Egypt Incubator Graduates 12 Green Startups via GreenShift Programme

Nahdet El Mahrousa (NM), an incubator for social enterprises in Egypt, concluded the GreenShift Programme on Tuesday, October 27. The initiative supported 12 green scaleups based in Greater Cairo and the Delta, providing both acceleration services and financial backing to help businesses expand their operations.

October 27, 2026: GreenShift Summit

The GreenShift Summit convened over 150 participants, including investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. The event showcased the progress of the 12 graduating companies, which operate in sectors such as waste management, climate action, and the circular economy. These businesses focus on converting agricultural and plastic waste into sustainable products, alongside initiatives involving Nile clean-ups and upcycled electronics.

The Programme Implementation

Implemented by NM in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the initiative received co-funding from the European Union and the German Federal Government. The process involved 1,353 initial applications. Organizers provided 46 fellows with approximately 160 hours of training, consultations, and retreats. Additionally, the programme distributed EGP 1.3 million in productive assets to 18 fellows, contributing to a total investment of EGP 57.5 million for the scaleups.

Addressing Operational Barriers

Mostafa Ashraf, a private sector adviser at GIZ, identified high upfront equipment costs as a significant barrier for growing enterprises. The GreenShift Programme addressed this by financing machinery, allowing companies to improve production processes. Tarek Makram, founder of Extractor Co., stated that the financial support and expert guidance were essential for establishing his company’s factory and managing resource allocation.

Current Status of Green Enterprises

The program has concluded, leaving 12 scaleups equipped with new machinery and professional guidance. Mona Shehab, Director of the National Solid Waste Management Programme, noted that these startups are essential for fostering a sustainable national economy.