Egypt to host region’s first AI summit in 2026
Egypt is set to host “Ai Everything Middle East & Africa 2026,” the region’s first dedicated all-AI global summit and exhibition, on 11–12 February 2026 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC) in Cairo. Egypt also serves as a strategic gateway linking Africa and the Middle East and plays a leading role in the development of Arabic-language AI solutions. Ai Everything MEA Egypt 2026 will feature participation from more than 350 global enterprises and startups from over 30 countries, showcasing real-world AI applications across cloud computing, cybersecurity, data centres, telecommunications, government services, healthcare, smart mobility, fintech and digital payments. Participating startups include UK-based Emotii, Germany’s Imensus, and Egyptian AI firm Olimi AI, which specialises in voice AI solutions capable of understanding multiple Arabic dialects. Ai Everything MEA Egypt 2026 will also feature leading global policymakers and AI experts, including senior representatives from the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Cerebras, Tenstorrent, the United Nations Environment Programme, and HCLTech.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 20:44 UTC
Egypt, China’s Mindray discuss localising medical device manufacturing, smart hospitals
Egypt’s Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met with a delegation from China’s Mindray, a leading global manufacturer of medical equipment, to discuss strengthening cooperation in localising medical device manufacturing—particularly smart imaging technologies—and expanding the deployment of smart hospitals across Egypt, the Ministry of Health said. Ministry spokesperson Hossam Abdel Ghaffar said both sides praised the strength of Egypt–China cooperation in the healthcare sector, highlighting the advanced technological capabilities and skilled human resources available in both countries. Discussions also covered cooperation on public health initiatives and the development of smart healthcare solutions as part of Egypt’s broader digital transformation agenda in the health sector, the statement said. Abdel Ghaffar affirmed the ministry’s readiness to provide all necessary support to advance the modernisation of Egypt’s healthcare system and accelerate the adoption of advanced medical technologies. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Health, along with Mindray executives responsible for international markets, Africa, and the Middle East.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 20:44 UTC
Adenia Partners to acquire majority stake in Egypt’s Parkville from Admaius
Private equity firm Adenia Partners has signed definitive agreements to acquire a majority stake in Egypt’s Parkville Pharmaceuticals from Admaius Capital Partners and the company’s founders, the parties announced on Monday. The transaction, which remains subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, marks the first exit for Admaius Capital Partners’ current fund. Parkville, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Cairo, operates across the pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and nutraceutical sectors. Admaius invested in Parkville alongside its founders, Chairperson Sherif Bassiouny and CEO Mahmoud Farrag, in November 2023. “The dollar returns to our investors are very attractive and demonstrate what is possible when strong market positioning, drive and focus combine with superior execution,” said Marlon Chigwende, Admaius Managing Partner.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 20:44 UTC
Egypt to pilot vocational training for girls to combat child marriage
Egypt’s National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) will launch a pilot programme to provide girls with vocational and technical training to offer families economic alternatives to child marriage, the council’s head said. The initiative, conducted in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), seeks to address the social and economic dimensions of child marriage. “Economic empowerment of girls is one of the most important tools for sustainable protection,” El-Sombaty said. The council’s prevention strategy includes awareness activities for child protection units, community education facilitators, and NGO specialists. El-Sombaty also emphasised the need for parallel efforts to reduce school dropout rates and combat child labour, identifying both as primary drivers of child marriage.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 20:44 UTC
South African trade mission of 15 companies visits Egypt to boost economic partnerships
A South African trade mission comprising 15 companies is visiting Egypt from 24 to 28 January as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral economic, trade and investment relations between the two countries. The visit is organised by the Egyptian Commercial Office in Pretoria, headed by Commercial Counsellor Ihab Salah El-Din, in cooperation with South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and in coordination with the South African Embassy in Cairo. The trade mission seeks to explore new markets for South African products, establish trade and investment partnerships with Egyptian counterparts, and identify Egyptian suppliers of production inputs at competitive prices. El-Sharif noted that trade relations between Egypt and South Africa recorded notable growth in 2025, with bilateral trade exceeding $200m during the first ten months of the year, compared with around $186m for the whole of 2024. He added that Egyptian–South African relations have witnessed growing economic and political momentum over the past year, culminating in Egypt’s participation in the G20 Summit held last November.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 20:44 UTC
