Egypt’s mobile phone and component exports surged to $12 million in 2024, up from just $129,000 in 2019, according to the Cabinet Media Centre. The jump reflects accelerating progress under the government’s drive to localize electronics manufacturing and position Egypt as a regional hub for smartphone production.
Backed by the Egypt Makes Electronics initiative, the state has expanded export rebates, cut customs duties on key components to 2 percent, waived certain regulatory and development fees, and introduced a digital governance system for mobile devices via the “Telefoni” app. These incentives are tied to a 40 percent local value-added requirement.
Global and regional brands have responded with increased investment. Egypt now hosts 15 manufacturers with a combined annual capacity of 20 million units and around $200 million in local investments. Samsung leads with $700 million invested and capacity of six million devices annually, while Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, Nokia and Infinix all operate local facilities through partners such as El-Safi Industrial Group and SICO, some already exporting to North Africa.
International analysts including Fitch Solutions, Euromonitor International, and Business Insider Africa highlight Egypt as an emerging smartphone manufacturing hub in the Middle East, citing supportive policy, improving infrastructure, and a gradual shift from assembly to full-scale production. The strategy aims to deepen local supply chains, reduce imports, and turn electronics into a key export growth engine.
