As Egypt accelerates its economic reform programme and advances its digital transformation strategy, global professional services firms like Ernst & Young (EY) are seeing the country as one of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s most promising markets for investment, technology, and consulting services.
EY MENA has launched a regional consulting and technology hub in Cairo under the name EY Consulting MENA. The hub, which the company refers to as the Egypt Talent Hub, will serve clients across the MENA region and create more than 1,000 jobs over the next three years in partnership with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA).
Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly during his three-day visit to Cairo last week, consulting leader at EY MENA Omar Ouda said Egypt’s reform journey has gathered momentum over the past few years, making the country increasingly attractive to both regional and international investors.
Headquartered in London, EY is one of the world’s big four firms alongside Deloitte, PwC, and KPMG. It advises companies and governments on business, finance, technology, risk, and transformation. It operates through a worldwide network of member firms and works in more than 150 countries and territories.
“Egypt’s transformation agenda, especially its strides in digital innovation, has advanced remarkably in recent years,” Ouda told the Weekly.
The country’s ongoing reforms extend well beyond macroeconomic stabilisation, he said, and include improvements in financial and regulatory frameworks and the business environment and capital markets, all of which are strengthening confidence in the economy.
“The reform agenda is driving economic growth, supporting businesses, and creating stronger conditions for private‑sector investment,” Ouda said.
“We are witnessing transformation across multiple fronts, from financial and regulatory reforms to tangible improvements in the investment climate,” he added.
Investment activity has become increasingly diversified geographically, with new projects spreading beyond Cairo into other governorates, reflecting broader economic development.
“We are seeing investments across multiple locations and cities, not only in the capital, which demonstrates growing confidence in Egypt’s long-term potential,” Ouda said.
He believes the country’s future growth will depend on the combined contribution of government reforms and private-sector investment rather than any single industry.
Government reforms are steadily improving the regulatory and business environment, while the private sector is contributing investment and innovation.
Egypt is advancing the second wave of its economic and structural reforms under the $8 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) secured from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). As the country awaits the completion of the ongoing seventh review, the programme is slated to conclude by mid‑December this year.
Among the sectors showing the strongest potential, Ouda highlighted technology, education, manufacturing, energy, oil and gas, and power and utilities, as well as financial services.
He said that the banking sector remains one of the principal drivers of economic development. “A strong financial system supports investment, enables businesses to expand and underpins the wider economy,” Ouda said.
Technology, however, stands at the centre of the next phase of economic transformation.
Digital transformation has become a core strategic priority for governments and businesses worldwide, and it is no longer just an IT initiative, he said, stressing that it is now a boardroom agenda item fundamentally reshaping how organisations operate.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating the pace of this transformation, he added, alongside cloud computing, application modernisation, data centres, and cybersecurity.
Ouda stressed that digital infrastructure has become a prerequisite for economic competitiveness, explaining that without investments in cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, resilient digital platforms, and data centres, meaningful transformation cannot take place.
“Technology sovereignty has also become an increasingly important issue as governments seek to build secure digital infrastructure while protecting strategic national data,”
Ouda said, adding that these trends are shaping EY’s own regional investment strategy.
Having operated in the MENA region for more than a century, EY is expanding its consulting and technology capabilities across the region, with Egypt assuming an increasingly prominent role.
“Our clients today expect much more than advice,” Ouda said. “They want partners who can help them implement transformation programmes and create measurable value. That requires investment in AI capabilities, cloud technologies, and specialised talent.”
He explained that the newly established Egypt Talent Hub forms part of that broader strategy.
“Our objective is to bring global expertise, proven international experience, and specialised capabilities to Egypt while also developing local talent that can support clients across the region,” he said.
The hub will provide consulting, technology strategy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital engineering, risk advisory and business transformation services to organisations throughout the MENA region.
Egypt’s appeal also extends beyond its growing economy.
“Egypt is becoming an increasingly important delivery centre for our regional operations,” Ouda said, adding that “the quality of Egyptian talent is exceptional, and it is one of the main reasons we are expanding our presence here.”
The expansion also reflects growing international confidence in Egypt’s digital economy, which has become one of the government’s strategic priorities as it seeks to increase exports of IT-enabled services and position the country as a regional offshoring destination.
Despite continued geopolitical uncertainty across the Middle East, Ouda remains optimistic about the region’s long-term outlook.
“Conflicts naturally create challenges for businesses,” he acknowledged. “However, MENA remains one of the world’s most dynamic regions. Governments continue to pursue ambitious transformation agendas, while the region’s young talent and growing technology capabilities provide strong foundations for future growth.”
He argued that digital transformation will become even more important during periods of uncertainty.
“Technology enables governments and businesses to become more resilient, improve efficiency, and accelerate implementation,” he said. “It is becoming the main driver of transformation across virtually every sector.”
Looking ahead, Ouda sees Egypt continuing to play a pivotal role within the regional economy.
“What gives us confidence is not only the ambition but also the execution. There is a clear vision, there are concrete development plans, and we can see progress on the ground,” he said.
That confidence is translating into long-term investment. EY’s decision to establish a regional consulting and technology hub in Egypt reflects its expectation that the country will continue to strengthen its position as one of the MENA region’s leading centres for business transformation, digital innovation, and professional services.
This reflects a bigger regional shift, as companies are increasingly looking for locations that combine scale, talent, and digital readiness. Egypt’s large labour pool, growing technology ecosystem, and ambitions to expand IT-enabled exports are making it more attractive for consulting, cybersecurity, AI, and business transformation services.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 9 July, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.
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