logo
Egypt: MSMEDA, Tasaheel pen $8mln agreement to finance micro-projects

Egypt: MSMEDA, Tasaheel pen $8mln agreement to finance micro-projects

Zawya02-07-2025
Arab Finance: The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) has signed a new financing agreement worth EGP 400 million with Tasaheel Company, according to a statement.
Basil Rahmy, CEO of MSMEDA, noted that the contract aims to finance new micro-projects and back the development, expansion, replacement, and upgrade of existing projects.
The move will boost production and offer permanent and temporary job opportunities, enhancing the standard of living for citizens.
Rahmy noted that this new agreement is expected to support 8,000 micro-projects, with the financing amount reaching EGP 266,000 per project, depending on its financing needs.
This falls under Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly's directives to maximize the sector's contribution to supporting the national economy by providing services and products that meet the needs of local markets and encourage productive and agricultural projects.
On her part, Nevin Badr El-Din, Head of the Central Sector for Microfinance at MSMEDA, said the first contract signed with the company in 2017 backed the financing of around 2,257 micro-enterprises with EGP 28 million. Women-led businesses accounted for nearly 52% of the funded projects.
The second contract in 2022 resulted in financing approximately 37,459 micro-enterprises with EGP 307 million, of which women-led projects made up over 50% of the funds.
© 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

MDP enables tokenization for secure electronic transactions in collaboration with Meeza and Apple Pay
MDP enables tokenization for secure electronic transactions in collaboration with Meeza and Apple Pay

Zawya

timean hour ago

  • Zawya

MDP enables tokenization for secure electronic transactions in collaboration with Meeza and Apple Pay

Cairo, Egypt – MDP, Africa's leading digital payments enabler, proudly announces a major milestone in advancing secure digital payments to become the first payment processor in Egypt to enable tokenization for electronic transactions, in strategic collaboration with the National Payment Scheme 'Meeza' via Apple Wallet. This achievement marks the successful completion of the token provisioning phase, enabling the authorization of tokenized transactions. As a result, all banks and fintechs in Egypt can now offer their customers the ability to digitally provision their physical cards into Apple Wallet, transforming any compatible iPhone or Apple device into a secure, contactless payment tool. With tokenization, sensitive card data is replaced with a unique digital token, significantly enhancing transaction security and minimizing the risk of fraud. This launch introduces a new digital transaction method in Egypt, one where consumers can pay using their smartphones or smartwatches, authenticated through Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode. Each transaction is authorized using a one-time, dynamic security code, ensuring that actual card details are never stored on the device or shared with merchants. Consumers can now enjoy a seamless, fast, and highly secure payment experience across both POS terminals and e-commerce platforms using their cards on Apple devices. This launch aligns with the vision set by the Central Bank of Egypt following the introduction of the card tokenization service, aimed at accelerating secure, digital payment adoption nationwide. According to the Central Bank, the value of POS transactions reached approximately EGP 640 billion by the end of 2024, reflecting a 280% increase from EGP 169 billion in 2021. In parallel, e-commerce transactions exceeded EGP 180 billion, up from EGP 29 billion in 2021, marking growth of over 500%. Tokenization plays a key role in supporting this expansion by enabling safer, faster, and more convenient digital transactions across all channels. 'This marks a critical step forward for Egypt's digital economy. By becoming the first to enable tokenization, MDP is unlocking a secure and scalable future for payments in Egypt. Through our collaboration with Meeza and Apple, we're enabling every bank and fintech to offer customers safe, contactless payments using the cards they already trust.' said Ahmed Nafie, CEO & Co-founder of MDP. This is not just a technical milestone, it's a turning point in how payments are made in Egypt. By successfully completing the provisioning phase, we've enabled every physical card to go digital. This means any bank or fintech can now securely tokenize their cards and offer seamless digital payments through Apple Wallet. It's a foundational step toward building an open, secure, and future-ready payments ecosystem and we're proud to be at the forefront of this transformation' added Hisham Mohy, COO of Processing at MDP. With Egypt's payment landscape rapidly evolving, MDP's enablement of token provisioning and transaction authorization stands as a foundational advancement, positioning Egypt among the global leaders in digital payment innovation.

