The Egyptian government will officially announce on Saturday that Cairo will host the third edition of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF) 2026, during a conference held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly.

The festival will take place from November 6–8, 2026, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and business leaders from around the world.

Global Participation Expected

Organizers aim to attract more than 10,000 participants from around 70 countries, along with over 100 exhibitors and 60 international speakers representing governments, investment institutions, and the private sector.

Dr. Summy Smart Francis will serve as President of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival – Africa, while Baher Mounir Ghabbour will chair the Egyptian edition. Ambassador Nabila Makram has been appointed Secretary-General of the event.

Boosting Investment and Startup Growth

The festival was awarded to Egypt following an international selection process after the previous editions were successfully held in Nigeria and Ghana.

The event is expected to strengthen Cairo's role as a gateway to African markets while promoting cross-border investment, trade, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Government officials, international organizations, diplomats, investors, startup founders, and business executives are expected to attend, alongside representatives from local and international media.

Supporting Egypt's Economic Vision

The conference will unveil the festival's strategic vision, participation programs, and several initiatives focused on innovation, investment, and startup development.

Officials believe hosting the event will reinforce Egypt's efforts to improve the business environment, empower the private sector, attract foreign investment, and position the country as a leading regional hub for entrepreneurship.

The festival is also expected to generate positive economic spillovers for the tourism, hospitality, transportation, and services sectors while creating new partnership opportunities between Egyptian companies and international businesses.