Egypt’s push for female economic inclusion is gaining momentum as the state-backed enterprise agency ramps up its support for women-led businesses. Basil Rahmi, CEO of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), announced new initiatives providing tailored financial and technical support to encourage young women and fresh graduates to build their own ventures.
Quick Facts
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18.7 billion EGP disbursed to women-led projects since 2014.
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45% of total MSMEDA funding backs female founders.
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56,000 women trained in core entrepreneurship skills.
Driving Economic Inclusion Across Egypt
Coinciding with Egyptian Women’s Day, MSMEDA outlined its broader strategy to foster female entrepreneurship through direct coordination with government entities, civil society organizations, and the private sector. The agency is prioritizing a supportive business environment that provides women with technical, administrative, and financial products required to start or scale their ventures.
A core component of this strategy targets geographic inclusivity. MSMEDA is heavily focusing on production and craft clusters in border governorates and Upper Egypt, regions that require intensive economic development. By promoting self-employment and micro-enterprises in these areas, the agency aims to elevate living standards and create stable income streams for women outside major urban centers.
The agency also pairs its enterprise development with community responsibility programs. These initiatives include health awareness campaigns and literacy classes targeting women in rural villages, ensuring a holistic approach to empowerment.
Capital Allocation and Job Creation
Data released by MSMEDA highlights the scale of its financial commitment to female founders. Between July 2014 and the end of the 2025 strategic period, the agency directed 45% of its total funding for micro, small, and medium enterprises to projects owned or managed by women.
This capital allocation translates to 18.7 billion EGP, financing approximately 934,000 diverse projects across the agricultural, industrial, production, service, and commercial sectors.
The economic ripple effect of this funding generated around 1.3 million direct job opportunities. Furthermore, MSMEDA’s community development projects created 18.9 million daily work shifts for women over the same period.
Beyond Capital: Market Access and Capacity Building
Funding is only one part of the equation for MSMEDA. The agency places heavy emphasis on market access and operational training to ensure business longevity.
To date, 28% of the agency’s marketing services have been allocated to women-led businesses. MSMEDA actively assists female entrepreneurs in opening new local and regional sales channels, offering digital marketing support and professional product photography.
Physical retail access remains a priority, with female founders making up 55% of participants in local exhibitions, including the prominent Torathna Exhibition for heritage and handicrafts. On the educational front, the agency has trained 56,000 women, equipping them with the practical skills needed to manage and scale modern businesses.
About MSMEDA
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA) is an Egyptian state institution tasked with coordinating and unifying efforts to develop the SME sector. The agency provides financial backing, technical assistance, and capacity-building programs to entrepreneurs, acting as the primary catalyst for small business growth, job creation, and economic empowerment across Egypt.
Source: Elbalad
