Through discussions with innovative women leaders, the forum emphasizes the importance of these networks in promoting the inclusive growth of women’s entrepreneurship in Egypt. It features successful women sharing their personal success stories and the impact they have on motivating the next generation of female entrepreneurs.
The forum hosts prominent women leaders from various sectors, including Mrs. May Mahmoud, General Director of the Women Business Development Center at the National Council for Women; Mrs. Dalia Ibrahim, board member of WEN and Chairwoman of Dar Nahdet Misr Publishing House, founder of EdVentures and Tiye Angels; Bushra Rozza, actress, producer, and serial entrepreneur; alongside distinguished guests such as Mr. Chris Rangen, Chairman Link Capital; and Mr. Tarek El Kadi, founder and partner of Alex Angels Investment Fund and MED Investors. The forum will also feature an opening speech by Mrs. Noha Abdel Hamid, co-founder and President of WEN, and Dr. Hala Barakat, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the AUC School of Business, who will highlight the network's vital role in empowering women entrepreneurs and making a lasting impact on Egypt’s business landscape.
In her speech, Mrs. Noha Abdel Hamid, co-founder and president of WEN, spoke passionately about the forum’s focus on real-life success stories that demonstrate how achieving success is within anyone’s grasp. She said, "At WEN, we firmly believe in the power of women’s stories. The journeys of these leaders—shaped by their unique visions and the challenges they’ve triumphed over—are powerful sources of inspiration for others. They show us that success is not reserved for a select few, but achievable for all. Our mission is to empower female entrepreneurs, whether through strategic partnerships with the private sector, sharing crucial technical resources, or expanding networks that open the door to real opportunities. We want every successful woman to be a beacon of possibility for others—whether it’s by encouraging collaboration, making access to funding easier, or driving innovation through technology."
Abdel Hamid also highlighted the critical role of universities in nurturing women-led businesses and stressed the need for policies that foster innovation and equality. She stated, "Creating an inclusive environment begins with a strong partnership between academics and policymakers. Together, we must build sustainable platforms that not only unlock untapped potential but also support long-term growth."
The forum’s inaugural edition enjoys the support of distinguished sponsors. EdVentures is the event’s gold sponsor, while Arabize serves as the silver sponsor. EFE and Entreprenelle, together with the Egyptian Training and Development Council and Saroucha, have joined as bronze sponsors, reflecting their commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and strengthening the role of women in the sector.
It is worth noting that WEN was founded in 2018 and officially registered in 2023, making it Egypt’s first network dedicated to enhancing the women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. The network empowers female entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, increase revenues, and create job opportunities. This forum, which started with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2018, is currently hosted by the USAID Business Egypt project, which advocates for the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Egypt.
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