GAFI Egypt

What GAFI Egypt does

GAFI Egypt (General Authority for Investment and Free Zones) is a public economic authority under Egypt's Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, established in 1970 and headquartered in Nasr City, Cairo. It is the country's sole statutory body responsible for regulating, encouraging, advancing, administering, and promoting investment in Egypt, with a stated mandate aligned to Egypt Vision 2030. GAFI serves both foreign and domestic investors — from individual entrepreneurs and startups to large multinational corporations — across sectors including oil and gas, real estate, banking, telecommunications, healthcare, automotive, and beverages.

Its core service portfolio includes company establishment and incorporation, issuance of investment licenses and the expedited Golden License for strategic projects, Free Zone and Investment Zone administration, FDI reporting on a quarterly basis for companies with foreign participation, CSR/sustainability compliance, financial audit services, and post-incorporation services (amendments, general assemblies, liquidations, document certification). Service delivery operates through a hybrid channel model: 14 physical Investors Service Centers (ISCs) across all Egyptian governorates, each embedding representatives from 66+ government ministries and bodies (Commercial Register, Real Estate Registration, Chambers of Commerce, Financial Regulatory Authority), and digital platforms including the GAFI e-services portal and the interactive Investment Map (investinegypt.gov.eg) with e-signature and online queuing capabilities.

GAFI's business model is fee-based and statutory: it collects one-time incorporation and licensing fees, free zone administrative fees, post-incorporation service fees, and Golden License fees. Pricing is not publicly disclosed but operates under Egyptian law with corporate tax at 22.5% and VAT at 14%. The 2023 CEO Decree No. 270 cut post-incorporation documentation requirements by 62%, materially reducing setup friction. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. Headcount is 251–500, and GAFI is led by CEO Dr. Mohamed Awad with Deputy CEO Dr. Iman Mansour, operating under the strategic direction of Minister Mohamed Farid.

Name

GAFI Egypt

Legal name

General Authority for Investment and Free Zones

Website

https://gafi.gov.eg

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

GAFI Egypt (General Authority for Investment and Free Zones) is Egypt's statutory investment promotion authority under the Ministry of Investment, regulating and facilitating investments for foreign and domestic investors, startups, SMEs, and large corporations through 14 Investor Service Centers and digital e-services platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Investment Promotion and Regulatory Services

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615), International Affairs (92812), Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), International Affairs (9721), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Entity Setup & Expansion Advisory (Market Entry, Subsidiary Formation) (BPACAHAM)

Keywords

• Investment promotion services
• Free zone administration
• Company registration services
• Investment licensing
• Regulatory authority services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nasr City

HQ country

Egypt

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Investment Licensing and Registration Fees: GAFI charges fees for investment licenses, company registration, company name reservation, and other incorporation services. These are government-mandated fees for regulatory services.
2. Free Zone Services: Revenue from companies operating in Egypt's Free Zones under GAFI's administration, including facility services and regulatory oversight.
3. Post-Incorporation Services: Fees for services related to company amendments, general assemblies, financial audits, and other post-incorporation regulatory services.
4. Golden License Administration: Special investment licensing service for strategic projects, typically involving significant investments with expedited approvals.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GAFI Egypt (General Authority for Investment and Free Zones) is Egypt's government regulatory authority that administers investment licensing, company registration and incorporation, free zone and investment zone oversight, and the Golden License program for strategic projects. It coordinates investor services across 66+ government bodies through 14 physical Investor Service Centers and an electronic portal, while tracking foreign direct investment through quarterly reporting.

Product overview

GAFI Egypt (General Authority for Investment and Free Zones) operates as a government regulatory body providing investment facilitation services rather than a commercial technology product company. The authority offers a portfolio of government services including company establishment, investment licensing, Golden License approvals, and Investor Service Centers across Egypt. Services are delivered through an electronic portal, One Stop Shop centers, and a network of 14 Investors Service Centers in all governorates with representatives from over 60 governmental entities. Key offerings include company incorporation, foreign direct investment reporting, investment zone management (Free Zones, Inland, Investment Zones), and the Investment Map platform for visualizing investment opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Company Incorporation Services Electronic portal service enabling investors to incorporate companies in Egypt under Companies Law or Investment Law, with same-day incorporation possible.
• Golden License Special expedited investment license for strategic projects in Egypt, providing streamlined regulatory approvals for major capital investments.
• Investment Licenses Issuance and management of investment licenses for businesses operating in Egypt under various investment regimes.
• Foreign Direct Investment Reporting Quarterly reporting service for companies with foreign participation, fulfilling statistical requirements under Investment Law for FDI tracking.
• Investor Service Center (ISC) 14 physical one-stop shop centers across Egyptian governorates staffed with representatives from 66+ government bodies, providing company incorporation, mergers, liquidations, and document certification.
• Investment Zones Management Administration of Free Zones, Inland Investment, and Investment Zones, each offering distinct regulatory frameworks and tax incentive structures.
• Investment Map Interactive digital platform visually displaying investment opportunities across Egyptian sectors, with project information, infrastructure proximity data, and a connection channel between investors and government officials.
• Limited Liability Companies Services Procedures and services for establishing and managing limited liability companies in Egypt, with minimum capital requirements reduced to EGP 200.
• Company Amendments Services Post-incorporation services for amending company structures and details, with document requirements reduced by 62% under GAFI CEO Decree 270 of 2023.
• General Assemblies Services Regulatory services for company general assemblies and shareholder meetings compliance.
• Company Name Reservation Online reservation service for company names during the incorporation process.
• Investor's Agent Certification Services Certification services for investor's agents authorized to act on behalf of foreign investors in Egypt.
• E-Investment Gazette Electronic publication service for official investment-related announcements and regulatory notices.
• Submitting Documents Service Electronic document submission service for regulatory filings and applications through GAFI's e-portal.
• Financial Audit Services Financial auditing services for companies operating under investment law provisions in Egypt.
• CSR/Sustainability Services Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability reporting and compliance services for companies registered with GAFI.

