Egypt Automotive Summit Kicks Off Its 10th Edition, Redefining the Future of Egypt’s Automotive Industry

The 10th edition of the Egypt Automotive Summit, the most influential event for the automotive industry in Egypt and the region, officially kicked off today under the auspices of several ministries and government bodies.

The event brought together leading figures from government, manufacturers, investors, and industry experts at the Triumph Hotel in New Cairo.
This year’s edition marks a decade of leadership and impact, reaffirming the Summit’s pivotal role as a strategic dialogue platform that has consistently brought together the public and private sectors to shape the future of Egypt’s automotive industry on modern, sustainable foundations.
The opening ceremony witnessed a strong turnout from representatives of global and local companies, as well as financial and investment institutions. The opening session discussed the latest developments in localizing automotive manufacturing, the progress of the Automotive Industry Development Program (AIDP), and the tangible steps taken to position Egypt as a regional hub for vehicle assembly, manufacturing, and exports to regional markets.
This year’s Summit agenda focuses on the most critical issues shaping the industry, including increasing production capacity, deepening local manufacturing, supporting the transition to electric vehicles, and strengthening the components sector, the backbone of domestic industrialization.
The discussions also highlighted export opportunities in African markets, the implementation of rules of origin under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the future of advanced automotive technologies, and international companies’ plans to expand their investments in the Egyptian market.
Strong Messages from the Opening Session: A New Decade of Ambition and Smart Manufacturing
In his opening speech, Mohamed Abou El Fotouh, CEO of the Egypt Automotive Summit, described the 10th edition as a defining moment in the Summit’s journey, stating:
Today, we celebrate a decade of dialogue and collaboration among the government, the private sector, and investors, and we embark on a new chapter of ambition to build an integrated Egyptian automotive industry capable of global competitiveness. Our Summit is no longer just an annual event; it has become a national movement representing the voice of the industry and a mirror of its continuous evolution.”
He added that Egypt has successfully transitioned from an assembly-based approach to establishing a comprehensive manufacturing ecosystem, supported by legislative reforms and clear localization strategies. He affirmed that the coming years will witness further expansion in domestic production and a more substantial shift toward electric vehicles and innovative mobility technologies.
Mohamed Kandil, Managing Director of Global Auto Group and Honorary President of the 10th edition, emphasized that the Summit has evolved over the past decade into an influential platform for policy and decision-making. He noted that ongoing dialogue between the public and private sectors remains the foundation for the industry’s future.
Kandil stated:
Today, we are witnessing the results of years of joint efforts, reflected in the expansion of the components industry, the rise in local and foreign investments, and the renewed confidence in Egypt’s market as an attractive destination for manufacturing and assembly. With the government’s clear vision and continued support, we are on the right path to transforming Egypt into a regional hub for automotive manufacturing and exports to African and global markets.”

The opening session also featured a significant contribution from Eng. Alaa Salah El-Din, Advisor to the Chairman of the Industrial Development Authority and Head of the Automotive Unit at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. He presented key elements of the Automotive Industry Development Program and outlined its targets.

He explained that the Ministry aims to increase local production to 500,000 vehicles annually over the coming years, up from around 43,000 vehicles currently. The program offers conditional incentives linked to higher local content ratios and expanded production capacity, along with customs exemptions and financial facilitation to encourage manufacturers.

He added that participating companies must produce at least 10,000 conventional vehicles and 1,000 electric vehicles annually to qualify, with an additional EGP 5,000 incentive granted for every 1% increase in local content beyond the 35% threshold.

Salah El-Din also revealed that major manufacturers have joined the local production ecosystem, including Nissan, General Motors, ITAMCO, and Ghabbour Egypt, alongside ongoing discussions with Volkswagen, BYD, and Stellantis to expand their investments in Egypt, further reinforcing the country’s position as a regional centre for automotive manufacturing in the Middle East and Africa.

Aly Galal: The Fund’s Budget Increases to Support the Industry’s Transformation
In a related context, Mr Aly Galal, Secretary-General of the Automotive Industry Financing Fund at the Ministry of Finance, announced that the Fund’s budget for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 has reached EGP 3.2 million, compared to EGP 1 million last year. He clarified that the new budget was developed in full coordination with companies operating in the sector to assess their production plans and estimate realistic incentive requirements.

Galal explained that the Fund’s resources are governed by Law No. 162 of 2022, which established the Eco-Friendly Automotive Industry Financing Fund and outlined its funding sources, including allocations from the state budget, loans, and investment returns.

He further noted that the Fund does not provide direct cash subsidies to companies but instead operates through a structured mechanism for settling governmental dues, ensuring a balanced financial system that supports manufacturers while maintaining fiscal discipline.

Galal also mentioned that the Fund has held a series of meetings with manufacturers and companies to strengthen collaboration, listen to their needs, and integrate their proposals, with the ultimate goal of advancing the national objectives for industrialization and the adoption of alternative energy. He stressed that the Fund remains open to all ideas and initiatives that accelerate the transition toward clean energy in Egypt’s automotive sector.

The session concluded with a collective message of optimism, affirming that the path toward localizing Egypt’s automotive industry has never been more straightforward, driven by a supportive government vision, unified efforts from investors and manufacturers, and a national determination to transform the sector into an actual engine of industrial and economic development.