The charter includes a definition of startups and a package of facilitations, incentives, permits, licenses, and legislative amendments needed to support the sector.
It aims to support 5,000 startups, expand access to international markets, and create around 500,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.
The charter is designed to help startups overcome operational challenges and increase their capacity within Egypt’s economy, serving as a policy and legislative framework to govern these businesses.
Startups are defined as newly established companies characterized by rapid growth and flexibility, aiming to offer or develop innovative products, services, or business models in the market.
The charter distinguishes startups from small and medium-sized enterprises based on criteria such as growth potential, company age, reliance on technology, and intellectual property. Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises accounted for 90 percent of the private sector in 2024, contributing 43 percent of GDP and employing 75 percent of the workforce.
Early-stage startups will be able to obtain a Startup Classification Certificate, giving them access to a range of incentives and facilitations, according to Planning Minister Rania Al-Mashat.
The certificate provides a digitized platform for interaction with the Egyptian Tax Authority, labour offices, social insurance, and other financial and procedural bodies.
A specialized observatory body will also be launched at a later date to monitor policy implementation, track startup growth and investments, and serve as a decision-making database.
The initiative has been in development for some time. The Ministerial Entrepreneurship Group finalized discussions on the unified definition and financial package proposal in January, aiming to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem and achieve sustainable economic growth.
These efforts are part of Egypt’s broader strategy to empower the private sector and create a more supportive business environment in line with the country's economic narrative.
Egyptian startups attracted $614 million in funding in 2025 through direct investments and debt financing, marking a 51 percent increase from 2024.
Egypt aims to raise the private sector’s contribution to 72 percent of total investment by 2030 and has established advisory committees to strengthen government and private sector collaboration.
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