Dr. Bahaa Salem, Group president of Al Salam Holding, affirmed that Egypt enjoys a strategic position that qualifies it to play a pivotal role in connecting Africa, the Middle East, and global markets.
Salem made these remarks during his participation in the Global Entrepreneurship Forum (GEF 2026 – Global Leadership Forum), held in Cairo under the auspices of Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly. The event brings together approximately 10,000 participants from more than 70 countries, alongside 200 investors and investment funds, over 60 international speakers, and more than 100 exhibitors.
Salem added that Egypt’s role is not limited to trade and investment, but also extends to building partnerships and exchanging expertise and knowledge, thereby enhancing opportunities for economic integration and opening new horizons for growth for companies and entrepreneurs
Africa… A Treasure Trove of Resources
The group president of Al Salam Holding noted that Africa represents one of the greatest opportunities available to the current generation of investors, emphasizing the need to view the continent as a strategic partner possessing a wealth of talent, entrepreneurs, resources, and promising potential, rather than merely a market awaiting an influx of investments.
He also added that the future of economic growth in Africa will mainly depend on strengthening cross-border partnerships, exchanging knowledge and expertise, transferring technology, and developing investment cooperation models that achieve mutual interests among different countries and markets.
He stressed that Al Salam Holding Group’s investment journey across six countries, particularly in the Egyptian market, has demonstrated that sustainable growth is not achieved merely by injecting investments, but rather through investing in people, developing local talent and competencies, building strong institutions, and creating opportunities that enable others to participate in growth and achieve success.
Al Salam Holding Group’s total investments in Egypt exceeded EGP 15 billion during the current year, with targets to increase them by 234% to reach EGP 50 billion over the next five years. This reflects the Group’s strong confidence in the Egyptian market and the diverse investment opportunities it offers.
Empowering People… A Fundamental Investment Objective
Despite these substantial investments, the president group of Al Salam Holding emphasized that genuine investment is not measured solely by the amount of capital injected into markets, but rather by its ability to empower people, develop local competencies, and create sustainable economic opportunities that enable individuals and companies to achieve growth and independence.
He added that the concept of giving in the business world should not be limited to charitable work or providing financial assistance. Instead, it should be based on empowerment through creating opportunities, building capabilities, and providing the tools that help individuals become more independent, productive, and capable of achieving success.
He stressed that corporate responsibility extends beyond generating financial returns to include creating genuine and sustainable value for the communities in which companies operate. This approach reflects the concept of “Shared Value Creation,” which is based on achieving economic growth alongside generating a positive and sustainable social impact, allowing companies to become part of a broader development ecosystem rather than merely entities focused on generating profits.
Business Leaders’ Responsibilities Extend Beyond Traditional Performance Indicators
Salem, who has led the Group since 2019 and spearheaded a comprehensive transformation of its vision, strategy, and operational processes, stressed that the responsibilities of business leaders should not be limited to traditional financial performance indicators, such as revenue, market share, and the number of companies. Instead, they should extend to include the number of jobs created, the entrepreneurs supported, the young people whose skills are developed, and the companies provided with genuine opportunities for growth and expansion.
He affirmed that true leadership does not mean being the most successful individual, but rather possessing the ability to help others achieve success. He considered that building companies capable of creating wealth must go hand in hand with developing human resources equipped with the knowledge and capabilities necessary to generate wealth and sustain growth.
Dr. Bahaa Salem concluded his remarks by emphasizing that empowering individuals not only improves people’s lives, but also extends its impact to communities and economies, contributing to shaping a more sustainable future for countries.
He stated:“Do not settle for building companies that create wealth; build companies that create people capable of creating wealth.”