Catalyzing Entrepreneurship for Job Creation

The development objective of the Catalyzing Entrepreneurship for Job Creation Project for Egypt is to foster job creation and improve other economic opportunities for targeted beneficiaries. The project comprises of three components. The first component, financial support to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) objective is to address access to finance gaps among MSMEs in Egypt and encourage greater private sector participation in the MSME market through a robust market demonstration effect. The second component, risk capital for innovative startups and high growth SMEs entails the provision of equity and quasi equity investments to eligible risk capital intermediaries (RCI) that target innovative startups and high growth SMEs in the territory of the Borrower; and associated management costs. The third component, business and capacity development entails the provision of training, mentoring, coaching, and business development services to eligible MSMEs, participating financial institutions (PFIs), and eligible RCIs for part one and two of the project; provision of technical assistance to enhance MSME Development Agency (MSMEDA’s) usage of digital solutions, including for a digital matching platform aimed at connecting entrepreneurs with potential investors; and the developing of a robust monitoring framework, including for job creation under the project.