Private Sector Accounts for 80% of Egypt's GDP

Egypt's private sector contributes approximately 80% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), accounts for 60.8% of total investments and provides 83% of jobs, according to Minister of Planning and Economic Development Ahmed Rostom.

The figures were presented during a high-level roundtable organised by the American Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC, on the sidelines of the B20 Summit 2026. Rostom said Egypt is shifting towards a private sector-led economic model focused on increasing production, exports and employment opportunities.

During the meeting, Rostom outlined Egypt's National Economic Transformation Programme for 2027 to 2030, which includes 185 reform measures targeting five priority sectors that collectively contribute 40% of GDP. The programme aims to achieve economic growth of between 6.2% and 6.8% while reducing inflation to between 5% and 7% by 2030.

The minister also highlighted the Infrastructure Finance Guarantee Facility, established in cooperation with the World Bank to encourage investment in renewable energy, water desalination and sustainable urban development projects.

Rostom called for stronger cooperation with US companies in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data centres, alongside efforts to support startups through the Egypt Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre. He also identified opportunities for industrial partnerships in automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers and home appliances.

The minister pointed to Egypt's membership in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) as opportunities for American companies seeking access to African and regional markets