Arab Finance: In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Egypt has experienced a significant acceleration in the adoption of digital tools and online learning platforms across its education system. So, Arab Finance interviewed Dalia Ibrahim, CEO of Nahdet Misr and Founder of EdVentures, to explore this transformative shift.

As a pioneer in the Egyptian publishing industry, Nahdet Misr has seamlessly transitioned from traditional print to innovative digital learning solutions. This conversation explores the company’s strategies, challenges, and aspirations, shaping the future of education in Egypt and beyond.

1. Nahdet Misr has a long and rich history in the Egyptian publishing industry. What are the company's core values and mission that have guided its success over the years?

Nahdet Misr has a vibrant 86-year history as a pioneer in the Egyptian publishing industry, with its core values and mission guiding the company's enduring success. At the heart of Nahdet Misr's approach is a steadfast belief in the transformative power of knowledge in shaping societies and driving progress.

The company's mission is to empower individuals by providing valuable education, knowledge, and skills, fostering continuous development and growth. This conviction lies at the core of Nahdet Misr's publishing philosophy, as it is dedicated to disseminating knowledge across diverse fields through its cultural books, educational content, and innovative learning solutions.

Embracing innovation has been a hallmark of Nahdet Misr's strategy, as the company stays at the forefront of advancements in publishing and education technology.

To achieve its mission, Nahdet Misr offers thousands of cultural books, both printed and digital, spanning all genres and featuring renowned authors, intellects, historians, and public figures.

The company places a strong emphasis on children's books, nurturing a love for reading from an early age and instilling positive behaviors in young minds.

Nahdet Misr's dedication to excellence in children's literature is reflected in the 66 international and national awards it has received. Moreover, the company's educational series and applications cater to students, teachers, and parents, providing an enhanced learning experience.

As Nahdet Misr moves forward, it remains steadfast in its commitment to its guiding philosophy, resolute in continuing its legacy of excellence and shaping a brighter future through the dissemination of knowledge and the fostering of a more enlightened society.

2. The educational landscape is constantly evolving. How does Nahdet Misr stay innovative and relevant with these changes?

Nahdet Misr has shown a remarkable ability to adapt to the evolving educational landscape by prioritizing digital learning technologies. Their approach is centered on student needs, consistently integrating the latest innovations to enhance the educational experience.

As a leader in digital education, Nahdet Misr established Nahdet Digital Solutions in 1998, launching significant platforms like the Al Adwaa website in 2001, which became one of the largest online educational resources during the early digitization phase.

In 2016, the company expanded its digital learning capabilities by forming a large team in the MENA region, allowing it to lead several key projects, including the digitization of K–12 national curricula.

Since 2018, Nahdet Misr has developed over 25,000 interactive learning objects for 120 subjects, accessible on the Egyptian Knowledge Bank.

Additionally, in partnership with the Ministry of State for Emigration and Egyptian Expatriate Affairs, Nahdet Misr created the "Speak Arabic" app, aimed at helping Egyptians and Arabs abroad learn their language through interactive features.

The company also offers various mobile applications, such as the "Al Adwaa" app, which provides extensive digital content and assessments, and two apps, "Qessatie" and "Rehlatie," designed for young learners aged 3 to 11.

Nahdet Misr collaborates with governments and NGOs across Africa and the MENA region on numerous digital educational projects, including training courses for the Saudi Ministry of Tourism and curriculum digitization in Sudan.

To further foster innovation in EdTech on a larger scale, Nahdet Misr launched its investment arm, EdVentures, in 2017. By doing so, the company became the first EdTech-specialized corporate venture capital firm in the MENA region.

3. What are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities that Nahdet Misr sees in the Egyptian publishing industry?

The Egyptian publishing industry faces a range of challenges stemming from the country's broader economic landscape.

Chief among these is the issue of economic volatility, currency fluctuations, and inflationary pressures, which have a substantial impact on the costs incurred by publishers, particularly in areas such as paper, printing, and distribution.

This financial burden does not solely affect the publishers but also cascades down to the end consumers, as the rising costs of producing and procuring published materials diminish the purchasing power of readers.

Additionally, the prevalence of pirated and unauthorized distribution of cultural and educational books in Egypt presents an ongoing challenge for the company as it seeks to protect its intellectual property.

Perhaps the most significant challenge, however, is the rapid shift towards digital content and e-books, which pose a disruption to traditional printed books. However, Nahdet Misr has recognized this shift as both a challenge and an opportunity, as the company has already capitalized on the demand for digital resources.

On the opportunity side, Nahdet Misr's deep experience and expertise in the education sector position it well to integrate educational technology (EdTech) solutions and develop innovative digital tools and platforms. This is an area of significant growth potential, both within Egypt and across the broader MENA region.

Furthermore, as an Arabic-focused publisher, Nahdet Misr is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for effective Arabic learning solutions.

With over 50 years of experience producing printed Arabic language learning materials, the company has recently expanded its offerings to include mobile applications that provide a simple and engaging approach to learning the language, catering to learners across Africa and the MENA region.

Nahdet Misr recognizes the value of strategic partnerships and collaborations, both with international publishers and EdTech startups. By forging these partnerships, the company can leverage its complementary strengths and expand its reach, further solidifying its position in the publishing and education industries in MENA and Africa.

