Pmaestro and Saudi's Safari Group Team Up for EGP 2 Billion Entertainment Investment in Egypt

Pmaestro has announced a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia's Safari Group, the exclusive regional franchisee for the global brand Chuck E. Cheese. Together, they're launching a fully integrated investment and operational platform in Egypt's entertainment sector, with an estimated investment of EGP 2 billion. This move is set to boost foreign direct investment and support Egypt's efforts to stimulate economic growth and entrepreneurship.

This partnership comes from a shared vision to capitalize on the promising investment opportunities in the Egyptian economy, especially in high-value service and entertainment sectors. These sectors are seeing growing demand, driven by demographic shifts and increased purchasing power among a wide segment of consumers.

Under the agreement, a joint entity named "CEC Egypt Holding" will be established. This entity will manage the franchise and develop and execute expansion strategies, operating under a modern corporate model that emphasizes governance and transparency. This approach aims to enhance resource allocation efficiency and achieve sustainable returns on investment.

The project will use a flexible investment structure that combines direct investment with a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model. This opens the door for broader participation from local and regional investors and investment funds, creating a comprehensive system that supports diversifying funding sources and expanding the ownership base.

Mohamed Mounir El-Ahwal, Founder and CEO of Pmaestro, explained that the platform is designed to be an advanced model for income-generating assets. It balances achieving stable operational cash flows with maximizing long-term capital value, aligning with global best practices in institutional investment management.

He added that the partnership is built on a sophisticated operational structure that integrates central management with field operations, applying the highest standards of quality and customer experience. This will help redefine the family entertainment sector in Egypt with a more organized and sustainable model. He also clarified that the platform will heavily rely on technology as a key element in developing operations and improving operational efficiency, thereby boosting competitiveness and fostering an environment conducive to the growth of sector-related startups.

El-Ahwal emphasized that this step represents a qualitative leap towards building an integrated investment platform capable of attracting capital and maximizing economic returns. He noted that the project will create new investment opportunities and stimulate the entrepreneurship environment in the Egyptian market. It also plans to transfer successful experiences from regional markets, especially the Saudi experience, and adapt them to suit the specifics of the local market.

He pointed out that the project is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect job opportunities, support local supply chains, and boost the entertainment sector's contribution to the GDP, aligning with Egypt's vision for economic diversification.

On his part, Ali Saleh Al-Saqri, CEO of the leading hospitality company under Safari Group, affirmed that the Egyptian market is one of the most promising in the region. He highlighted its strong growth drivers, including a large population, developing infrastructure, and the government's commitment to supporting investment and improving the business climate.

He explained that this partnership reflects the group's commitment to expanding the Chuck E. Cheese brand across the region, focusing on delivering a comprehensive entertainment experience that meets the highest operational standards and aligns with the aspirations of the Egyptian market. He mentioned that the expansion plan aims to launch a full network of branches across the Republic in the coming years.

He added that this collaboration represents a successful model for joint Arab partnerships that enhance economic integration between countries and support inter-investment flows. He stressed that the project marks the beginning of a long-term investment path in Egypt, built on confidence in the market's potential. It is expected to be a launchpad for more specialized investments in the entertainment and services sectors, further solidifying Egypt's position as an attractive regional hub for investment and entrepreneurship.