Egypt’s FRA launches first digital payment network for non-banking financial sector
The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has launched the first integrated digital payment network for the non-banking financial sector as a central platform for the secure and unified digital settlement of financial dues. The network, established through a strategic partnership with e-finance, is designed to facilitate interactions between entities operating in non-banking financial activities and the regulator’s oversight services. He added that the digital network ensures data integrity and transaction accuracy while promoting a competitive economy based on technology and innovation. The digital platform adheres to high cybersecurity and data protection standards, utilizing multi-factor verification mechanisms to ensure secure usage. To maintain service efficiency, the FRA is providing specialised technical support in collaboration with e-finance through a unified contact number.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 05, 2026 15:57 UTC
Egypt identifies 80 measures to overhaul startup environment and boost investment
Egypt has identified 80 specific measures to overhaul the entrepreneurship environment and boost investment in startups following a year-long review of the sector, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat said on Monday. The measures were formulated after 50 meetings involving 250 representative bodies and 160 startups, aiming to address feedback from both government agencies and the entrepreneurship community. Prime Minister Madbouly stated during the session at the New Administrative Capital that the government is considering the establishment of a single, unified institutional body to oversee the sector. She added that companies in the expansion phase require specific tools and policies tailored to their growth needs. El-Abd noted that while the sector remains promising, it continues to face various challenges that the new initiatives aim to resolve.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 05, 2026 15:57 UTC
Cuba is left reeling in the aftermath of the Venezuela strike
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel delivers a speech Saturday in Havana as he flutters a Venezuelan national flag in support of Maduro. “For Venezuela, of course for Cuba, we are willing to give even our own life, but at a heavy cost,” Diaz-Canel proclaimed. We don’t.”Protesters hold pictures of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro (right) and former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (left) as they take part in a demonstration against the US operation in Venezuela, in front of the US Consulate in Amsterdam on Sunday. Chavez, before his death from cancer in 2013 following months of treatment in Cuban hospitals, declared Cuba and Venezuela were not two nations but la gran patria – the one homeland. Over the years as I traveled regularly between Cuba and Venezuela, it was hard to tell where one nation began and another ended.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 05, 2026 15:29 UTC
Egyptian Senate discusses amendments to real estate tax law
The Egyptian Senate discussed during its plenary session on Sunday a report on a government-proposed bill to amend certain provisions of Law #196 of 2008 concerning the tax on built properties. Abu-Hashima said that amending the property tax law is part of the first phase of the tax relief initiative, which includes legislative reforms. Abu-Hashima added that the amendments include simplifying filing tax returns, reforming and developing the tax appeal system, easing the burden on taxpayers in dispute over tax bases, increasing the tax exemption threshold for private residences, waiving taxes for taxpayers during crises, and simplifying tax relief procedures. Waiving tax debtsThe amendments also include waiving tax debts and late payment penalties in specific cases, recognizing the validity of electronic tax payment receipts, and setting a maximum limit for late payment penalties with a full waiver upon payment of the principal debt within a specified period, he added. The representative noted the amendment to the Real Estate Tax Law includes raising the exemption threshold to LE 100,000 instead of LE 50,000.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 05, 2026 15:10 UTC
Egyptian Women 2025: Assessing the Gap Between Policy and Practice
Safety and Public Space: Navigating Social DynamicsA primary focus of the ECWR’s 2025 report is the ongoing prevalence of violence against women. While male labour force participation is at 70.3%, female participation stands at 16.9%. International Benchmarks and Comparative RankingsThe ECWR report includes an analysis of Egypt’s standing in various international indices. In the Global Gender Gap Report 2025, Egypt ranks 139th out of 148 countries. The Road AheadUltimately, the ECWR report serves as an analytical look at the work remaining to be done.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 05, 2026 15:06 UTC
Cairo Airport at maximum alert after Greek airspace closure
