration of new initiatives in the same supportive direction for this vital sector. 

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat pointed out that despite the successive challenges facing the Egyptian economy in recent years, the fintech sector in Egypt has witnessed unprecedented growth, with the number of fintech companies increasing more than fivefold over the past five years. 

This clearly indicates accelerated innovation in financial services and increased demand for technological solutions that contribute to financial inclusion and access for broader segments of society, raising the financial inclusion rate to nearly 75% by the end of last year. 

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat highlighted that this development resulted from the availability of several success factors, including a clear legislative framework, a strong will from the Financial Regulatory Authority and the Central Bank of Egypt to promote digital transformation and non-cash financial transactions, in addition to effective dialogue among all relevant stakeholders, especially the private sector. 

These elements combined are fundamental factors for the success of any startup ecosystem, which is the backbone of innovation and growth in any sector.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat referred to the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship, established by a decree of the Prime Minister, chaired by the Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, and including all relevant ministers and entities. 

Its aim is to enhance the capacity of startups and the entrepreneurship environment to achieve sustainable and accelerated economic growth based on competitiveness and knowledge, contributing to the creation of decent job opportunities. 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat added that since its formation, the Ministerial Group has worked collaboratively with the startup community and according to best international practices. Working groups were formed, comprising representatives from the entrepreneurship community, including startup founders, investors, supporting entities, members of parliamentary councils, and civil society.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat mentioned that in light of the effective participation of the Financial Regulatory Authority within the Ministerial Group, several meetings for extensive consultation and coordination with the Authority were held. 

These meetings resulted in the identification of 8 policies to stimulate fintech growth and promote innovation in the non-banking financial sector, including venture capital and crowdfunding platforms, thereby facilitating access to finance, expanding the beneficiary base, and attracting more local and international investments. 

These agreed-upon policies and procedures were also included in a broader package of 77 procedures and policies, developed in coordination with 19 government entities. All will be announced within the framework of "Egypt's Startup Charter," which represents a unified roadmap defining the state's commitments to supporting startups and reflects a comprehensive reform vision being implemented in measured stages. This will enhance the entrepreneurship environment and restore the confidence of all stakeholders, both domestically and internationally.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat underscored that it was essential to establish a unified definition for startups, allowing for efficient allocation of government resources and ensuring that policies and incentives reach actual beneficiaries. A definition for startups has already been adopted, and a "Startup Label" has been developed, granted to companies adhering to specified criteria, thus facilitating their access to funding and markets. This constitutes a key executive step towards activating Egypt's Startup Charter. 

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat noted that efforts also include working on launching an online platform for registering and licensing startups, as well as a unified funding initiative, aiming to unify efforts between various government and private entities to support over 5,000 startups, including companies in the fintech sector. Some of these will contribute to women's economic empowerment, enhance social and environmental impacts, and provide approximately 500,000 direct and indirect job opportunities.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat mentioned that a program has been designed to support ScaleUps—those that have attracted advanced levels of funding—through procedures that facilitate their expansion into regional and international markets. This also includes a "soft landing" program to facilitate the transition of international companies wishing to operate within the Egyptian market, providing a supportive regulatory and commercial environment. 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat added that all these efforts have been implemented through continuous and diligent work—away from the spotlight—and in close coordination with the entrepreneurship community over recent months, to ensure a comprehensive vision that meets the aspirations of entrepreneurs.

The final touches are currently being made, and these efforts will soon be officially announced as part of a single package and within the framework of launching "Egypt's Startup Charter," with the aim of creating strong national momentum to propel the Egyptian startup environment to a competitive position globally.

The Minister stated that the importance of fintech lies in its ability to redefine the relationship of individuals and institutions with the banking and non-banking financial sectors, accelerate digital transformation, promote transparency, and expand the beneficiary base, especially in marginalized or underserved areas. 

The financial sector also plays a pivotal role in attracting international development financing for the private sector, as data confirms that approximately 41% of development finance in Egypt is channeled through intermediary financial institutions, including banks, private equity funds, fintechs and venture capital funds.

This highlights the increasing attractiveness of the financial sector and the role of fintech in supporting sustainable development by facilitating access to development finance, stimulating investment, and increasing the competitiveness of Egyptian startups.

She noted that to bridge the information gap and unify direct communication mechanisms between development partners and the private sector, and to maximize these partnerships, the Ministry launched the "HAFIZ" Hub for Advisory, Finance, and Investment for Enterprises . This Hub provides the private sector, of all sizes and activities, with over 90 services and more than 1,000 local and international opportunities, making it a comprehensive, unified platform and an important window to partnership opportunities between the private sector and development partners. 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat pointed out that these efforts have resulted in the formulation and implementation of projects in various and multiple sectors, with development financing provided for these projects by development partners exceeding $15.6 billion from 2020 to May 2025, made available by over 30 bilateral and multilateral development partners. 

She also noted that banks and financial institutions are among the sectors that have benefited most from development financing since 2020, accounting for over 40% of total development financing.