Building on that, authorities discussed the value of leveraging digital platforms to fill information gaps and better inform the private sector on how to access development finance and international tenders.
In this regard, the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation launched HAFIZ (Hub for Advisory, Finance, and Investment for Enterprises,) in late 2023. The ministry reiterated the value of this platform during the US-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum, which concluded Monday in Cairo.
HAFIZ is designed to consolidate financial services, capacity building, technical assistance, and tender information from more than 50 development partners.
Officials say the goal is to lower access barriers for SMEs and startups that often struggle to navigate complex financing channels.
Tamer Taha, Advisor to the Minister and head of the Private Sector Participation Unit at the Ministry of Planning said that lack of access is not the only hurdle—many businesses are unaware of what types of financing are available or how to pursue them.
“The issue is not only access to finance,” Taha said during a panel at the forum. “It’s knowing where and how to access the right kind of finance that matches the private sector’s needs.”
The platform offers services in Arabic and English, seving both small businesses and early-stage ventures.
Despite the scale of Egypt’s private sector, Taha noted that international tenders and development finance options remain significantly underused.
According to World Bank data, Egypt currently ranks 57th among DFI beneficiary countries.
“We believe this platform can unlock billions in potential by guiding Egyptian businesses toward available international opportunities,” he said.
The US-Egypt Policy Leaders Forum drew representatives from more than 55 US companies across 11 sectors.
In addition to finance, sessions addressed employment, entrepreneurship, and digital innovation.
With Generation Z expected to make up 44 percent of the workforce by 2030, officials say such efforts are central to long-term labour planning.
“Egypt is not only strategically located between Asia, Africa, and Europe,” Taha said. “It’s also becoming a hub for data, technology, and entrepreneurship.”
Officials say the launch of HAFIZ reflects broader efforts to strengthen public-private cooperation and improve access to global economic networks.
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