Egypt has unveiled a new national Startup Charter aimed at reshaping its entrepreneurship ecosystem. The initiative targets USD 5 billion in venture capital investment, supports thousands of startups, and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs. The announcement took place at the RiseUp Summit and signals a strong policy shift toward startup led growth.
The charter reflects Egypt’s intent to become a leading startup hub across the region.
A National Push for Startup Growth
The Ministerial Group for Entrepreneurship introduced the Startup Charter in the presence of Moustafa Madbouli and Rania Al-Mashat. The group aims to align public policy with private capital and startup needs.
The charter sets clear national goals, including:
- Attracting up to USD 5 billion in venture investment
- Supporting the growth of 5,000 startups
- Creating nearly 500,000 direct and indirect jobs
The government plans to use public funding, guarantees, and co investment models with private funds to reach these targets.
A Unified Regulatory Guide for Startups
The Startup Charter serves as Egypt’s first unified regulatory guide for startups. It brings clarity to founders who often face complex procedures across multiple agencies.
The guide provides:
- A single reference for documents, fees, and approvals
- Coordinated access to government financing programs
- Clear procedures adopted by relevant authorities
The charter also introduces a dedicated feedback channel. Startups can raise complaints and report challenges during implementation. Authorities will use this input to refine policies and improve execution.
Data Driven Policy Monitoring
Alongside the charter, the government plans to launch a national observatory for entrepreneurship. This body will track policy outcomes and ecosystem performance.
The monitoring framework focuses on:
- Measuring the impact of startup policies
- Tracking funding flows and job creation
- Using data and founder feedback to adjust programs
This approach aims to move policy from intent to measurable results.
Tax and Customs Incentives for Startups
The charter introduces a broad package of incentives for startups that obtain an official classification certificate. These incentives target companies with annual revenues below EGP 20 million.
Key benefits include:
- Simplified income tax rates between 0.4 percent and 1.5 percent
- Exemptions on capital gains, dividends, stamp duty, and registration fees
- Quarterly VAT filing instead of monthly submissions
- First tax inspection after five years
Startups also gain customs benefits. Qualified companies will pay a unified customs rate of 2 percent on imported machinery and equipment. They can also pay customs duties on production inputs in installments over six months.
Strengthening Egypt’s Startup Future
The Startup Charter positions entrepreneurship as a core economic driver. It reduces friction, lowers costs, and improves access to capital. It also supports local talent and helps startups expand into global markets.
By aligning regulation, finance, and incentives, Egypt signals long term commitment to its startup ecosystem. The charter sets a clear roadmap for growth, accountability, and scale.