Etisalat Egypt Prepares Child Protection Initiative in Minya While Expanding Support for Women’s Health Startups
Etisalat Egypt is expanding its efforts to promote entrepreneurship and women's empowerment through startup support programs, with a growing focus on healthcare innovation, alongside community initiatives designed to improve the living conditions of vulnerable families and protect children from hazardous work.
Mayar Naguib, Head of Corporate Communications, Public Relations and Sustainability at Etisalat Egypt, revealed that the Etisalat Egypt Foundation is preparing to launch a new initiative in Minya Governorate called “Safe Work To Save Life.” The project aims to reduce child labor in quarries by helping families establish alternative sources of income.
Speaking to Fintech Gate on the sidelines of the She Can Summit in Cairo, Naguib also highlighted the company's support for startups developing innovative solutions in healthcare and women's health through its “The Shift Innovation Challenge” program.
The Shift Innovation Challenge backs healthcare innovation
Naguib described the initiative as a year-round platform designed to support startups and help them develop their businesses. It is implemented by the Etisalat Egypt Foundation in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Flat6Labs and Etisalat Business, with the participation of the Norwegian Embassy.
The program brings together the partners' expertise through training, mentoring and advisory activities, delivered through a combination of online sessions and in-person events. Its objective is to help participating startups strengthen their business models and improve their readiness for investment.
Its areas of focus include HealthTech, artificial intelligence in healthcare, reproductive health, maternal and women's health, mental health and psychosocial support for young people, women and girls. It also covers SportsTech and solutions related to health and wellbeing.
The current phase places particular emphasis on startups working in women's health. Etisalat Business provides commercial and business development support, Flat6Labs handles implementation, while the Etisalat Egypt Foundation launches the program and coordinates the partnership.
Training and mentorship to prepare startups for investment
The program offers several support stages, including specialized workshops, training sessions, mentoring and access to experts and partners across the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
A training bootcamp held last week focused on practical and personal skills that help entrepreneurs manage and grow their projects. Participants also receive guidance on refining business models, testing product-market fit and improving their presentations to investors.
Another key objective is to strengthen startups' investment readiness by helping them prepare investment proposals and communicate their business opportunities more effectively, potentially improving their access to funding and growth partnerships.
Startup selection and investor showcase stages
The program is expected to conduct a project evaluation and selection process toward the end of the year, with a judging committee comprising representatives of the partners and experts from relevant sectors.
The process begins with a Selection Bootcamp, featuring workshops and expert mentoring to help founders improve their project presentations and address key business challenges. The bootcamp concludes with an assessment to identify startups qualified for the next stages.
Selected companies then move to the Innovation Challenge, where they work on refining their products, testing market fit and improving their business models before preparing to present their projects to investors from outside the program.
The Selection Committee includes representatives from UNFPA, Etisalat Egypt and Flat6Labs, alongside sector specialists. It will evaluate the participating projects and determine the final group of entrepreneurs invited to the concluding event.
The program will end with a Showcase Day, where startups present their ideas and progress to representatives of the partners, investors, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders in the startup ecosystem.
Participation requirements include having a qualified and committed founding team, with two to three members actively taking part in the program. At least one founder must also be based in the city where the program is conducted during the bootcamp and showcase preparation stages, demonstrating a clear commitment to maintaining a long-term presence in Egypt.
Encouraging women's participation in entrepreneurship
Naguib said Etisalat Egypt's participation in events focused on women's empowerment and entrepreneurship is intended to encourage women to develop their skills, explore new opportunities and gain experience in business.
She noted growing interest among women and girls in attending such events, acquiring knowledge and building connections with companies, institutions and experienced professionals.
She added that providing access to learning opportunities and professional networks is an important part of the company's approach to women's empowerment, helping participants strengthen their capabilities and expand their businesses.
Safe Work To Save Life targets child labor in Minya quarries
On the community development front, Naguib announced that the Etisalat Egypt Foundation is preparing to introduce “Safe Work To Save Life” in Minya in the near future.
The initiative is designed to address the economic pressures that lead some families to depend on their children's work in quarries, where children face significant health risks. Low household income and limited financial resources are among the factors contributing to this practice.
Under the project, beneficiary families will receive microfinance support to help parents establish income-generating activities and develop alternative livelihoods.
The initiative aims to improve household income and reduce families' reliance on children's work in quarries, helping protect children from the health hazards associated with these activities.