Egypt repays $8.65bn in external debt in Q4 FY 2024/25: CBE
Egypt repaid $8.645bn in external debt—covering both principal and interest—during the fourth quarter (Q4) of FY 2024/2025, according to a report issued by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). Egypt’s external debt rose to $161.23bn in June 2025, up from $156.689bn in March 2025. According to the report, Egypt paid a total of $38.736bn in external debt service—principal and interest—during FY 2024/2025. This included $7.952bn in the first quarter, $13.354bn in the second quarter, $8.784bn in Q3, and approximately $8.645bn in Q4. The CBE also reported that net domestic assets in the banking sector rose by around EGP 186.7bn during the same two-month period, reflecting a growth rate of 1.5%.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 19:49 UTC
Al-Sisi reviews plan to localise prosthetics industry, urges fast-tracking of industrial complex
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with senior officials on Monday to review progress on a national prosthetics project and plans to establish an integrated industrial complex for the production of artificial limbs and assistive devices, in line with the latest international medical and technological standards, the presidency said. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Presidential Adviser for Health Mohamed Awad Tageldin, and senior officials overseeing the project, according to a presidential statement. During the meeting, Al-Sisi underscored the state’s commitment to providing high-quality prosthetic devices as part of broader efforts to empower people with mobility disabilities, enhance their independence, and ensure their full integration into society. The president also reviewed ongoing efforts to localise the manufacture of prosthetic devices, with the aim of producing internationally compliant products through skilled Egyptian labour. Al-Sisi directed officials to strengthen governance frameworks for contracting with prosthetics manufacturers, ensuring strict adherence to global technical specifications and quality standards, including the implementation of periodic performance evaluations.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 19:49 UTC
Public Enterprises Minister reviews progress of $39m chlorine granules, tablets project
Mohamed El-Shimy, Minister of Public Enterprises Sector, held an expanded meeting to review the executive status of the chlorine tablets and granules (TCCA) production project at Misr Chemical Industries Company, a subsidiary of the Holding Company for Chemical Industries affiliated with the ministry. The project is being implemented in partnership with the private sector as part of the state’s strategy to deepen local manufacturing and strengthen public–private partnerships. The project is being implemented through Puradive Chemicals Production Company, with contributions from the Holding Company for Chemical Industries, Misr Chemical Industries Company, and private-sector partner Cadence Energy. The implementation contract has been signed with China’s Capsom, a company with extensive experience in the design and construction of chemical granules and tablets plants. The meeting was attended by Saad Helal, Managing Director of the Holding Company for Chemical Industries; Mahmoud Ashmawy, Managing Director of Misr Chemical Industries Company; Magdy Galal, CEO and Managing Director of Cadence Energy; along with senior officials from the Ministry of Public Enterprises Sector and Puradive Chemicals Production Company.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 19:41 UTC
Egypt, EliTe Solar review expansion plans, local manufacturing strategy
Discussions focused on expanding production capacity for the local market, increasing exports, and supporting Egypt’s drive to localise the manufacture of renewable energy components. On workforce development, the minister underscored the role of the Productivity and Vocational Training Authority in supporting the solar energy sector. Such initiatives, he said, would serve the growing number of local and international companies operating in the solar energy industry. For their part, EliTe Solar representatives outlined the company’s expansion strategy and highlighted challenges related to the need for a larger pool of skilled labour, as well as the local market’s reliance on imported solar cells and panels. Both sides agreed on the importance of continued coordination to support local manufacturing, boost exports, and strengthen Egypt’s position as a regional hub for renewable energy industries.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 19:41 UTC
Egypt-Switzerland trade exchange hits $2.3bn in 2025: El-Khatib
