Egypt’s startup market needs faster internet, more flexible regulations and clearer exit routes if local companies are to scale regionally and internationally, according to Reem El Saady, managing director and deputy head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s Egypt office for government relations.
Speaking at Techne Summit Cairo 2026, El Saady said discussions with founders point to a broader need for infrastructure and services that help companies turn funding into sustainable growth. Startups, she noted, need reliable connectivity to work with global markets, alongside infrastructure suited to operating and expanding their businesses.
She also called for greater founder input in policymaking, arguing that traditional regulations may not reflect the needs of companies at different stages of development. A unified digital platform could help entrepreneurs find financing, training, expertise and relevant support programs without navigating fragmented information.
El Saady said a stronger venture capital market also depends on effective exit mechanisms, allowing investors to recycle returns into new companies. She pointed to the use of legal structures in Delaware and the Cayman Islands as evidence of the importance of familiar, clear frameworks for international investors.
According to El Saady, capital alone is not enough. Egypt needs financing tools for different stages of a startup’s lifecycle, particularly early-stage funding, alongside knowledge, training, infrastructure and market access.
Source: Fintech Gate
