Egypt and Sudan explore SME cooperation during Cairo meetings

Egypt – Officials from Sudan visited Cairo on February 17, 2026, to discuss micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) support frameworks with Egypt’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, aiming to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen private-sector growth.

The Sudanese delegation included representatives from Sudan’s Transitional Cabinet, the Ministries of Finance and Justice, and the Central Bank. Discussions focused on Egypt’s legal and financial mechanisms for SME development, particularly Law No. 152 of 2020, which provides a national framework for MSME support.

Egyptian officials outlined financial initiatives, including a 500 million Egyptian pound funding agreement with Suez Canal Bank, enabling small enterprises to access up to EGP 30 million and medium enterprises up to EGP 60 million for machinery, equipment, raw materials, and training programs. Broader partnerships with banks such as Banque du Caire were also highlighted, showcasing Egypt’s approach to channel funding toward entrepreneurship, productivity, and technology projects.

The meetings covered regulatory compliance support, one-stop service models, and operational procedures designed to streamline business formalization and improve access to government-backed credit and training. The Sudanese delegation explored how these mechanisms could be adapted to support Sudanese SMEs, which are increasingly recognized as engines of employment creation and private-sector growth.

This engagement aligns with ongoing economic cooperation between Egypt and Sudan, including trade, investment, and institutional capacity-building initiatives. Pending outcomes may inform Sudan’s domestic SME policies, enabling the country to replicate successful financing and regulatory frameworks to bolster entrepreneurship and strengthen its private sector.

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are widely recognized as key drivers of economic growth, innovation, and job creation across Africa. In Egypt, MSMEs constitute the vast majority of registered businesses and contribute significantly to output and employment. The government has prioritized their development through legal, financial, and institutional frameworks, most notably Law No. 152 of 2020, which establishes a national policy for MSME support.

Implementation of this law is coordinated by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency, which provides both financial and non-financial support across Egypt’s governorates. Key initiatives include credit facilities in partnership with national banks, business formalization services, training programs, and access to technology and equipment. Funding agreements, such as the EGP 500 million facility with Suez Canal Bank, demonstrate Egypt’s approach to scaling MSME access to capital.

Sudan, like many countries in the region, is seeking to strengthen its SME sector to boost private-sector growth and create employment, particularly in the wake of economic and political challenges. Knowledge sharing and institutional cooperation with Egypt allows Sudan to study successful frameworks, adapt financing models, and strengthen legal and regulatory mechanisms to support local entrepreneurs.

Bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Sudan extends beyond SMEs to broader trade, investment, and institutional capacity-building initiatives, reflecting a shared interest in leveraging economic partnerships for regional development. The Cairo meetings form part of ongoing efforts to align Sudanese SME policies with proven practices, fostering sustainable business growth and strengthening cross-border economic collaboration.