Egypt launches third Global Entrepreneurship Festival in Cairo

Egypt on Saturday launched the third edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF), ias the government seeks to strengthen the country’s role in regional startup financing and international business partnerships.

The launch event and press conference, held in Cairo under the patronage of Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, marked the start of preparations for the main three-day summit scheduled for 6-8 Nov., 2026, at the JW Marriott Hotel Cairo.

The November event is expected to attract more than 10,000 participants from over 70 countries, with 60 international speakers and more than 100 exhibitors.

“For the three days of the festival, Egypt will become a global hub for entrepreneurs.” the organisers said.

The summit will be held in partnership with Egypt’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), with a focus on linking African startups with investors and expanding access to global markets.

Founded in 2024, the festival operates on a rotating host-country model aimed at supporting entrepreneurship ecosystems and regional investment activity.

The 2026 edition follows previous events in Nigeria and Ghana, including the 2025 gathering in Accra, which focused on leadership and scaling strategies for growth-stage businesses.

The Egyptian chapter of the summit is chaired by businessman Baher Mounir Ghabbour, while former immigration minister Nabila Makram serves as secretary-general.