Cairo office market to expand by 82% by 2029, says Knight Frank report
Cairo office market to expand by 82% by 2029, says Knight Frank report

Arabian Business

timean hour ago

  • Arabian Business

Cairo office market to expand by 82% by 2029, says Knight Frank report

Cairo's office market is set to grow significantly, with total stock expected to rise by 82 per cent by 2029, according to Knight Frank's latest Cairo Offices Market Review. The report highlights rising rents and sales prices across the city in the first half of 2025, as demand continues to grow. Faisal Durrani, Partner – Head of Research, MENA, Knight Frank, said: 'Cairo's current office stock stands at 1 million sqm, with an additional 818,000 sqm slated for delivery by 2029. This represents an 82 per cent growth in the office market and reflects Cairo's growing economy and its increasing appeal as a regional business hub, attracting both local enterprises and international corporations.' New Cairo leads office market surge The city's performance also features in Knight Frank's Africa Office Market Dashboard H1 2025, which tracks trends across 29 African cities. The Egyptian capital is ranked as one of the top-performing office markets on the continent, second only to Lagos in terms of prime rents. New Cairo plays a leading role in this expansion, accounting for 73 per cent of the city's current and future office stock. It also records the highest sales values, with an average price of EGP 274,000 per sqm in H1 2025 and premium spaces reaching EGP 466,000 per sqm. Durrani added: 'New Cairo's dominance extends to the office leasing sector, where New Cairo recorded the highest rents and year-on-year growth exceeding 2 per cent. This consistent performance cements its position as the city's premier destination for businesses seeking prime, well-connected office locations that offer both prestige and functionality.' Flexible office providers such as MQR, KAPITALIZE, KMT House, CO-55, and Regus continue to grow their presence in the area. The International Workplace Group (IWG) has also announced plans to expand its footprint in Egypt from 18 to 150 locations by 2030. Developers are supporting market growth by offering extended instalment durations and reduced down payments. Projects set to be delivered in 2025 have an average payback period of 4.4 years, while those completing in 2029 see this extend to 7.8 years. 'This extended payment flexibility is a crucial incentive, designed to make investment more accessible and attractive to a wider range of businesses and investors by easing the financial burden and encouraging long-term commitments to the market,' the report noted. Zeinab Adel, Partner – Head of Egypt, Knight Frank, further explained: 'Real estate investment is growing across the MENA region and Cairo offers a more affordable option than other nearby GCC markets. These lower barriers to entry for GCC and international investors are helping to fuel further growth, while the longer instalment periods offered by developers not only encourage investment, but also highlight the increasing confidence in the market's sustained growth.' While New Cairo leads the market, West Cairo is emerging as an alternative for companies looking beyond the primary hub. El Sheikh Zayed recorded average sales prices of EGP 229,000 per sqm, while 6th of October City saw average prices around EGP 171,000 per sqm. Adel said: 'El Sheikh Zayed, 6th of October City and West Cairo offer distinct advantages, including proximity to residential communities and a growing commercial ecosystem, making them viable alternatives for businesses expanding or relocating within Cairo.' He added: 'New Cairo offices command the city's highest average prices thanks to the area's modern infrastructure, strategic location and the concentration of high-profile businesses and amenities. However, when you look at the maximum sales prices achieved, the gap between New Cairo, El Sheikh Zayed and 6th of October City narrows, suggesting compelling opportunities exist for investors looking for a more accessible entry point into the Cairo market.' Despite a projected dip in new supply in 2026, the market is expected to grow in the following years. Supply is forecast to peak in 2028 at 309,000 sqm, representing 38% of the total future pipeline to 2029. Major developers contributing to this expansion include LMD, The Waterway Developments, Centrada Developments, La Vista Developments, SERAC Developments and SODIC. Their investments are increasing stock and contributing to the range and quality of office space available. 'These developments are collectively shaping Cairo's urban landscape, reinforcing its status as a thriving business hub in the region and a magnet for both domestic and international investment. Our research paints a picture of a market in full swing, characterised by strong fundamentals, strategic developer initiatives and a promising outlook for continued growth and investment, solidifying Cairo's position on the global business stage,' he concluded.

