Women CEOs Forum

The ICSB Women CEOs Forum gathers dynamic women leaders who are transforming the landscape of entrepreneurship and innovation. In this focused event, participants will explore how women-led ventures are redefining leadership, building inclusive economies, and shaping a more resilient future for MSMEs worldwide.

Egypt Women CEOs welcome ICSB Global Community

Egypt is experiencing a quiet revolution in entrepreneurship, led by women. According to Mastercard’s 2025 research, a staggering 98% of women entrepreneurs in Egypt are confident their revenues will grow over the next five years. This level of optimism is among the highest in the Middle East and Africa, indicating strong entrepreneurial intent despite ongoing economic challenges.

But optimism isn’t the only story.

Ambition Meets Action

• 77% of Egyptian women say they’ve considered starting or running a business.

• Among Gen Z women, that number climbs to 83%.

• Their motivations go beyond financial gain:

  • 48% want to fulfill personal dreams.

  • 39% are pursuing innovative ideas.

  • 37% want to make a difference in others’ lives—nearly double the global average.

The top sectors attracting women entrepreneurs in Egypt include education (24%), cosmetics (20%), and marketing and PR (17%).

Digital-First and Future-Focused

Technology is a key enabler:

• Seventy-three percent of women entrepreneurs already utilize AI tools in their business operations.

• 87% report tangible savings in time or cost thanks to digital adoption.

• However, 26% want to build sustainable businesses but lack the knowledge or support to do so.

Barriers remain: fear of failure (30%), lack of startup capital (25%), and confidence gaps (8%) still hold many back, especially early-stage entrepreneurs.

Global Recognition

In 2024, Egypt set a national record with 17 women featured in Forbes Middle East’s “100 Most Powerful Businesswomen” list. That’s up from 13 in 2023 and just 7 in 2022.

Key leaders include:

• Reem Asaad, VP at Cisco for the Middle East & Africa, manages operations in 74 countries.

• Dalia El-Baz, Executive Deputy Chair at the National Bank of Egypt, oversees 26,000 employees.

• Pakinam Kafafi, CEO of TAQA Arabia, led the firm’s listing on the Egyptian Exchange.

The sectors represented range from banking and tech to energy, real estate, and logistics, reflecting the breadth and strength of women’s leadership in Egypt today.