The EnterpriseAM Egypt Forum marked another successful year and we’re proud to have been part of this insightful discussion, where GP Laila Hassan joined leaders from banking, VC, and real estate to share their “cheat sheet” for future-proofing organizations.
Planning for the years ahead is not about forecasting numbers — it’s about designing for resilience. That was the mood on stage from banking, venture capital, and real estate leaders at the EnterpriseAM Egypt 2025 Forum panel titled Built to last: Or, how I learned to stop worrying and plan for 2026 and beyond, where Algebra Ventures’ General Partner Laila Hassan, HSBC Egypt CEO Todd Wilcox, and Arkan Palm’s Director Ahmed Badreldin broke down what uncertainty really means for next year, how they are budgeting around it, and where the next up-cycle begins.
The panel agreed that Egypt’s traditional macro risks, FX, inflation, and interest rates, are now relatively predictable heading into 2026. The real uncertainty lies in external shocks and global surprises. For investors, AI is the biggest wildcard: it is accelerating product development and attracting global interest, but it will also determine which companies endure and which fall behind. In real estate, the uncertainty has shifted from costs to demand. As speculative buying fades, developers must focus on genuine end users to build stable, long-term businesses.
Across sectors, the strategy for 2026 is resilience. VCs are leaning into roll-ups and value-chain expansion to protect margins as products commoditize, while real estate developers are doubling down on communities designed for people who will actually live and work in them. On the opportunity side, multinational manufacturers, particularly from China, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, are seriously eyeing Egypt as a low-cost, strategically positioned export base.
People and talent trends were another focal point. Salary inflation is cooling, but retaining top performers will depend on ownership, engagement, and exposure rather than just pay. The speakers noted a slowdown in brain drain, driven by culture, stability, and quality of life. At the same time, companies need teams that can adapt quickly, especially as AI reshapes workflows and investment criteria. While AI will transform assessment and underwriting, human connection and client experience will remain core differentiators.
The discussion also highlighted the painful but necessary shift from founder-led cultures to institutional structures as companies scale. The challenge is maintaining entrepreneurial agility while building the systems that allow a business to last, essentially running a large cruise ship with fast, innovative speedboats attached.
Looking at 2026, the panel’s USD outlook ranged between EGP 48 and 55. Their biggest worries differed: Wilcox fears external shocks, Hassan sees a looming liquidity gap in venture capital unless exits accelerate, and Badreldin warns against repeating old policy mistakes. The consensus is that Egypt is moving in the right direction, but resilience, reform, and adaptability will be critical to navigating the year ahead.
For more, listen to the conversation above or click here.
