Egypt Set to Host Third Global Entrepreneurship Festival in November 2026

Overview and Hosting Details

Egypt will host the third edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF) from 6 to 8 November 2026 at the JW Marriott Hotel in New Cairo. The event will take place under the patronage of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and carries the theme “The World We Help to Create”. Organisers expect more than ten thousand attendees, over two hundred investors and fund representatives, sixty international speakers and more than one hundred exhibitors from upwards of seventy nations.

The festival follows successful editions in Nigeria (2024) and Ghana (2025), after Egypt won the hosting rights through an international competition. According to the organisers, Egypt will stage only one instalment as the festival rotates among African countries. The gathering is positioned to reinforce Egypt’s ambition to be a regional investment hub.

Twelve flagship activities are planned, including investment forums, business exhibitions, conferences, networking sessions and entrepreneurship programmes that aim to improve access to finance, support business growth and strengthen international economic cooperation.

Key Figures, Partnerships and Support Programs

Baher Mounir Ghabbour, chairperson of the Egyptian edition, said the selection reflects international confidence in the country’s economic and regional standing and its ability to draw business leaders, investors and global institutions, reinforcing its role as a meeting point for cross‑border partnerships. He added that the festival seeks to turn that interest into concrete opportunities for Egyptian firms, especially through access to investment, new markets and strategic alliances, and that its lasting value will be judged by the commercial relationships and investment cooperation that endure after the three‑day meeting, as well as by its contribution to enterprise development, job creation and business tourism.

Dr. Summy Smart Francis, president of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival, described Egypt as a strategic gateway linking Africa with markets in the Middle East, Europe and beyond. He noted that the Nigerian and Ghanaian editions laid the foundations and expanded the festival’s reach, while the Egyptian edition opens a new phase of cooperation and investment, citing Egypt’s diversified economy, entrepreneurial talent and extensive regional and international ties as key assets.

The speaker roster includes prominent international figures such as Aliko Dangote (president and CEO of Dangote Group), Sir Mohamed Mansour (chairperson of Mansour Group), Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub (founder of the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation), Sir Sam E. Jonah (founder of Jonah Capital) and Nigerian businesswoman Folorunso Alakija. Regional participants announced are Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi (chairperson of Ajman Holding), Sheikh Awad Mohammed bin Sheikh Mujren (founder of Emirate Travelers), Sheikha Dr. Hind Al Qassimi (chairperson of BPW Emirates) and Lujiana Mohsin Darwish (chairperson of MHD ITICS). Egyptian officials and business leaders on the programme are Hussein Eissa (deputy prime minister for economic affairs), Sherif Farouk (minister of supply and internal trade), Mohamed Abou El Enein (member of the House of Representatives and founder/chairperson of Cleopatra Group), Amr Soliman (founder and chairperson of Mountain View), Abdallah Sallam (president and CEO of Madinet Masr) and Mostafa Kandil (founder and CEO of Swvl Holdings Corp.).

Discussions will cover investment prospects in Africa, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, the green transition, youth and women’s economic empowerment and access to enterprise financing.

Institutional partnerships have been formed to bolster entrepreneurship and investment readiness. A memorandum of understanding was signed with the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) during the festival’s official announcement press conference in June, focusing on business development, export readiness, investment attraction and strengthening the competitiveness of micro, small and medium‑sized enterprises in local and international markets. Organisers also announced a collaboration with Shark Tank Egypt, which will act as an entrepreneurship‑ecosystem partner, linking promising start‑ups and growing businesses with investors, offering founders chances to pitch their models, obtain feedback and explore funding options, while also supporting pitch preparation and scaling strategies.

The Youth and Social Responsibility Forum (YSR Forum) will take part through its fifth edition within the Entrepreneurs Investment Program, aiming to connect young entrepreneurs with business leaders, investors and policymakers, especially those behind projects that combine commercial potential with positive social impact.

Programme, Virtual Exhibition and Long‑Term Goals

The festival’s agenda blends high‑level policy talks with practical investment and business‑development activities. Major events include the Opening Conference, Global Leadership Forum, International Congress of Women, Entrepreneurs Investment Program, Global Deal Room and Business Exhibitions, complemented by an International Fashion Show, cultural and artistic performances, the Global Entrepreneurs Award Gala and a Closing Concert. Attendees can engage via keynote speeches, panel discussions, fireside chats, workshops, investor presentations, business meetings and networking sessions.

The Global Deal Room and related investment programmes are designed to facilitate direct interaction between entrepreneurs, investors and corporate representatives, creating avenues for financing, strategic partnerships and market expansion.

For the first time, the Egyptian edition will feature an interactive three‑dimensional virtual exhibition intended to extend participation beyond the physical venue. The platform is being developed jointly by the Egyptian General Authority for Exhibitions and Conferences (linked to the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade), the festival organiser and MetaExpo. It will let users explore digital stands, discover products and services, communicate with exhibitors and hold remote commercial and investment meetings. According to the organisers, the virtual exhibition will stay accessible for several weeks after the festival ends, allowing companies to continue showcasing their offerings and nurturing international business links, thereby widening access for those unable to attend in person and prolonging the exhibition’s commercial value.

Organisers say the event is conceived to move beyond traditional conferences by merging investment engagement, business development, knowledge exchange and international networking. It will aim to connect Egyptian start‑ups and SMEs with international investors, established firms, development institutions and prospective commercial partners, while providing a forum to explore opportunities in emerging industries, boost export capabilities and assist entrepreneurs looking to expand into African and global markets.

Following strong demand that sold out some ticket categories, GEF has announced the reopening of bookings across all admission types. The Global Entrepreneurship Festival 2026 will be held from 6 to 8 November at the JW Marriott Hotel in New Cairo.