Egypt has faced economic challenges over the past two years, shifting consumer focus to essentials. Omar Elsahy, General Manager of Amazon Egypt, announced an expansion of storage capacity beyond 100,000 cubic meters to meet rising demand for high-quality local products.
Egypt has navigated one of its toughest economic phases in recent history over the last two years, marked by soaring inflation and currency fluctuations that have steered households toward essential purchases like food and basic household items. Omar Elsahy, General Manager of Amazon Egypt, highlighted how this change is evident in shopping patterns on Amazon.eg. “Demand for essential goods... has grown tremendously,” Elsahy told Daily News Egypt. “Our priority was to strengthen our presence in these categories to ensure that Egyptian families could access the essentials they rely on every day.”
Parallel to this, a notable surge in locally made products has emerged, with Egyptian producers ramping up output in areas such as clothing, home furnishings, and personal accessories, delivering quality at affordable prices. “The rise of local manufacturing has been transformative for Egyptian e-commerce,” Elsahy said. “Customers are increasingly choosing local products not just for price, but for quality and uniqueness. Supporting these entrepreneurs is part of Amazon’s DNA... When local sellers succeed, customers get better selection, communities flourish, and the digital economy grows stronger.”
Elsahy disclosed that Amazon's storage capacity in Egypt now exceeds 100,000 cubic meters, encompassing primary fulfillment centers in 10th of Ramadan City and along Suez Road, bolstered by partner-operated sites. A recent addition provides space akin to ten soccer fields, signaling sustained investment in digital infrastructure. These moves form a strategic plan for growth over the coming three years, drawing on Egypt's advances in financial inclusion, logistics, and digital economy.
Since entering Egypt in 2021, Amazon has deepened ties with authorities, including a April meeting between the Prime Minister and Amazon's global CEO to align expansions with national digital and inclusion goals. “Government support has been crucial,” Elsahy noted, aiding licensing and operations. Partnerships with commerce chambers and SME initiatives have onboarded hundreds of local factories into the platform.
On payments, collaborations with Valu and banks offer flexible options like zero-interest installments and buy-now-pay-later during events such as White Friday. Despite volatility, Elsahy is upbeat: “Egypt has tremendous potential, with strong customer demand across many categories.”