4. Nahdet Misr is a large and diversified group. Can you elaborate on the different businesses and sectors that the company operates in?

Nahdet Misr is a diversified group with a core focus on driving educational advancement and human capital development in Egypt and the MENA region.

The company's origins can be traced to a modest publishing and printing house. It has grown to become one of the leading learning and capability-building companies in the MENA region.

Nahdet Misr operates through its eight subsidiaries, offering a diverse range of solutions that cater to the evolving needs of the education sector. These solutions include: curricula development, professional development programs for educators, capability-building initiatives, digital learning, vocational education, investments in EdTech startups, and publishing of cultural books and magazines

5. Can you describe the niche or market gap that Edventures aims to fill in the education sector?

EdVentures, the investment arm of Nahdet Misr, is considered the MENA region's first Edtech-specialized corporate venture capital.

Our primary goal is to further foster innovation in the education sector through empowering startups that can deliver accessible, engaging, and future-focused learning experiences, helping individuals thrive in our rapidly evolving world.

The company supports Edtech and education-focused startups through its diverse incubation, acceleration, and investment programs.

Since its launch in 2017, EdVentures has supported 77 startups, investing in 21. By fostering innovation in the Edtech sector across the MENA region, EdVentures aims to help these startups kick-start and expand their businesses.

EdVentures' support goes beyond financial investment, as it also offers startups technical knowledge, training programs, mentorship, networking opportunities, and assistance with expansion beyond Egypt.

The company carefully selects startups that address real gaps in the education sector, ensuring that the solutions they offer drive transformative change and have a tangible social and economic impact.

EdVentures’ portfolio encompasses a wide range of Edtech solutions, such as STEAM-based education programs with a focus on coding, online tutoring services, career advisory platforms, employability training programs, technology, and digital training initiatives, school learning management systems (LMS), vocational and technical training programs, and even solutions focused on women's empowerment.

Through its multifaceted approach, EdVentures is positioning itself as a crucial enabler of innovation and a catalyst for advancing education in the MENA region.

6. Can you share any specific initiatives or partnerships that Nahdet Misr is currently involved in to drive innovation and impact in education?

• EdVentures Expands Reach through MasterCard Foundation Partnership

To support an even larger number of Edtech startups, EdVentures has partnered with the MasterCard Foundation to launch the MasterCard Foundation Edtech Fellowship in Egypt. This five-year initiative aims to transform the African Edtech sector through digital innovation, inclusivity, and youth empowerment, promising a significant impact on Egypt's educational, IT, and economic landscapes.

Throughout this partnership, the program will support 36 Edtech startups—12 per year for the first three years, followed by a two-year post-program support period. The selected startups will receive an 8-month program comprising specialized training, mentorship, workshops, networking opportunities, and access to courses. Each startup will also receive $60,000 in equity-free funding.

• Enhancing vocational education

Nahdet Misr has also partnered with the Facility Investing for Employment (IFE) to launch "Ta'heal International Academy," the first-of-its-kind academy in Egypt. The academy will offer internationally accredited vocational and technical study programs and diplomas across 12+ specializations, including manufacturing, tourism, construction, and IT.

The academy will also provide vocational training programs to equip students with job-market-relevant skills, enhancing the efficiency of the Egyptian workforce. Its employment center will connect students and trainees with partner companies, facilitating practical employment opportunities upon graduation.

The new academy is expected to create 3,300 jobs in collaboration with committed hiring companies and is set to begin operations in 2025, further strengthening Egypt's vocational and technical education landscape.

7. How did Nahdet Misr assist the Egyptian government with its educational targets?

Nahdet Misr has played a pivotal role in assisting the Egyptian government in achieving its educational objectives, particularly in alignment with Egypt Vision 2030.

Since 2018, the company has been collaborating with the Ministry of Education and Technical Education to develop the new curricula for the New Education System (NES), encompassing Arabic language, religious studies, and morals curricula.

The primary goal of these new curricula is to equip students with essential 21st-century skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, collaboration, innovation, and creativity. This represents a significant shift towards preparing Egyptian students for the demands of the modern world.

For instance, the new Arabic language curriculum focuses on enhancing students' speaking and writing skills through an immersive, real-world learning approach rather than just theoretical grammar. The religious studies curriculum, covering both Islam and Christianity, emphasizes the practical application of ethical values aligned with students' lived experiences.

Nahdet Misr's contributions to this curriculum development process have been multifaceted. The company has defined the scope and sequence of the curricula, created and developed the content, designed textbooks tailored to each age group, and produced comprehensive teacher guides.

Nahdet Misr has also implemented professional development programs to train teachers on the new teaching methods and learning approaches.

Beyond the core curriculum, Nahdet Misr is at the forefront of digitizing Egypt's national curricula from grades 1 to 12, making a vast repository of interactive learning resources freely available through the Egyptian Knowledge Bank. This digital transformation empowers students to engage in self-directed learning and strengthen their skills.

Nahdet Misr remains committed to transforming the learning experience for students across the country, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the 21st century and align with Egypt Vision 2030.

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