Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has opened registration for the first cycle of Riyadia, a new incubator for women-led startups focused on the circular economy.
The program is being developed with Gulf of Suez Petroleum Company (GAPCO) and 18 local and international partners. It is open to women entrepreneurs and technology specialists in Greater Cairo, Upper Egypt and the Red Sea governorate.
The first cycle will focus on agriculture, the environment, handicrafts and local production. Participants will work on digital solutions related to resource management, waste reduction, reuse and recycling, with the aim of turning early ideas into viable businesses.
Riyadia will include participant selection, training, capacity building, hackathons and practical activities. Selected projects will then receive incubation, technical mentoring, investor and market connections, and support in developing their business models.
Partners include the United Nations Development Programme, the International Labour Organization, Egypt’s National Council for Women and Banque du Caire, alongside universities and research institutions, according to the announcement.
Separately, the ministry and the National Bank of Egypt trained 194 women entrepreneurs and handicraft business owners through the online Qodwa-Tech initiative. The training covered marketing, relationship-building, business finance, financial statements, business model development and legal incorporation.
Source: Arageek