El-Khatib described the Egypt-Switzerland partnership as a distinguished model of bilateral cooperation, citing the diversity and strength of relations across precision industries, pharmaceuticals and heavy industry. In this context, El-Khatib said Egypt is a pivotal partner due to its strategic location and expanding productive capacity. Trade relations between Egypt and Switzerland are gaining tangible momentum, the minister said, noting that bilateral trade exchange reached approximately $2.3bn last year, recording a surplus in Egypt’s favour. In terms of trade facilitation, El-Khatib said Egypt aims to rank among the world’s top 50 countries in trade competitiveness by reducing customs clearance time and costs. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to removing non-tariff barriers in cooperation with the European Union and international partners, and to opening a new chapter in investment relations.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 19:40 UTC
Engineering exports hit record high of $6.5bn in 2025
Egypt’s engineering exports maintained strong momentum in 2025, recording a 13% year-on-year increase to reach approximately $6.5bn, up from $5.7bn in 2024. This represents the highest export value ever achieved by the engineering industries sector, according to the Engineering Export Council of Egypt (EECE). On a monthly basis, December 2025 saw an unprecedented surge in engineering exports, rising by 18% compared with December 2024. Export value reached about $620.6m, up from $525.3m a year earlier, marking the highest monthly figure in the sector’s history. He stressed that despite ongoing global challenges, the engineering sector delivered historic, record-breaking results, representing the strongest performance in its history.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 19:40 UTC
PM says excellence must become “work culture” at Egypt Government Excellence Award
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said on Monday that government excellence should be an inherent work culture rather than a periodic award, as he honoured winners of the fourth Egypt Government Excellence Award. “Excellence is not just a prize awarded periodically, but a work culture that must remain an inherent characteristic of daily practices in all institutions,” Madbouly said following the distribution of awards to various government entities and individuals. She added that excellence is measured by its impact and a belief in “investing in the future” of human capital. The water utility category was established through a memorandum of understanding to implement internal excellence awards within the company and its subsidiaries. Individual awards cover senior leadership, department managers, and the best civil servants and work teams.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 17:44 UTC
Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria call for immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces from Libya
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria on Monday called for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces, mercenaries and foreign fighters from Libya, asserting that a Libyan-Libyan solution remains the sole path to sustainable stability. Following a trilateral meeting in Tunis, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti and Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf issued a joint statement urging for presidential and legislative elections to be held simultaneously as soon as possible. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stressed his country’s categorical rejection of any external dictates, stating that Libya’s security represents an “original extension” of Egyptian and Arab national security. Abdelatty called for a comprehensive approach to the crisis that addresses economic and social dimensions alongside political and security tracks. Tunisia expressed its readiness to host high-level meetings involving all relevant Libyan parties to advance a comprehensive framework for a solution.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 17:43 UTC
Countdown to Ramadan drama race begins as female stars dominate 2026 season
The countdown to the annual Ramadan drama marathon has officially begun. Between the return of leading actresses absent from Ramadan drama for several years, the continued dominance of established stars, and the confident rise of younger names asserting their presence, the 2026 season appears poised to reshape the balance of power in television drama. Equally notable is the return of Hend Sabry, marking her comeback to Ramadan drama after a four-year absence since “Hagma Mortadda” in 2021. Mai Ezz El-Din returns to the Ramadan race with a new series directed by Morcos Adel, currently in preparation as the remaining cast is finalised. Mai Omar has also announced a new Ramadan project, El Set Monaliza, written by Mohamed Sayed Bisheer and directed by Mohamed Ali.
Source:Daily News Egypt
January 26, 2026 16:43 UTC
Ramadan Sobhi’s fate remains uncertain after his punishment is suspended
Debate has arisen regarding Pyramids FC player Ramadan Sobhi’s return to the pitch following a court ruling suspending his punishment over forgery of an official document. Giza Criminal Court of Appeals on Sunday upheld Sobhi’s one-year prison sentence but suspended its execution. Many fans have been left wondering about Sobhi’s future, specifically whether he will be able to return to Pyramids FC training or participate in upcoming domestic or continental matches, including the CAF Champions League. Sobhi’s lawyer, Hani Zahran, previously confirmed that appealing to the Federal Court would not halt the four-year suspension imposed on the player. “Ramadan will remain suspended until the appeal is reviewed, a response is issued, and a hearing date is set,” he explained.
Source:Egypt Independent
January 26, 2026 16:09 UTC