Egypt's e-commerce will grow, albeit slower than hoped

Subject

Egyptian e-commerce.

Significance

The past decade has seen a rapid rise in the number of internet users in Egypt. The country now has the largest number of internet users in the Arab world. Cairo plans to benefit economically from a growing technologically-aware population by promoting e-commerce, and last April announced its intention to double the number of businesses selling products online by 2020.

Impacts

• The government will scale up public investment in roads and technological infrastructure, facilitating online retail.
• The growth of online retailing will generate more profit for the banking sector.
• E-commerce may aid a transition away from cash dependency, which could reduce the size of the informal sector and increase tax revenue.