98% Egyptian Women Entrepreneurs Confident about Revenue Growth: Mastercard Survey

• Egypt women have high entrepreneurial spirit
• Women aspire to pursue their dreams, achieve financial independence, and make a global impact
• Findings from Mastercard's latest research released ahead of International Women's Day 2025

Women in Egypt are displaying a strong entrepreneurial spirit, driven by a desire to pursue their dreams, achieve financial independence, and create a meaningful impact, according to Mastercard’s latest research, released ahead of International Women’s Day 2025.

As part of its commitment to promoting financial inclusion, Mastercard has released this report across its Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) region, including Egypt. The initiative aims to support women entrepreneurs, offer valuable business insights, and drive actionable solutions to overcome systemic barriers.

“Our research underscores the impressive entrepreneurial spirit of women across the EEMEA region. While progress has been made, challenges persist, highlighting the need for greater support. At Mastercard, we are committed to empowering the next generation of small business leaders, providing them with the tools and resources to grow and succeed,” said Selin Bahadirli, Executive Vice President, Services, Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Mastercard.

In Egypt, a significant percentage of both men (41 percent) and women (38 percent) identify as entrepreneurs, highlighting the country’s changing business environment. Unlike the broader EEMEA region, older generations, particularly Gen X (54 percent of men and 51 percent of women), are more likely to view themselves as entrepreneurs compared to millennials and Gen Z.

Seventy-seven percent of women in Egypt have considered starting or running their own business, with this number rising to 83 percent among Gen Z women. However, more than half (56 percent) of Egyptian women have yet to take the step toward entrepreneurship.

The top sectors in which Egyptian women are interested in starting businesses include education (24 percent), cosmetics (20 percent), and marketing/advertising/PR/market research (17 percent). In a positive trend, 98 percent of women business owners in Egypt are optimistic about revenue growth over the next five years, a figure that surpasses the rest of the EEMEA region, where 89 percent share the same outlook.

Among women who have started a business, 37 percent struggle with assessing digital infrastructure like payment systems, and 35 percent face challenges in securing funding. A third find it difficult to choose the right technology for their business, while 26 percent want to build a sustainable business but don’t know how. This is similar to the 31 percent of women across EEMEA with the same concern.

Regarding cyber security, 81 percent of men and 80 percent of women acknowledge the need to better understand how to protect their businesses from potential cyber-attacks. However, men (41 percent) are more likely than women (24 percent) to admit they are unsure about how to safeguard their businesses. These findings emphasize the crucial role of secure digital transactions in ensuring business success.

Mastercard’s survey clearly shows that Egyptian women are eager to shape the future of business but face significant challenges. As International Women’s Day 2025 approaches, the company is dedicated to promoting an inclusive digital economy where women entrepreneurs are not only supported but also recognized as vital contributors to economic progress.