As a research manager, one of my duties is to hire new team members every now and then. Hiring fresh graduates is much easier than finding experienced candidates.  However, an even more hectic challenge than finding a senior-level caliber is investing time, knowledge, and energy in juniors, then losing them to one of the latest headhunting waves.

I totally support the growth of my team members. It is not just about joining another corporate for a better package; it is about leaving Egypt altogether for a better career path and economic conditions. While I am eager to see my country thrive, it is discouraging to see the talented ones leave. 

Here is a repetitive scenario that I have been through many times recently. Out of over 200 applications for a junior-level vacancy, I shortlist one super talented candidate. I teach them all I know, watch them grow rapidly, and within a couple of years, they leave Egypt. If they resigned to join another corporate in Egypt, there would not be any issue. The thing is, they leave the country, often with no intentions of coming back again.

Maybe I am getting older, or maybe challenges are getting harder and bigger than ever. I would never blame anyone for leaving, as I am not in their shoes. A couple of years ago, we had already lost many of the most talented people in my age group and field of specialization. Some of them shifted careers entirely and migrated, while others left Egypt seeking financial security in another country.

In recent weeks, I have learned that other talented people are also leaving, people I never thought would leave Egypt under any circumstances. I wish them all the best of luck because they all deserve it. Yet, this raises countless questions in my mind. Will I be forced to leave someday too?

From a macroeconomic point of view, remittances from Egyptians abroad are one of the main hard currency sources. In May, remittances grew by 73.8% year-on-year (YoY) to about $2.7 billion, marking the third consecutive month of growth. Yet, nobody is talking about the impact of the brain drain on economic growth.

Egypt aims to increase remittances by an average of 10% between 2024 and 2030, with a target of $53 billion by 2030, according to a document published by the Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC). To reach this goal, the government is willing to boost labor exports.

I do not mind Egypt becoming a global leader in terms of remittances, like India or other countries. I just want the country to have a look at the microscale and make sure not all calibers are leaving. If all talented individuals left, nobody would remain to teach and train the new generations in specific fields. This brain drain could impact Egypt’s economic growth. Finally, I have a question for you: if you were offered a good opportunity abroad, would you leave too?