The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to invest around USD 1.2 billion in Egypt during the current fiscal year 2026, up from USD 915 million in the previous fiscal year, said Cheick Oumar Sylla, IFC Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa.
Speaking at the World Bank conference titled “Multilateral Development Projects: Procurement Readiness and Opportunities in Egypt,” Sylla informed the media that approximately USD 1 billion has been committed during the current fiscal year, which now brings the International Finance Corporation’s cumulative investment portfolio in Egypt to USD 6.5 billion over the past seven years.
International Finance Corporation now aims to scale up its annual investments in the North African country to reach USD 1 billion on a sustained basis, underscoring the institution’s long-term commitment to supporting economic development and private sector growth in the country.
Sylla further explained that IFC’s current investments in Egypt have been distributed across several key sectors aligned with sustainable growth objectives. The financial sector now accounts for the largest share of the portfolio at 47%. Infrastructure, renewable energy, and transport projects, on the other hand, collectively represent 32% of total investments, while supporting the nation’s long-term development needs.
“Manufacturing, tourism, and real estate account for around 12% of IFC’s investments, while startups and investment funds represent approximately 6%, reflecting support for innovation and entrepreneurship. The healthcare sector makes up about 3% of the portfolio, while agribusiness accounts for 1%, highlighting the diversified nature of IFC’s investment strategy and its focus on sectors with tangible economic and social impact. In addition to direct investments, the IFC provides advisory services valued at USD 27 million to support strategic priority areas in Egypt,” Daily News Egypt reported.
“The financial sector currently leads IFC’s advisory activities, accounting for 38% of the venture’s total engagements, followed by public-private partnership (PPP) advisory services at 21%, aimed at improving the efficiency and execution of development projects. Advisory services related to manufacturing, agribusiness, and services represent 17% of total activities. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices and market-creation advisory services each account for 9%, reflecting IFC’s emphasis on sustainability and market development,” Sylla noted, while stating that green building initiatives make up 4% of advisory services, followed by programmes supporting gender equality (2%), highlighting the institution’s focus on inclusive and sustainable economic growth.