Egypt Industry Sectors

Egypt is one of few African economies with diverse industry sectors and minimal dependency on agricultural production. The steel industry dominates Egypt’s industry sectors. Other major sectors include automobile, construction and consumer goods.

Egypt is one of few African economies with diverse industry sectors and minimal dependency on agricultural production. The steel industry dominates Egypt’s industry sectors. Other major sectors include automobile, construction and consumer goods.

Egypt Industry Sectors: History

The Egyptian industry sectors were developed and diversified during early ancient times. Traditionally, agriculture was the primary source of employment. Majority of the population inhabited the Nile basin and were involved in agricultural production and agro-based industries.

Trade through the Suez Canal was another source of revenue for the Egyptian government. Providing the main access point to water transportation between Europe and Asia. Egypt’s economy used to depend heavily on trade through the Suez Canal. 

Major Egypt Industry Sectors

Some of the major Egyptian industry sectors are:

• Agriculture: Agriculture and allied activities remained a major sector for Egypt’s economy until the early 1990s. In 1960, the agriculture sector accounted for 87 percent of total export volumes. This declined to 35 percent in 1974 and further to 11 percent by 2001. According to the 2010 statistics, agriculture provides employment to 32 percent of the working population and contributes 13 percent to national production. 

• Automobile: Egypt has a well developed automobile industry. El Nasr Automotive Manufacturing Company is central to the industry. It’s a state owned company that manufactures automobiles under license from many leading brands, such as Chrysler LLC, Peugeot and Kia. Other private players also compete for market share in Egypt’s automobile industry.

• Consumer electronics: Egypt is one of the few African economies that has a domestic appliances manufacturing sector. Olympia Group is the leading manufacturer of domestic goods in the country. Bahgat Group is another major brand in the Egyptian market.  

• Steel: Egypt has the largest steel industry in Africa and the Middle East. EZDK is the biggest producer of steel in the region. 

• Construction sector: The construction sector in Egypt boomed during the late 1990s and continued to support the economy till the mid 2000s. Orascom Construction Industries is the largest construction contractor in Egypt.

 

The information technology (IT) sector in Egypt is also gradually developing and picking up. Some of the more prominent Egyptian IT companies provide conduction outsourcing work for the US and EU countries.