Gemini Africa Hosts MENAGEN Study Tour, Showcasing Entrepreneurship and Community Impact Across Egypt

Gemini Africa welcomed an international delegation of academics, researchers, and entrepreneurship experts from the Middle East and North Africa Gender and Enterprise Network (MENAGEN) today at Diwan Heliopolis, offering an opportunity to showcase its work supporting entrepreneurs, startups, and underserved communities across Egypt, particularly in Upper Egypt. The visit formed part of the MENAGEN Cairo Study Tour 2026, organized in collaboration with Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship (MBSC). The network brings together international scholars committed to advancing research on gender, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development across the MENA region.

The morning began with an insightful conversation with Nadia Wassef, co-founder of Diwan Bookstores, who reflected on the role of women in entrepreneurship in Egypt. Drawing on her experience building Diwan into one of Egypt's leading cultural institutions, she highlighted the challenges women entrepreneurs face, the importance of challenging traditional norms, and how women-led businesses can create lasting economic and social impact. The session then continued with Gemini Africa's discussion, titled “Entrepreneurship and Development in Egypt,” offering visiting scholars a firsthand look at how the organization translates entrepreneurship support into tangible economic and social impact.

From Entrepreneurship Support to Real Community Impact

During the session, Gemini Africa introduced its mission, programs, and approach to empowering entrepreneurs through its 3M Framework: Mentorship, Matchmaking, and Money. With a particular focus on women, youth, and underserved communities, Gemini Africa works to bridge gaps in access to business knowledge, funding, networks, and market opportunities, helping entrepreneurs transform promising ideas into sustainable businesses. A highlight of the visit was the opportunity for delegates to meet four Egyptian startups supported by Gemini Africa, each demonstrating how entrepreneurship can address real challenges while creating economic opportunities.

Four Startups, Four Different Stories of Impact

KUFUF – Preserving Egyptian Craftsmanship Founded by Iman Shihab, KUFUF combines traditional Egyptian handwoven kilim craftsmanship with contemporary design. A graduate of Gemini Africa's Weavers of Tomorrow program, the business produces handcrafted home décor and lifestyle products using natural materials. With a production capacity of approximately 1,000 items per month and access to international markets, KUFUF demonstrates how traditional crafts can evolve into scalable businesses while preserving Egyptian heritage and supporting artisanal livelihoods.

Salahly – Connecting Technology with Skilled Employment Founded in Assiut by Ahmed Kenawy, Salahly is a technology-enabled maintenance services business connecting households and companies with qualified technicians. Beyond simplifying access to reliable maintenance services, Salahly has expanded into vocational training, creating opportunities for skilled workers and demonstrating how entrepreneurs from Upper Egypt can build businesses that grow beyond their home governorates.

Lamh – Making Education More Inclusive Founded by Romany Soliman, Lamh develops innovative educational and assistive technology solutions for blind and visually impaired learners. Its patented Interactive Tactile Learning Kit helps children develop essential learning skills through touch, sound, and interactive activities. The startup also supports teachers and families, demonstrating how entrepreneurship can make education more accessible and inclusive.

Wexfi – Turning Connectivity into Business Growth Founded by Abdelrahman Salah and Fadel Ali, Wexfi is a technology startup transforming how businesses use WiFi connectivity. Through its digital platform, cafés, restaurants, hotels, and other venues can manage their networks, understand customer behavior, and improve marketing performance. With more than 1,200 customers and a profitable business model, Wexfi demonstrates the potential of Egyptian technology startups to develop commercially sustainable solutions. Together, these four businesses reflected the diversity of Egypt's entrepreneurial ecosystem, from heritage crafts and inclusive education to digital services and technology innovation.

Building Sustainable Impact Through Strong Partnerships

An important part of the discussion focused on the sustainability of entrepreneurship support organizations and the challenges of securing long-term funding. Adly Thoma, CEO of Gemini Africa, shared insights into the importance of building an organization that is not only impact-driven but also financially sustainable. He emphasized that delivering meaningful support to entrepreneurs requires more than good intentions. It requires a sustainable business model, a strong institutional reputation, measurable impact, and long-term partnerships. Gemini Africa works closely with a diverse network of partners across the private sector, government institutions, universities, and development organizations, enabling it to design and deliver programs that respond to real needs on the ground. Mr. Thoma also acknowledged that securing funding for entrepreneurship and development programs remains challenging, particularly when working with underserved communities where impact may take time to materialize. However, he highlighted that a strong track record, demonstrated results, genuine commitment to beneficiaries, and alignment with partners' strategic priorities are essential to building successful and lasting collaborations. For Gemini Africa, maintaining the quality of its programs and ensuring that entrepreneurs receive meaningful, tailored support remain central to its approach. The discussion reinforced an important message: sustainable impact depends on building an organization that can sustain itself while continuing to deliver value to the communities it serves.

Connecting Research with Real Entrepreneurial Experiences

The visit concluded with an engaging Q&A session, during which MENAGEN scholars exchanged perspectives with Gemini Africa's leadership and participating entrepreneurs. Discussions explored the realities of building businesses in Egypt, the barriers facing women and entrepreneurs in underserved communities, the role of partnerships, and the challenges of balancing social impact with financial sustainability. The exchange offered researchers an opportunity to connect academic perspectives with the lived experiences of Egyptian founders, while providing entrepreneurs with a platform to share their challenges, achievements, and ambitions with an international audience.

Strengthening the Connection Between Academia and Entrepreneurship

Hosting the MENAGEN Study Tour reflects Gemini Africa's commitment to fostering collaboration between academia, the private sector, development institutions, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. By bringing international researchers closer to entrepreneurs working on the ground, the visit helped highlight the importance of connecting research with practical experience and ensuring that entrepreneurship policies and programs reflect the realities of the communities they aim to serve. For Gemini Africa, the visit was an opportunity not only to showcase the startups it supports, but also to demonstrate how genuine commitment, strategic partnerships, and sustainable business models can help entrepreneurship become a powerful driver of inclusive economic development across Egypt. Empowering Ideas. Enabling Impact.