Business Bil Arabi Founder Ahmed Rashad: Small Businesses Hold the Key to Economic Future, Despite Obstacles

Ahmed Rashad is a prominent figure in business development, spreading management knowledge and entrepreneurship in Arabic. He founded "Business Bil Arabi," a platform that quickly became a go-to source for management, economic, and entrepreneurial content for thousands of interested individuals and entrepreneurs in Egypt and the wider Arab region. Rashad brings diverse professional experience in strategy, change management, and business development, gained from working with multinational and family-owned companies in Egypt and the United States. He also serves as an executive consultant and coach for leaders and managers, with a special focus on supporting startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

"Business Bil Arabi": A Platform for Spreading Economic and Entrepreneurial Knowledge

Ahmed Rashad launched "Business Bil Arabi" in 2019 to fill a gap in Arabic content focused on management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. His goal was to offer practical knowledge in simple language, suitable for business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals. In just a few years, the platform grew to include various programs, podcasts, and specialized discussions on management, leadership, business development, and startups. It successfully reached over 3 million listeners in nearly 100 countries worldwide, garnered almost 9 million views on YouTube, and published more than 300 specialized articles on management, business, and corporate entrepreneurship.

Initiatives to Support the Business Community

Beyond just sharing knowledge, Rashad also spearheads several initiatives and events aimed at supporting the business community and connecting entrepreneurs with decision-makers, investors, and support organizations. Key among these are the "Leaders Forum" and the "SMEs Summit." These events aim to foster dialogue between the private sector, government, and entrepreneurs, building bridges that help develop the business environment and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in Egypt and the region.

A Report Tracking the Reality of SMEs in Egypt

During the "SMEs Summit," Ahmed Rashad unveiled the findings of a comprehensive report on the state of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises in Egypt. He explained that the report was created in response to real challenges, particularly the difficulty in accessing accurate data for this vital sector. He noted that the team collaborated with several public and private institutions to build a more comprehensive and precise database. These partners included Commercial International Bank (CIB), Thndr platform, Mastercard, the SME Development Authority, and various specialized consulting firms.

3 Million Establishments, 90% of Them Micro-Enterprises

Rashad explained that the report's findings revealed approximately 3 million establishments operating in the Egyptian market. He highlighted that about 90% of these establishments employ fewer than 10 people, which really shows how significant micro-enterprises are within Egypt's economic structure. He added that the SME sector accounts for about 75% of Egypt's total workforce, yet nearly 80% of economic activity still operates outside the formal system. This underscores the size of the informal economy and its impact on the business and investment environment.

Funding and Expansion: Key Challenges

The founder of "Business Bil Arabi" confirmed that the study identified several major challenges facing SMEs, with difficulty accessing funding being a top concern. He explained that many financial institutions treat these businesses using standards meant for large corporations, imposing requirements and guarantees that don't fit the nature or size of SMEs. He also pointed out that infrastructure and supply chains present an additional challenge. Many businesses struggle to reach local and international markets due to limited logistics and distribution services, which impacts their ability to expand and grow. He further noted that some FinTech companies, despite their important role in supporting the sector, still offer financing solutions that are relatively high-cost. This can potentially trap some startups in debt cycles, affecting their business sustainability.

Gaps in Technical Education and Readiness for Growth

Rashad explained that the industrial sector faces another challenge: a gap between labor market needs and the output of technical education. This directly impacts the ability of factories and small businesses to grow and expand. He also mentioned that many startups lack the necessary management and financial expertise to understand expansion requirements or prepare for an IPO. This highlights the need for stronger support and training programs for these companies from government agencies and relevant institutions.

Building an Integrated Business Community

Rashad emphasized that the report's goal isn't just to present numbers and indicators. It also aims to raise awareness about the real challenges facing the sector and to build more effective communication channels between SMEs and supporting organizations. He revealed that "Business Bil Arabi" is currently working to establish a professional community of 150 to 200 SMEs. The goal is to boost cooperation, share expertise, connect these companies with market opportunities, and formulate practical recommendations to present to relevant authorities for improving the business environment.

From Awareness to Impact

Rashad noted that over the past few years, the platform has conducted more than 250 interviews with CEOs, investors, and entrepreneurs. The aim was to truly understand and practically analyze the real challenges facing the Egyptian market. He stressed that the upcoming phase marks a significant shift for "Business Bil Arabi." The platform is moving beyond its traditional role of spreading knowledge and awareness to a more impactful role: building an integrated business community and acting as a link between the private sector, government, and startups. This will help support the growth of SMEs and boost their contribution to the Egyptian economy.