Egypt's healthcare sector is surging — a $5 billion pharma market growing at 3x the regional average, a tenfold increase in health spending to EGP 406 billion, MENA's largest drug manufacturing base going deeper into oncology, and a national digital health strategy through 2029. Here's the full pict
Healthcare Overview: The Egyptian Market in 2026 — Pharma, Policy, and Digital Transformation
By Laura McConaughey
Category: Healthcare Market Research
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Egypt's pharmaceutical market?
Egypt's pharmaceutical market is valued at approximately $5 billion (EGP 307 billion in 2024 revenue), making it the second-largest in the Middle East and Africa by value and the largest by volume. The market grew 42% year-on-year in 2024 and is projected to continue at a CAGR of over 7% through 2027.
What percentage of drugs does Egypt manufacture locally?
Egyptian pharmaceutical companies manufacture 91% of domestic demand locally. The country operates the largest drug manufacturing base in MENA, representing nearly 30% of the regional market. Approximately 70% of production consists of generic medicines, though nearly all active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are still imported.
What is Egypt's Universal Health Insurance System?
The Universal Health Insurance System (UHIS), launched in 2018, aims to provide equitable healthcare access to Egypt's entire 100+ million population. As of 2026, it covers approximately 6 million residents across six governorates. The UHIA recently approved its first anti-fraud policy and a 2026 governance plan, with cooperation agreements with the WHO and Ministry of Finance.
How much is Egypt investing in healthcare infrastructure?
Egypt allocated EGP 406 billion to the health sector in 2025 — a tenfold increase from EGP 34 billion in 2013. The country operates approximately 2,000 hospitals and 5,400 primary healthcare units, with plans to add 2,650 hospital beds and expand specialized medical cities across 11 governorates.
What is Egypt's digital health strategy?
Egypt unveiled a comprehensive 2025-2029 Digital Health Strategy as part of Vision 2030, encompassing AI diagnostics, mobile health platforms, electronic health records, and wearable device integration. Major private investment is following, with WHM considering a $1.8 billion commitment to Egypt's healthcare sector.