The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) successfully concluded the fourth edition of the Youth Knowledge Forum (YKF), which was held in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports through the Knowledge Youth Office. The event was held at theCairo University Theatre on July 20 and 21, 2025, convening a distinguished group of experts and pioneers in this field.
The second and final day of YKF featured several in-depth discussions on key themes such as entrepreneurship, its challenges, as well as stages of development.
The sessions also explored Egypt’s diverse entrepreneurial projects, financial challenges hindering its establishment and growth, as well as strategies for investment attraction and risk management.
Moreover, the event showcased several inspiring entrepreneurial models and concluded with an open dialogue, during which young participants shared their future aspirations.
His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, said:“The Youth Knowledge Forum is a dynamic platform for empowering young people and cultivating a culture of entrepreneurship and investment across the region. We, atMBRFbelieve thatconstructive dialogues play a critical roleinstrengthening the regional business landscape, whilepromoting innovative entrepreneurial projects.
Such initiatives further highlight the joint efforts of the UAE and the Arab Republic of Egypt to catalyzeeconomic development and bolster the role of youth in society. We look forward to organizing more such impactful events which promote cooperation,and meaningful dialogue, further supporting the Foundation’s vision of enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship.”
The first session, held under the title ‘Entrepreneurship: From Beginnings to Challenges and Transformations,’was moderated by Dr. Nizar Sami, UNDP Egypt Innovation and Inclusive Growth Project Officer.
The session explored what motivates youth to become entrepreneurs and key challenges they face during the early stages of establishing their ventures. Prominent entrepreneurs, including Mohamed El Shabrawy El-Feky, Founder of Sympl; Mohamed Ragab, CEO of Imtlik Real Estate; Fady Ibrahim, Founder of Cropsa; Mohamed Yehia, Co-Founder of BIS; and Mohamed Koura, CEO of Vision, took part in the discussions, sharing their personal experiences with failure, key lessons learned, and the obstacles entrepreneurs face in accessing markets and building customer bases.
They also discussed the future of entrepreneurship and the prerequisites to creating a conducive environment for youth empowerment.
The second session, titled ‘Investment and Venture Capital,’ moderated by Mustafa Abdel Latif, Co-founder and CEO ofEYouth, explored Egypt’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape from an investment perspective, shedding light on the funding barriers that stifle start-up growth.
Featuring renowned speakers like Ali Mokhtar (CEO ofBeltone Venture Capital), Dr. Amr Al-AwamryfromARIA Ventures, and Nada Shaheen, Managing Director of GB Ventures, the discussion delved into start-up evaluation frameworks and emphasized the need to establish a robust investment ecosystem and foster innovation.
The third session, titled ‘Non-Financial Services and Their Role in Supporting Entrepreneurs,’ was chaired by Dr. Nizar Sami and explored strategies to strengthen Egypt’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and make it more appealing for young innovators. Discussionsrevolved around key mechanisms to boost start-up sustainability and facilitate regional growth. Panelists included Mohammed Al-Naggar, Global Transaction Banking Division Head at Banque du Caire; Dr. Dalia Mustafa, Entrepreneurship Expert; Dr. Hani Ayad, Chairman of the Youth Entrepreneurs Association; and Dr. Heba Al-Ashry, Director of the Entrepreneurship Centre at the Arab Academy for Science, who shared their insights on fostering long-term success for emerging businesses.
The second day of the Forum highlighted inspiring young entrepreneurs from Egypt, the UAE, Oman and Morocco, commemorating their innovative contributions towards strengthening the region’s start-up ecosystem. Notable speakers included Akram Marwan, founder of iCareer; Nadia Jamal Al-Din, creator of ‘Rahet Bali’; and Abdul Hamid Sharara, founder of RiseUp. Anis Al-Nahari from Oman also took part in the discussions, sharing his valuable insights on promoting youth-led projects and fostering sustainable impact.
YKF concluded with an open dialogue session, where young participants shared their visionary aspirations for the future, guided by insights from Dr. Hani Turki, Chief Technical Advisor at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Moreover, acommemorative group photosession was also held to officially mark the Forum’s successful conclusion.
The fourth edition of the Knowledge Youth Forum is a key milestone that facilitated an influential gathering of government officials, young visionaries, and thought leaders. It served as anideal platform for exchanging innovative ideas, forward-looking strategies, and actionable visions, which can advance the knowledge economy and promote human development. Moreover, participants strived to decode the major challenges faced by young entrepreneurs, while exploring practical mechanisms to strengthen knowledge-based economic growth.
