Apple’s Director of Government Affairs for the Middle East and Pakistan, Omar El-Rifai, met Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hassan El-Khatib, on 2 June. During the Cairo meeting, El-Khatib officially invited Apple to open a brick-and-mortar Apple Store—the company’s first on Egyptian soil.
Why Egypt wants a flagship store
Officials see a storefront as a powerful signal that Apple is serious about turning the country into a regional technology hub. Moreover, a local Apple Store would join more than 500 locations already spread across 26 countries, boosting Egypt’s retail profile and tech tourism at once.
From invitation to grand opening
Apple has not accepted the offer yet, and building a store is a marathon, not a sprint. The firm must secure permits, choose a site, and clear local zoning rules—steps that can take years. Nevertheless, ministry leaders pledged full support to speed approvals and “create high-quality jobs” in the process.
Existing footprint quietly grows
Even without retail space, Apple already runs call centers, training facilities, and innovation hubs across Egypt. The minister described these operations as “among the most advanced in the region,” underscoring that Apple’s presence extends well beyond storefronts and iPhone sales.
Regional strategy in focus
While global headlines often center on Apple’s investments in China, India, and the United States, the Cairo dialogue shows the company is still eyeing new frontiers. By adding Egypt, Apple would strengthen supply-chain redundancy and tap a young, tech-savvy population of more than 110 million. Therefore, analysts say a single flagship could pave the way for further retail and developer initiatives across North Africa.
What comes next
Negotiations will likely continue over location, tax incentives, and staffing. Yet both sides left the June meeting optimistic, hinting at future announcements once feasibility studies wrap. If Apple green-lights the project, Cairo could see its first glass-walled Apple Store—as well as “Today at Apple” classes—before the decade ends.
