Egypt Partners with World Bank to Supercharge Investment and Boost Exports

Egypt is collaborating with the World Bank Group to forge a new investment promotion strategy designed to maximize the economic benefits of foreign investment, enhance productive capacity, and significantly increase exports. This initiative will focus on directing investments towards sectors and activities that are critical for development and are integrated into global value chains.

Mohamed Farid, Egypt's Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, announced this cooperation on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. He made these remarks during a session at the 2026 World Investment Forum in Doha, Qatar, organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The forum brought together officials, experts, and representatives from financial and development institutions to discuss "The Role of the Private Sector in Financing Development in Developing Countries."

The strategy aims to pinpoint priority sectors and opportunities within value chains. The goal is to channel investment into areas that bolster production and export capabilities, strengthen connections between large-scale projects and local suppliers and manufacturers, and leverage opportunities in manufacturing related to renewable energy initiatives.

Minister Farid highlighted that attracting sustained private investment hinges on clear and stable economic policies, simplified investment procedures, and efficient licensing and approval processes. He also emphasized the importance of utilizing Egypt's extensive network of trade agreements to grant investors access to broader regional and international markets.

Furthermore, Farid stressed the necessity of preparing bankable projects through comprehensive technical and economic studies, developing robust financial models, identifying potential risks, and building institutional capacity, particularly in the crucial sectors of infrastructure, water, and energy.

He added that the development of domestic capital markets, coupled with the provision of investment guarantees and risk-mitigation mechanisms, is vital for mobilizing savings and diversifying development financing. This is especially pertinent given the current global economic climate characterized by high interest rates, intense competition for capital, and a discernible shift towards rapidly growing sectors like artificial intelligence.

Addressing the broader African context, Farid advocated for enhanced integration of capital markets and the harmonization of regulations and disclosure requirements. These measures would facilitate cross-border investment in public offerings and expand the investor base across the continent.

He also underscored that harmonizing standards, rules of origin, and trade procedures under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) would significantly support industrial integration. This would empower African companies to penetrate new markets and attract increased investment.

In conclusion, Farid stated that reinforcing the private sector's role in financing development requires a cohesive framework. This framework should be built upon stable economic policies, the identification of production and export opportunities, the meticulous preparation of projects for financing, the advancement of financial markets, and the deepening of economic integration among African nations.