Egypt is seeking support from the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) to expand export financing and back startups developing technology for overseas trade.
Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid discussed the proposals with ITFC CEO Adeeb Yousuf Al-Aama, including plans to channel international funding through the Sovereign Fund of Egypt to factoring companies. The company said this could give businesses faster access to cash against unpaid invoices, helping increase the number of exporters and foreign currency inflows.
Farid also proposed ITFC support for a regulatory sandbox focused on financial and trade technology. The platform would allow startups to develop data- and AI-based tools to help exporters reach international markets. He stressed that participating startups would also need access to financing.
According to the announcement, ITFC is developing tailored financing programmes for Egyptian exporters, with further cooperation potentially covered by the Egypt Country Program 2026–2027 under the Arab Africa Trade Bridges initiative.
Egypt also outlined plans for 15 to 20 investment zones spanning industrial, logistics, manufacturing and services businesses. The government is seeking public-private partnerships to finance infrastructure, while smaller zones near residential communities could support local job creation.
Source: Fast Company Middle East
