Twelve Egyptian green start-ups graduate with EGP 57.5m in backing
GreenShift firms turn plastic, farm and food waste into building materials and products, and one cleans the Nile.
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Cairo — Twelve green businesses from Greater Cairo and the Nile Delta have graduated from the GreenShift Programme after receiving acceleration support and a total of EGP 57.5 million in investment.
The programme is run by Nahdet El Mahrousa, Egypt's first incubator for social enterprises, with Germany's development agency GIZ, and co-funded by the European Union and the German government. The firms were celebrated at the GreenShift Summit in Cairo on 27 October, attended by more than 150 business leaders, officials and investors.
The graduates work in climate action, recycling and the circular economy. Some turn plastic, organic and agricultural waste into building materials and consumer products; others upcycle electronics, make handmade crafts or clean up the Nile.
GIZ adviser Mostafa Ashraf said the high upfront cost of machinery is one of the biggest barriers for such firms, and the programme helps by financing equipment. Tarek Makram, founder of Extractor Co., said the mix of money, expert advice and follow-up turned his plan for a factory into reality.
GreenShift received 1,353 applications, trained 46 fellows, gave EGP 1.3 million in equipment to 18 of them, and helped eight of the 12 funded firms register formally.
Source: Daily News Egypt, 28 October 2026.
