This year’s edition built on the momentum of the inaugural summits in Cairo and Tunis 2024, deepening conversations on how to address evolving and complex climate-related challenges and how we can best utilize existing efforts to fuel the green transition. The gathering, launched by Hivos, created a platform where decision-makers, innovators, and communities could align efforts to tackle pressing environmental and development challenges.
Across a series of high-level discussions and deep-dive sessions, participants reflected on key questions: How can green growth strategies create decent jobs and economic opportunities, especially for youth and women? What policies are needed to ensure climate justice and inclusivity? And how can collaboration across sectors drive real change?
One of the summit’s highlights was the Seizing the Green Opportunity – Strengthening BSOs in a New Funding Landscape Deep Dive[MA1] , which brought together key ecosystem actors to reflect on how Business Support Organizations (BSOs) across Egypt and the region can reposition themselves in the face of shifting donor landscapes and growing demand for green and inclusive economic development. Speakers underscored that Egypt’s green economy is no longer an emerging niche — it is a growing market opportunity. However, the ability of BSOs to keep pace hinges on their capacity to offer high-value services that address both sustainability goals and commercial viability. A shared concern across panelists was the need to evolve BSO roles from passive intermediaries to active ecosystem brokers that can connect entrepreneurs with finance, policy support, and market pathways.
One of the other highlights of the summit was the session Catalyzing Climate Investments: Unlocking Green Finance for SMEs in Egypt, hosted by UNIDO in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Chemonics Egypt. This interactive workshop brought together stakeholders from development agencies, green SMEs, and financial institutions to explore barriers and opportunities in scaling climate investments in Egypt. Through case-based discussions and dialogue, participants examined both the supply and demand sides of climate finance, with a focus on SME readiness, banking instruments, and policy frameworks, while also addressing the structural and operational bottlenecks that limit access to finance for small and growing businesses engaged in green activities. A recurring theme throughout the day was the call for collaborative action—between governments, private sector actors, and civil society. As one participant put it, “no single actor can solve the climate crisis alone; it requires a collective shift in mindset and practice.”
Throughout the day, several key insights emerged:
- Momentum is building but fragmented: Egypt’s green ecosystem is vibrant but still siloed. Greater coordination across public–private boundaries is needed.
- Delivery must match ambition: Policies and financing strategies exist, but the accessibility of these tools by companies remains a hurdle.
- New finance models are essential: Traditional investment frameworks don’t fit climate ventures; blended finance and long-term pipeline development are critical.
- Equity is non-negotiable: Designing the green transition around inclusion of women, youth, and underserved groups is vital.
- Data gaps stall progress: Localized metrics and verification systems are urgently needed to scale solutions.
By the end of the summit, attendees agreed on the urgency of translating discussions into tangible outcomes. The event reaffirmed the role of the Green Growth Summit as a unique space for dialogue, action, and accountability in the MENA region, paving the way for stronger regional cooperation ahead of global climate negotiations.
About the Green Growth Summit
The Green Growth Summit is an annual platform supported by Hivos and regional partners to foster dialogue and action around inclusive, sustainable development in the MENA region. It brings together diverse stakeholders to co-create solutions that balance economic growth with environmental responsibility and social justice. This year, the event is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands through the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) and is organized in partnership with Stichting SPARK as part of the EU-funded Green Forward programme, and with Finance in Motion, advisor to the Green for Growth Fund (GGF).
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