The Cairo International Airport announced Sunday that it has raised its alert level to the maximum following the closure of Greek airspace due to a technical malfunction in air traffic control and navigation systems. Several international flights were diverted from Greece to Cairo International Airport as a safe alternative route. In an official statement, the airport reported receiving several diverted flights, including those operated by Saudi, Jordanian, and Algerian airlines, bound for European destinations and rely on Greek airspace as a primary transit corridor. The Greek Civil Aviation Authority said some flights through Greek airspace and in the region were still operating, but restrictions were in place at airports for safety reasons. Dozens of flights were disrupted, and the head of the Greek air traffic controllers’ association told state broadcaster ERT: “For some reason, all frequencies suddenly went down.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 05, 2026 14:46 UTC
Amr Adib announces contract renewal with MBC Masr
Egyptian TV host Amr Adib announced the renewal of his contract with MBC Masr for the upcoming period, without revealing any details about the new contract. During his show “al-Hekaya” (the story) on Sunday evening, Adib thanked the General Manager of MBC Masr and North Africa channels Mohamed Abdel-Motaal, hailing his role in utilizing every resource to present content worthy of its viewers. Adib also thanked the program’s team, saying, “My role might seem like a one-man show, but I’m not a one-man show. There’s a large team working behind the scenes to ensure the program is presented in the best possible way.”He also celebrated being chosen as the best television presenter in the “Washwasha” poll, in addition to “al-Hekaya” winning the award for best program. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
Source:Egypt Independent
January 05, 2026 14:31 UTC
Egypt to phase out departure card system at airports: Minister
Egypt’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Sameh al-Hefny, announced that the paper departure card system for departing passengers at Egyptian airports will soon be phased out. In a phone interview with Sada al-Balad TV on Thursday, Hefny said the decision is expected to be implemented by the end of January, aiming to simplify travel procedures and provide a smoother experience for passengers. The minister explained that this development is part of a comprehensive effort to improve services offered to travelers and tourists. The Cabinet discussed the latest developments in the pilot implementation of the integrated electronic visa system during its meeting on Thursday, he said. Hefny added, “The meeting also discussed the procedures regarding emergency visas,” emphasizing that the goal is to ensure “the speed and ease with which tourists can obtain them” to boost inbound tourism in the coming period.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 05, 2026 14:16 UTC
PM reviews efforts to hit 30-million-tourist milestone
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly chaired a high-level meeting to follow up on government efforts to streamline entry procedures and enhance Egypt’s international image, with the aim of attracting 30 million tourists annually.Madbouly stressed that tourism remains a key pillar of the national economy. He noted that following the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), Egypt recorded a record 19 million tourist arrivals last in 2025year, describing the figure as a strong indicator of the sector’s growth potential. “We now have a real opportunity to achieve our target,” the prime minister said, pointing to ongoing expansions at airports and continued growth in hotel capacity nationwide. The meeting, attended by the ministers of tourism, communications, and civil aviation, reviewed progress on developing an integrated e-Visa system, reducing airport processing times, and simplifying emergency visa and visa-on-arrival procedures.Discussions also covered measures to improve service quality and ease congestion at ports of entry, as part of broader efforts to enhance Egypt’s global image as a tourism destination.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 05, 2026 12:30 UTC
PM declares Wednesday official paid holiday for Christmas
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly declared Wednesday, January 7, an official paid holiday on the occasion of Christmas.The decision applies to employees of ministries, government departments, public authorities, local administration units, public sector companies, and public business sector companies. Madbouly extended his heartfelt greetings to all Coptic Egyptians at home and abroad.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 05, 2026 12:30 UTC
Algeria’s Condor enters Egyptian market, plans local manufacturing