Valu Offers Financial Solutions for 'Learn to Earn' initiative launched by RoboGarden Egypt
Valu Offers Financial Solutions for 'Learn to Earn' initiative launched by RoboGarden Egypt

Zawya

time2 hours ago

  • Zawya

Valu Offers Financial Solutions for 'Learn to Earn' initiative launched by RoboGarden Egypt

Walid Hassouna: The 'Learn to Earn' initiative is a way to direct our financial solutions towards real social impact Lamise Negm: This initiative embodies a deeply human dimension and opens doors to technology for marginalized groups Engy El Sabban: Our goal is to train 1,000 learners by the end of 2025 Cairo, Valu, MENA's leading universal financial technology powerhouse, has announced its partnership with RoboGarden Egypt, the AI-powered EdTech platform, to provide flexible payment plans for the 'Learn to Earn' initiative. This initiative seeks to empower youth across Egypt — with a special focus on women and people with disabilities — by providing specialized digital training programs designed to equip them with the skills needed to thrive in today's evolving job market. The initiative features an innovative approach that promotes equal opportunity in education by offering a hybrid learning experience. Combined with Valu's flexible payment solutions, it ensures that high-quality digital training is accessible and affordable to all. 'Learn to Earn' marks a significant milestone for both companies, with strong strategic value for the supporting entities. For Valu, this collaboration represents an opportunity to expand its diverse portfolio in lifestyle enablement, particularly in skill development and education — in alignment with national development goals and impactful community engagement. Commenting on the partnership, Walid Hassouna, CEO of Valu, said: 'This collaboration reflects Valu's deep-rooted commitment to education and to the community we serve. As we expand beyond the traditional buy-now-pay-later model, initiatives like 'Learn to Earn' allow us to channel our financial tools toward meaningful, long-term impact. By partnering with RoboGarden Egypt, we're enabling individuals — particularly those from less fortunate communities — to acquire in-demand skills and unlock economic opportunities.' The program features a comprehensive, engaging learning experience — including self-paced content, live online sessions, and in-person workshops. Pathways such as web development open real opportunities for employment or freelance work in Egypt's digital economy. Participants receive a certificate upon completing 75% of the content, with their progress tracked through analytics, attendance, and assessments. As part of its commitment to supporting the initiative, Valu is hosting five training cohorts at Valu Café, sponsoring a total of 20 students, with four participants from each cohort receiving a 50% discount on the program fees. Lamise Negm, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of RoboGarden Egypt and Advisor to the Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority, expressed her pride and appreciation for launching this initiative, noting that it transcends traditional digital education to represent a deeply human mission. Negm stated: "What makes this initiative truly special is its focus on traditionally marginalized groups—women, people with disabilities, and youth in remote areas—by opening doors to the tech sector without requiring them to abandon their daily lives or overcome insurmountable barriers. It offers real opportunities for professional growth and economic empowerment by building solid bridges between education and employment. This reflects a conscious collaboration between the private sector and development partners to create a more just and inclusive tech landscape—one where no one is left behind." Engy El Sabban, CEO and Co-founder of RoboGarden Egypt, added: 'Through this initiative, we aim to extend RoboGarden's reach to the underserved youth, women, and people with disabilities — empowering them with remote work opportunities and flexible career paths. Our hybrid model proves scalable in the local market. We target more than 1,000 trainees across Egypt by the end of the year. Early pilot groups, delivered in collaboration with both local and international organizations, have shown strong support across sectors — and Valu's contribution will be instrumental in scaling our impact.' El Sabban noted that five training cohorts will be held under this partnership, with 25 participants in each — reaching a total of 125 learners. She emphasized that vocational and skills-based training is key to enhancing labor market competitiveness in Egypt, especially amid global economic shifts and the growing reliance on technology. Statistics show that around 60% of Egyptian university graduates struggle to secure employment immediately after graduation due to the gap between educational outcomes and market needs. About Valu: Valu is the leading universal financial technology powerhouse offering customers and businesses convenient and comprehensive financial solutions. Under its product universe, Valu pioneered Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) solutions in the MENA region through U, providing customizable financing plans for up to 60 months across more than 8,500 stores and online platforms – covering a diverse array of categories, including home appliances, electronics, home finishing, furniture, residential solar solutions, healthcare, education, travel, and fashion, among others. Valu also offers investment products, an instant cash redemption program, and a financing solution to facilitate the purchase of big-ticket items up to EGP 60 million in the luxury space through the AZ Valu fund and EFG Hermes ONE, Sha2labaz, and Ulter, respectively. In addition, Valu offers business-to-business solutions through Valu Business. Valu had recently introduced its prepaid card and co-branded credit card in collaboration with Visa. As an award-winning fintech player in the MENA region, Valu embraces a progressive mindset with an agile workforce committed to architecting innovative financial solutions.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store