- Radwan: Egypt retains its status among “Emerging markets” due to the positive rapid developments happening in the Egyptian market
- The decision reinforces trust of international financial institutions in the Egyptian economy and its ability to attract foreign flows
In a new positive development for the Egyptian market, S&P Dow Jones indices announced Egypt will continue to be classified among emerging markets after concluding consultations of institutions regarding classification of countries stock markets for year 2026.
S&P Dow Jones Indices institution sent formal notification to the Egyptian Exchange stating that after concluding consultations regarding Egypt’s classification of stock markets for year 2026, Egypt will not be re-classified and will remain among the emerging markets.
Mr. Omar Radwan, EGX Executive Chairman, emphasized that Egypt’s keeping its classification among the emerging markets reinforces the strength of the Egyptian market and its development. He credited this to integrated institutional work in coordination with the various components of the economic and financial system including: Prime Minister, Economic Ministerial Group, Central Bank of Egypt, Financial Regulatory Authority, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade and all its entities, in addition to the different relevant authorities, institutions and parties of the financial market.
Radwan thanked all the local and international entities and institutions that participated in the consultations based on the communication of EGX’s management, which didn’t hesitate to highlight the strengths and rapid positive developments witnessed by the Egyptian economy.
In this context, EGX Executive Chairman praised the role of his Excellency Prime Minister, Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, and the economic ministerial group. In addition to the growing positive developments in the Egyptian market under the leadership of Dr. Islam Azzam, Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority.
EGX Executive Chairman added that the results of S&P Dow Jones Indices consultations clearly highlight the rapid achievements that Egypt is making to improve the investment environment. He pointed out that continuing classification of Egypt among emerging markets reinforces the importance of the developments that the market witnessed, in addition to resilience of the Egyptian economy and its ability to deal with regional and international changes and challenges.
Radwan clarified that the development and reform program that the financial market is witnessing not merely aiming to keep the current classification, but also improving the market and enhancing its ability to reach higher ranking and advanced classifications in the future.
EGX Executive Chairman added that keeping the classification reflects the success of the coordination channels between EGX management and parties of the financial market and relevant institutions in reviewing the continuous development of the trading structure and updating market mechanisms, including activating modern financial tools and enhancing efficiency of mechanisms of foreign investors to enter and exit.
Radwan said that: “EGX management emphasizes Egypt’s maintained classification as emerging market enhances trust of international financial institutions in the depth and strength of the Egyptian market, supporting its ability to attract more foreign flows. We also confirm our commitment to continue on the path of institutional development to facilitate market’s accessibility, increase its depth and liquidity, expand investor’s base, introduce products and services, as well as improve efficiency of the technological and operational infrastructure.
EGX Executive Chairman highlighted that EGX will continue to work in coordination with the relevant authorities, international institutions and global investors, stating: “We have a clear agenda to further develop the Egyptian market, enhance its competitiveness regionally and internationally. We will keep direct constructive dialogue with international indices institutions and global investors benefiting from their remarks and expertise, not just to keep our position among emerging markets, but also to achieve a more efficient and deep market capable of attracting local and foreign investments.
Egypt’s continued classification as emerging market comes amidst significant developments in the Egyptian financial market led by the Financial Regulatory Authority. The most prominent of which is: launching derivatives market, activating short selling, expanding digital transformation, developing market’s technological infrastructure, providing new services and products for investors, besides the ongoing improvement of trading mechanisms and enhancing efficiency of the market and its liquidity.
EGX also continues developing the disclosure system and information accessibility, enhancing digital transformation, developing products and services aligning with the best international practices, in parallel to working on developing sustainable finance and environmental markets, supporting diversity of investor’s base and expanding range of investment opportunities in the Egyptian market.
At the beginning of June 2026, S&P Dow Jones Indices proposed, in a consultation document of reviewing country classification for year 2026, down ranking Egypt from an “emerging market” to “frontier market” with a proposed implementation date — if approved — with index reviewing in September 2027.
The institution opened receiving opinions and remarks of investment community and participants until July 31, 2026, aiming to assess market desires and preferences before the final decision.
S&P Dow Jones Indices is considered one on the largest global sources of index-based data and research. Also it includes a group of the most prominent financial indices in the markets such as: S&P500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average.
