As of 2025, nearly 38 percent of Egyptian women identify as entrepreneurs, and most anticipate growth in their ventures. Yet, women’s participation in the formal labor force hovers around 18 percent, far below that of men, underscoring the systemic barriers that continue to limit women’s access to formal employment and economic opportunity. Economists suggest that closing this gap between men and women could amplify Egypt’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 56 percent, a figure that underscores just how much productive capacity the country is currently leaving untapped. This projection is important as it reframes women’s economic inclusion as a core driver of national growth. More importantly, integrating more women into the workforce would expand the labour pool, increase household incomes, and ultimately strengthen Egypt’s long-term economic competitiveness. In this framework, platforms that support women entrepreneurs become vital, transforming aspirations into concrete economic contributions.Key among these platforms are Entreprenelle, Business Women of Egypt 21 (BWE21), and the Women Entrepreneurs Network (WEN). Established in 1998, BWE21 is a non-profit organization that has created a stable ecosystem for women-led businesses, now boasting over 450 member companies across various sectors including manufacturing and services. …
