Egypt pitches itself as gateway to Middle East, Africa for Finnish investors

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly urged Finnish investors to view Egypt as a strategic gateway to the Middle East and Africa at the Egyptian-Finnish Business Forum held at the headquarters of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) in Cairo. Madbouly highlighted priority sectors including digital transformation, clean energy and manufacturing, and invited Finnish companies to leverage Egyptian labour, trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, and joint manufacturing projects to access an estimated market of approximately 1.3 billion consumers. The forum was attended by Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and senior Egyptian and Finnish officials.

"Egypt is committed to acting as a partner to investors rather than merely a regulatory body, adding that officials are keen to listen to and resolve any challenges to ensure the success and sustainability of investments," Madbouly said, framing the government’s approach as facilitative and investor-oriented.

Madbouly set out concrete incentives and reforms designed to attract Finnish capital. He pointed to structural reforms that have modernised the legislative framework for investment protection, simplified company formation procedures, and focused on developing advanced infrastructure. He also singled out the Suez Canal Economic Zone as offering distinct incentives for Finnish companies looking to export to global markets.

Opportunities flagged by the prime minister drew directly on areas of Finnish expertise. Madbouly called on Finnish partners to support the "Digital Egypt" strategy by leveraging Finland’s know-how in 5G technologies and artificial intelligence. He also identified collaboration in clean energy and water — specifically green hydrogen, water desalination and waste-to-energy projects — as priorities that align with Egypt’s green transition and Finland’s strengths in renewable energy and the circular economy.

• Priority sectors named: digital transformation, clean energy, manufacturing, healthcare and education.
• Trade and market access: use of African Continental Free Trade Area to reach ~1.3 billion consumers.
• Incentive zone: Suez Canal Economic Zone highlighted for export-oriented projects.
• Reforms: modernised investment protection laws, streamlined company formation, upgraded infrastructure.

The forum convened a high-level Egyptian delegation including Minister of Education and Technical Education Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid, and GAFI Chief Executive Mohamed El-Gawsaky. Finland’s delegation included Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Employment Timo Jaatinen, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Trade Jarno Syrjälä, and Finland’s Ambassador to Egypt, Riikka Eela.

Madbouly described President Stubb’s visit as an important milestone in bilateral relations and expressed hope that the forum would catalyse new partnerships. Looking ahead, prospects for cooperation extend beyond infrastructure and energy to healthcare and education, where Madbouly suggested adopting aspects of the Finnish educational model and modern medical technologies to bolster Egypt’s human capital and support sustainable, long-term investment.