Higher Education Ministry Introduces New Rules for Private Investment

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has reopened private investment in Egypt’s higher education sector after a nine-month pause, introducing revised regulations aimed at improving quality and alignment with labour market needs.

Egypt currently has around 180 private higher institutes that help absorb demand for university education, but many have been criticised for prioritising enrolment volume over academic standards.

Under the updated framework, licensing conditions have been tightened, while new incentives have been introduced for investors willing to meet higher requirements. New institutes must occupy a minimum area of 8,400 square metres, up from 5,000, and are now required to include a vocational training centre, a business incubator, and a career development centre as part of their core facilities.

The revised rules also shift expansion beyond Cairo and Giza. Priority will be given to institutes established in other governorates, particularly those offering programmes aligned with local labour market needs, such as healthcare, tourism, or technology. To support this decentralisation, governors will provide land for approved projects, addressing one of the main barriers previously faced by investors.

The framework introduces greater flexibility in academic pathways. Private institutes will be required to offer students the option to enter the labour market after two years through intermediate diplomas, while retaining the right to return later to complete a bachelor’s degree without academic or financial penalties. In exchange for meeting these standards, investors will be permitted to charge higher tuition fees, especially in cases where institutes partner with international universities or education providers.