Egypt's Economy Demonstrates Strong Resilience with 5.1% Growth Rate in Fiscal Year 2025/2026

Minister of Planning and Economic Development Ahmed Rostom announced that the Egyptian economy has successfully exhibited exceptional resilience against regional and international challenges. Speaking at the fourth edition of the Egyptian Entrepreneurship Sector Summit (2026 SDR Summit)—organized by Entlaq under the theme “Data × Innovation: Reimagining Egypt’s Entrepreneurship Landscape”—he highlighted that the growth rate climbed to 5.1 percent for the fiscal year 2025/2026, surpassing previous projections by major international institutions and improving upon the 4.4 percent recorded in the prior fiscal year.

Rostom emphasized that the true measure of this economic performance stems from the quality and origin of the growth. Specifically, the industrial, trade, and information and communications technology (ICT) sectors accounted for approximately 48 percent of the total growth. He pointed to non-oil manufacturing as a prime example of successful government initiatives aimed at fortifying the nation's productive base.

Addressing inflation and employment, Rostom noted that the annual inflation rate decreased to 12.7 percent in August 2026 from 13 percent in August 2025, while underscoring the ongoing necessity to curb inflation and generate further job opportunities. Furthermore, he commended the high quality of Egypt's economic data, which has earned validation from global institutions, allowing the country to navigate previous economic shocks effectively.

Looking toward future development, the government aims to elevate the private sector's investment share from 59 percent to 64 percent by 2030, drawing capital from diverse fields like ICT and logistics, particularly within the Suez Canal Economic Zone. To further foster growth, ongoing efforts are directed at settling dues for foreign petroleum companies, restructuring the National Investment Bank alongside partners like NI Capital and Ayady, and utilizing a World Bank financing guarantee mechanism for infrastructure projects.

Regarding startups and innovation, the Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship is actively building a flexible regulatory framework to boost venture capital and private-sector partnerships. Concluding his remarks, Rostom affirmed that Egypt's overarching strategy centers on a comprehensive economic transformation program targeting competitiveness and private investment expansion across five primary sectors: industry, agriculture and food processing, tourism, ICT, and energy security.