Africa-focused private equity firm Development Partners International (DPI) plans to increase its investments in Egypt and is exploring potential project partnerships with the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade said.
The announcement followed discussions regarding plans to transform Egypt into a regional centre for funds that finance startup companies, modelled on successful international examples, to attract further capital flows.
Ziad Abaza, DPI’s Regional Partner and Head of Direct Investments, stated that the firm aims to raise its investments in the Egyptian market during the coming period, citing promising opportunities and significant growth potential in vital sectors.
Ismail Talaat, General Manager of DPI Egypt, added that the firm is keen to enhance cooperation with the Egyptian government and explore new investment opportunities to support corporate growth and economic development.
The strategy was detailed during a meeting between the DPI executives and Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid. The talks were also attended by Mohamed Ayad, Assistant Minister of Investment for Promotion and Media Communication; Noha Khalil, Executive Director of the Sovereign Fund of Egypt; and Abdel Rahman Mansour, representing Egypt Ventures.
Discussions highlighted DPI’s geographic spread, noting a strong investment focus on the Egyptian market alongside a significant presence in other African countries. DPI operates as a direct investment fund in Africa and emerging markets, injecting capital into vital sectors to support economic growth and expand scalable companies.
Farid said Egypt possesses the competitive advantages necessary to become a regional centre for investment and trade. He noted that enhancing co-financing mechanisms is a critical step to increase investment volumes and reduce risks, adding that institutional cooperation allows for the efficient financing of a larger number of companies and opportunities.
The government is continuing efforts to develop the business environment and simplify procedures for investors to boost the economy’s competitiveness and raise growth and employment rates, the minister said. He added that the state is working to support the expansion of existing companies, attract new investments, and maximise the benefit of current investments by restructuring them to improve operational efficiency.
The two sides also discussed mechanisms for monitoring investment deals to ensure the accurate calculation of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, particularly in transactions involving multiple external investment structures.
Farid highlighted the ministry’s coordination with relevant authorities, primarily the General Authority for Investment, to facilitate procedures and accurately register foreign investments through improved performance monitoring and data analysis systems.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold specialised technical meetings to discuss investment operations, address procedural obstacles, and develop regulatory frameworks in line with international standards. The parties also agreed to support digital transformation and develop systems for analysing data and financial statements to improve investment performance evaluation and data transparency.