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered regional, major and core.

• Hungarian Government (Embassy of Hungary in Cairo)regionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2026GAFI CEO Mohamed El-Gawasky met with Hungary's ambassador Rita Viktorija Herrencsár to discuss expanding Egyptian-Hungarian investment partnerships across tourism, industry, agriculture, construction, and communications sectors. Both sides agreed to increase coordination on investment and trade volumes with particular interest in Hungarian cooperation in renewable energy projects, especially solar power.
• DrasChem Specialty ChemicalsmajorOthers · 7 February 2026GAFI facilitates DrasChem Specialty Chemicals' establishment of the Middle East's first sodium cyanide production facility at Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals Complex in Alexandria. The $200 million project backed by Austria-based Petrochemical Holding GmbH will produce 50,000 tonnes annually creating 500 jobs, utilizing proprietary technology from Czech Republic-based Draslovka.
• MSMEDA (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAFI works with MSMEDA to strengthen support for entrepreneurs through enhanced institutional integration. Cooperation frameworks include the Startup Charter launched in February and incentives under Enterprise Development Law No. 152 of 2020. Joint efforts also address MSMEDA's digital platform for MSMEs and preparations for Cairo's hosting of FRANEX 2026 (Egyptian-Saudi International Franchise Exhibition).
• Ministry of Investment and Foreign TradecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGAFI operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade. Minister Mohamed Farid held meetings with GAFI officials to discuss strengthening entrepreneurial support through enhanced institutional integration, including cooperation frameworks for the Startup Charter and Enterprise Development Law incentives.
• 66+ Government Ministries and Bodies (ISC Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Investor Service Center brings together representatives from over 66 ministries and government bodies including Real Estate Registration Office, Commercial Register, Chambers of Commerce, and Financial Regulatory Authority. All agencies needed for company establishment or license issuance are available at the center.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Invest India: Invest India is India's national investment promotion and facilitation agency, providing investor targeting, aftercare, and policy advocacy. Closest emerging-market peer in mandate and operating model.
• Jordan Investment Commission (JIC): JIC is Jordan's investment promotion and licensing authority, providing investor services, sector incentives, and free zone oversight. Operates a comparable mandate in a neighboring MENA economy.
• UAE Ministry of Investment (MoI): The UAE's federal investment ministry handles licensing and promotion of inbound FDI, with comparable sector-prioritization and free-zone oversight functions across the Emirates.
• Moroccan Investment Development Agency (AMDIE): AMDIE is Morocco's national investment promotion agency, responsible for attracting FDI, supporting company establishment, and promoting strategic sectors. Closest North African peer to GAFI with a similar single-window approach.
• Tunisia Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA): FIPA is Tunisia's national investment promotion agency offering company creation services, sector targeting, and aftercare for foreign investors. Same function, same regional competitive set.
• Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment (MISA, formerly SAGIA): MISA is the Gulf equivalent investment promotion authority, offering company licensing, sector incentives, and one-stop services to foreign investors entering Saudi Arabia. Directly comparable mandate, structure, and customer base to GAFI.

Broad incumbents

• Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB): Singapore EDB is the global gold-standard investment promotion agency, attracting FDI through sector targeting, aftercare, and incentives. A broader incumbent whose practices set the benchmark GAFI's reform agenda emulates.
• UK Office for Investment (Department for Business and Trade): The UK Office for Investment is the UK government's lead investment promotion body for high-value FDI, providing dedicated support to strategic investors. Established peer with comparable high-touch investor servicing model.

Regional players

• Rwanda Development Board (RDB): RDB combines investment promotion, company registration, and regulatory services into one agency — closely mirroring GAFI's integrated mandate in a different (African) geography.
• Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest): KenInvest is Kenya's national IPA, facilitating foreign investment entry and aftercare into East Africa. Comparable mandate in a different regional market; useful benchmark for GAFI's Africa outreach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gafiegypt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GAFI Egypt