Algeria’s Condor Group has officially launched its brand in the Egyptian market, marking a new phase in its regional expansion strategy focused on investment, partnerships, and local manufacturing, rather than exports alone. Speaking at the event, Mohamed Saleh Daas, Vice Chairperson of Condor Group, said Egypt represents a strategic market for the company’s long-term growth plans. As part of its industrial plans, Condor intends to establish a manufacturing base in Egypt, targeting local production of televisions, refrigerators, and air conditioners. Condor aims to begin local manufacturing in Egypt by 2027, leveraging logistical proximity between the two countries. Condor Group operates 32 companies across 12 industrial sectors, employing more than 17,000 people.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 19:16 UTC
Universal Health Insurance approves key governance, financial, and technical measures
The Universal Health Insurance Authority (UHIA) held its 100th board meeting, during which members approved a series of regulatory, financial, and technical measures aimed at strengthening institutional governance, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Egypt’s health insurance system. At the meeting, the board reviewed and approved the Authority’s first Anti-Abuse, Anti-Fraud, and Anti-Manipulation Policy, designed to safeguard financial resources and ensure efficient spending amid the growing scale of health service delivery and the multiplicity of stakeholders. A new cooperation agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) Egypt Office was also endorsed to support capacity-building, knowledge exchange, and service quality improvements within the health insurance system. To enhance technical capabilities, the board approved a cooperation protocol with the Ministry of Finance, utilising technical support under the financing agreement between the French Development Agency and Egypt. The centennial board meeting underscores UHIA’s commitment to building an integrated health system based on sound governance, financial sustainability, digital transformation, and institutional cooperation, all aimed at delivering fair and sustainable healthcare coverage for all citizens.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 18:56 UTC
Silver drops 4.6% in Egypt amid global sell-off triggered by margin hikes: Safe Haven Hub
Silver prices in Egypt declined by 4.6% last week, tracking a sharp global downturn of nearly 9% per ounce, according to a report by Safe Haven Hub. Historically, China absorbed between 30% and 50% of global silver production from the mid-16th to early 19th centuries, underpinning its monetary, fiscal, and trade systems. Today, China remains the world’s second-largest silver producer, a major refiner and exporter, and has recently imposed export restrictions aimed at strengthening control over global silver supply chains. Limited primary deposits and heavy reliance on secondary production—mainly from copper, lead, zinc, and gold mining—now account for 72% of global supply. Solar energy alone consumes more than 200 million ounces annually, a figure expected to exceed 450 million ounces by 2030.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 18:56 UTC
Al-Sisi pledges full support for UN desertification chief in Cairo meeting
President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi pledged Egypt’s full support for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) during a meeting on Sunday with its Executive Secretary, Yasmine Fouad. Al-Sisi expressed confidence in Fouad’s expertise to address global environmental challenges and support international efforts toward sustainable development goals, according to a statement from the presidency. The meeting, attended by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, explored opportunities to strengthen relations between Egypt and the UNCCD secretariat. Discussions focused on expanding cooperation and developing support mechanisms for member states, particularly across Africa and the Arab region. The presidency spokesperson, Mohamed El-Shennawy, stated that the talks aimed to enhance the effectiveness of the convention in supporting member states’ efforts to meet sustainable development goals amidst increasing environmental pressures.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 18:51 UTC
Egypt opens Braille-accessible library in Cairo under presidential directive
Egypt’s Minister of Culture, Ahmed Fouad Hanno, inaugurated the “Noon El-Sahar 2” public library in Cairo on Sunday, ordering the facility to be immediately equipped with Braille publications to mark World Braille Day. The “Noon El-Sahar 2” public library in Zahraa El-Maadi was developed through a partnership between the Ministry of Culture, Cairo Governorate, the Maxim Charity for Development and Services, and the National Roads Company. It features a general library hall and four specialised areas: the Noon El-Sahar Cultural Salon, a training hall, an activity hall, and a computer laboratory for training programmes. Governor Ibrahim Saber said the high demand for the first Noon El-Sahar branch at the Shinzo Abe axis in Nasr City prompted the expansion into Zahraa El-Maadi. The library operates under the technical supervision of the Misr Public Library, headed by Ambassador Abdel Raouf El-Reedy.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 04, 2026 18:51 UTC