Egypt Golden License: eligibility, steps and documents

Legal basis

• Article 20 of the Investment Law (Law 72 of 2017), replaced by Law 160 of 2023.
• Articles 41, 42 and 43 of the Investment Law Executive Regulations; Prime Minister Decree 4426 of 2022 simplified the Article 42 conditions.
• Council of Ministers Decree 56 of 2022 on the criteria for strategic or national projects and the sectors covered, amended by Decrees 67 of 2022 and 10 of 2023.
• The Golden License Unit at GAFI, set up by Prime Minister Decree 1156 of 2020.

Who can get it

• Companies of any legal form, existing (expansions) or setting up new investment projects.
• Companies set up for strategic or national projects that contribute to sustainable development under the State's economic development plan.
• Companies set up for partnerships between the private sector and the State, the public sector or the public business sector in public utilities and infrastructure, new and renewable energy, roads and transport, ports, and telecommunications and IT.

Criteria for a strategic or national project (one or more)

• Exports at least 50% of its products a year, starting within three years of starting business.
• Financed with foreign currency transferred from abroad through an Egyptian bank.
• Cuts imports and deepens local content, with at least 50% local components.
• Located in one of the areas most in need of development listed in Council of Ministers Decree 7 of 2020.
• Transfers and localises modern technology and supports innovation and research.
• Provides strategic goods and reduces their import.
• Labour-intensive, employing the national workforce.
• Reduces environmental impact and gas emissions.

The 13 sectors covered

• Electricity and renewable energy
• Petroleum and mineral resources
• Transport
• Industry
• Communications and IT
• Housing, utilities and urban communities
• Tourism
• Youth and sports
• Environment
• Agriculture
• Military production
• Health
• Internal trade and supply

The project types in each sector are listed in the official guide.

Applicant conditions (Executive Regulations, Article 42)

1. Evidence of the financial solvency needed to carry out the project.
2. A preliminary feasibility study by a reputable, licensed national or international consultancy.
3. A project implementation timetable.
4. An undertaking to provide all infrastructure utilities (roads, water, sewage, electricity, communications, waste treatment).
5. An undertaking to comply with all rules for the company's activity under the laws that govern it.

Steps

1. Submit the application to the technical secretariat of the Golden License Unit at the GAFI building on Salah Salem Street, or on the Golden License e-platform (register with an email, enter the activation code, submit the application and upload the documents).
2. The Unit reviews the application and conditions, identifies the land and the bodies with jurisdiction over it, the building and operating permits and who grants them, and the incentives to propose, coordinating with the bodies concerned.
3. The Unit sends the Prime Minister a memorandum for each complete application, listing the land, permits and proposed incentives.
4. The application goes to the Council of Ministers, which issues a decree granting the Golden License.
5. The Unit coordinates with the bodies concerned to put the licence into effect and ease the company's procedures.

Documents (two certified copies of each)

• Articles of incorporation and association and the incorporation certificate (if already incorporated).
• A recent commercial registry extract (if already incorporated).
• A copy of the tax card (if already incorporated).
• A preliminary feasibility study by a reputable consultancy.
• Evidence of financial solvency for the project.
• The project timetable.
• Undertakings by the legal representative on utilities, compliance with the activity's laws, the implementation schedule, and civil protection and environmental requirements.
• The possession document shown in the commercial registry.
• Any other documents the Unit requests.

FAQ

Who grants the Golden License?

The Council of Ministers grants it by decree, after GAFI's Golden License Unit reviews the application.

Are other approvals needed afterwards?

Under Article 20 the approval is valid on its own without further action; the Unit coordinates with the bodies concerned to put it into effect.

Can I apply online?

Yes, on the Golden License e-platform, or in person at GAFI.

How Wang Fu can help

• A first check of whether the project may qualify.
• Preparing and translating the project file (Chinese, Arabic, English).
• Interpreting when you meet the authorities.