The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Image from Shaghalni via website

Each year on International Youth Day, observed on August 12th, the media highlights the potential of young people and discusses the opportunities they could realise if provided with adequate support. However, across Egypt, a new generation is already proving they don’t need to wait for permission to lead change. Take Doaa Aref, for example. In 2017, when she couldn’t access cancer medication from overburdened pharmacies, Doaa didn’t just file a complaint; she built a solution.

This spirit of proactive problem-solving defines many of Egypt’s youth-led startups today. Far from boardrooms and bureaucracies, these founders are tackling healthcare gaps, education inequality, job access, and environmental sustainability with ideas rooted in lived experience and local urgency. On this International Youth Day, their stories offer more than inspiration; they offer blueprints.

Chefaa

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Founded by Doaa Aref and Rasha El Natory, Chefaa is a digital health platform helping patients with chronic illnesses access essential medications with a click. The app lets users schedule refills, locate nearby pharmacies, and even receive doorstep delivery. Chefaa now serves thousands across Egypt and parts of the Gulf, offering a lifeline to those too often left behind by traditional healthcare systems.

Rology

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In many Egyptian hospitals, a shortage of radiologists means dangerous diagnostic delays. That’s where Rology comes in. Using AI and cloud tech, this startup, built by a young team of engineers and doctors, matches hospitals with certified radiologists remotely, helping speed up critical diagnoses and reduce patient wait times.

Shaghalni

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While many job platforms focus on white-collar roles, Shaghalni was designed for a different purpose: connecting blue-collar workers, artisans, and technicians to real employment opportunities. Founded by young Egyptians frustrated with job market inequality, the platform uses accessible language and easy registration to reach marginalised job seekers and give employers a wider, more inclusive talent pool.

Baramouda

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Agricultural waste is a national problem. However, for the young founders of Baramouda, it was a business opportunity. Operating from Upper Egypt, this agri-tech startup turns sugarcane and rice husks into eco-friendly compost, helping farmers increase soil fertility and cut costs. Their innovation supports sustainability and rural economies, often overlooked in the Cairo-centric tech space.

Bekia

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Founded by a young entrepreneur with a vision for sustainability, Bekia is a startup that allows users to trade recyclable waste, like paper, plastic, and electronics, for groceries, phone credit, and school supplies. The platform not only incentivises recycling in a country struggling with waste management, but also supports low-income communities with tangible benefits in return.

OTO Courses

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With a mission to make language and professional training more accessible, OTO Courses offers live, one-on-one online lessons taught by vetted instructors. Created by a young Egyptian team, the platform helps students and professionals improve their skills at their own pace, especially those in areas with limited access to quality education.