Weeks after the conclusion of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, global attention is shifting from high-level commitments to the local realities of implementation. 

Countries pledged to triple multilateral development bank lending, strengthen domestic revenue systems, and invest in innovative financial tools such as green bonds and sustainability-linked credit.  

At the center of this global shift is a powerful but often overlooked engine of change: micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). 

The Role of MSMEs in Egypt’s Economy 

In Egypt, MSMEs constitute the backbone of the economy, representing the vast majority of the private sector with businesses operating nationwide. Their competitiveness, scalability, and resilience are fundamental to the private sector’s sustained growth and productivity. 

At UNDP, we are translating the global agenda into local action. By linking MSMEs into finance schemes, formalization pathways, and capacity-building platforms, we help ensure these entrepreneurs are part of the strategy to implement the Seville agenda within Egypt’s development priorities. 

Green Growth in Action: Success Stories from Egypt’s MSMEs 

Egypt’s MSMEs are powerful engines of innovation, resilience, and inclusive economic growth. Through the Green Growth and Jobs Accelerator Project (GGJAP), UNDP is supporting businesses that are scaling their operations and aligning with national and global sustainability goals.  

The following stories highlight four MSMEs in the GGJAP cohort that are making tangible contributions to green growth in Egypt.  

Medex – Smart logistics for expired medicines

Medex was founded in 2019 by Ahmed Fathy Gabr, who grew up in a family of pharmacists. He witnessed firsthand the heavy financial losses pharmacies face due to expired medicines that could not be returned losses which he estimates to total around EGP 8 billion across Egypt annually. Medex was launched as a smart logistics platform that facilitates the collection of expired and unused medicines from households and pharmacies. The system ensures safe disposal and includes an incentive-based loyalty programme to encourage participation. 

Through its involvement in GGJAP, Medex benefited from access to tools such as Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) and the Impact Lab, which helped it organize and present its data more effectively. The company expanded its market potential by 45 percent, saw a 45 percent increase in its customer base, and signed memorandum of understanding with partners in Saudi Arabia and Oman. Medex also secured partnerships with two pharmaceutical companies, a recycling organization, and TerraCycle.   

Mezatech – Extending device lifespan and reducing e-waste

Mezatech, co-founded by Amr Mohamed Ibrahim Abo-Gazea, began in 2021 as a mobile phone and laptop repair business following his own experience struggling to repair a personal device. The company soon grew into a wider venture offering device refurbishment, spare parts, and a product line called Black Mint. 

Participation in GGJAP provided Mezatech with access to environmental knowledge and impact tracking tools. The company collaborated with the Ministry of Environment, and the American University in Cairo to raise awareness about e-waste among younger generations. Through the programme, Mezatech began focusing on clients with an environmental impact mandate and initiated plans for forecasting growth. Although the cohort is still in its early stages, the company signed a purchase order with Siemens and other major multinationals in Egypt for electronic waste reduction.   

IWTE – Water treatment solutions rooted in experience 

Established over 30 years ago and now led by Mohamed Mokhlef as the 2nd generation in command, IWTE (International for Water Technology and Environment) provides water treatment solutions for commercial and industrial clients. The company originated from an incident in a beverage factory where contaminated water caused significant product losses—an event that led the founder to explore water treatment as a viable business. 

IWTE joined GGJAP with the aim of exploring green business opportunities and strengthening internal operations. Although it is still early in its participation, the company is using the programme to address challenges related to change management, talent acquisition, and business growth. Through external and internal training, IWTE is working to shift its organizational mindset and build a more sustainability-oriented culture.  

Al-Fares – Advancing agricultural cloning in Fayoum 

Al-Fares was established by Essam Shaaban, whose journey began in 2000 as an agriculture student at Cairo University. Despite early skepticism from his professors, he pursued his vision of creating a plant cloning lab. In 2018, he opened the first lab of its kind, focusing on a variety of plant types. 

In 2020, the business was severely affected by floods and the COVID-19 pandemic, which destroyed the lab and forced it to close. With no insurance coverage for the damages, Al-Fares relocated and implemented improved safety measures. Through GGJAP, the business accessed training on carbon credits and sustainability metrics and took part in Shark Tank, gaining significant exposure. Al-Fares reports a 70–80 percent increase in market reach and has begun planning expansion into the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The company also formed a new partnership with World Green Gate in the UAE to promote its work across the Gulf region.  

As the world moves to act on the promises made in Seville, Egypt’s MSMEs are ready to lead. But they can do it with the right support; strategic investment, enabling policies, and strong partnerships. They can transform their own futures, and the country’s as well.