Foreign Ownership Restrictions In Egypt: Which Sectors Are Limited?

Egypt permits 100% foreign ownership in most sectors under Investment Law No. 72 of 2017 and companies law No.159 of the year 1981. Restrictions apply to a limited group of activities, including commercial agency work, importation for resale, media, defense and security services, aviation, and licensed financial activities. Geographic limits also apply in Sinai, border zones, and to agricultural land.

Introduction

Egypt has spent the past decade positioning itself as one of the most open economies in the Middle East and North Africa for foreign direct investment. Investment Law No. 72 of 2017 and companies law No.159 of the year 1981, also known as the Law of Investment Guarantees and Incentives, is the main legal basis for that approach. It gives foreign investors the same general treatment as Egyptian investors and protects core investment rights, including the right to establish companies, finance projects, manage operations, and repatriate profits and capital abroad.