Cairo, Egypt — AHK Egypt celebrated its 75th anniversary with a prestigious gala on Thursday, October 15, 2026, at the Giza Palace Hotel. The landmark celebration to commemorate the Chamber’s 75-year legacy and its significant contribution to strengthening economic relations between Egypt and Germany brought together 650 guests, including prominent figures from the German and Egyptian business communities, senior government officials, diplomatic representatives, distinguished members, and valued partners.
Held under the theme “A Journey Through Time,” the evening reflected on the AHK` longstanding role in fostering German-Egyptian economic cooperation, supporting businesses operating in both markets, and facilitating trade, investment, and strategic partnerships between the two countries. Guests were welcomed to an evening of networking, reconnecting with fellow members and partners, and capturing memorable moments through commemorative photo opportunities.
The official program commenced with welcome remarks by AHK CEO Maren Diale-Schellschmidt, followed by the screening of a special anniversary film highlighting key milestones from the Chamber’s 75-year history. The evening featured speeches by Mostafa El-Bagoury, President of AHK Egypt; H.E. Jürgen Schulz, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Egypt; and Kirsten Schoder-Steinmüller, Vice President of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK).
The celebration also paid tribute to the partners and sponsors whose generous support contributed to the success of this milestone event.
Entertainment was an integral part of the evening, with a series of captivating performances adding a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere to the occasion.
A special recognition ceremony honoured former Presidents, Vice Presidents, and longstanding members who have maintained their membership with the Chamber for more than 25 and 50 years, acknowledging their dedication and invaluable contributions to AHK Egypt's journey.
The recognition segment celebrated the continuity and strength of the AHK Egypt community while also acknowledging the Chamber’s current Board. Certificates and commemorative coins were presented as tokens of appreciation to the individuals and organisations whose commitment and engagement have helped shape the Chamber over the decades.
The 75th Anniversary Gala was more than a celebration of AHK Egypt’s rich history. It was a testament to the enduring strength of German-Egyptian economic relations and the Chamber’s continued commitment to fostering business cooperation, meaningful dialogue, and sustainable partnerships between the two countries.
AHK Egypt extends its sincere appreciation to its valued sponsors for their generous support in making this milestone celebration a success:
- Diamond Sponsor: CIB Egypt
- Gala Automotive Sponsor: Mercedes-Benz Egypt
- Gold Sponsors: Kippis (Snackland Egypt & KSA), Electro-Mechanic for Energy (EME), Robust ICT, and EDECS
- Hotel of the Year: Giza Palace Hotel & Spa
Their invaluable support and partnership played a significant role in bringing this landmark celebration to life and making it a truly memorable occasion for the entire AHK Egypt community.
To the next 75 years of AHK Egypt!
Sponsored By:
CIB Bank:
CIB is the leading private-sector bank in Egypt, offering a broad range of financial products and services to its customers, which include more than 500 of Egypt’s largest corporations, enterprises of all sizes, institutions, and households. CIB’s strong brand and growth in retail and SME banking segments continues to introduce new customers to the bank. As a result, CIB has succeeded in becoming the most profitable private sector Bank operating in Egypt.
The Bank was founded in 1975 as Chase National Bank, a joint venture between Chase Manhattan Bank and the National Bank of Egypt (NBE). In 1987, Chase divested its stake to NBE, who renamed the former joint venture Commercial International Bank.
Over time, NBE’s ownership in CIB declined, and in 2006 a consortium led by Ripplewood Holdings acquired NBE’s remaining 19%. In 2009, Actis, a Pan-African private equity firm specializing in emerging markets, acquired 50% of Ripplewood Consortium’s stake and became CIB's single largest shareholder, with a 9.06% stake.
The emergence of Actis as CIB's predominant shareholder marked a key transition in the bank’s strategic relationships. In March 2014, Actis divested 2.6% of its stake in CIB on the open market, maintaining its seat on the board, and in May of that year, sold its remaining stake to several wholly-owned subsidiaries of Fairfax Financial Holdings. Fairfax Financial Holdings owns through its wholly-owned subsidiaries a total of 6.55% of CIB’s shares. In April 2022, Alpha Oryx Ltd acquired 18.595% of CIB.
Mercedes-Benz
With 140 years of innovation, Mercedes-Benz continues to lead the way in automotive excellence and redefine the future of mobility. The journey began in 1886, when Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile, laying the foundation for an industry that would transform the world. Since then, Mercedes-Benz has consistently pushed the boundaries of engineering and design, introducing groundbreaking advancements in technology, safety, comfort and performance. From the invention of the automobile to today's intelligent, connected and electric vehicles, the brand's history is a testament to its relentless pursuit of excellence and its commitment to creating the world's most desirable cars. In 2026, Mercedes-Benz celebrates this remarkable milestone with a year-long global celebration under the theme of “140 Years of Innovation.” A key highlight is the “140 Years. 140 Places.” journey, where three S-Class vehicles travelled more than 50,000 kilometers across six continents, visiting 140 iconic locations and celebrating the brand's pioneering legacy with customers and fans worldwide.
Mercedes-Benz Egypt celebrated the 140-year legacy throughout the year with a series of exclusive, customer-focused initiatives that brought the spirit of innovation closer to customers across Egypt. At the heart of these celebrations was the introduction of the 140 Years of Innovation Edition across selected models, including the C 180, E 200, GLC 200 SUV and GLC 200 Coupé. These specially curated editions offered enhanced specifications, exceptional value and attractive pricing, making the Mercedes-Benz experience even more compelling. Customers could also explore the exclusive editions, specifications, availability and pricing through the Mercedes-Benz Egypt Online Store. Extending the celebration beyond the showroom, Mercedes-Benz Egypt also introduced a special anniversary service campaign for customers approaching the 140,000 km milestone, offering an exclusive 14% discount on selected routine service parts at participating authorized service centers. Through these initiatives, Mercedes-Benz Egypt celebrated not only 140 years of automotive innovation, but also the lasting relationships, memorable journeys and ownership experiences that continue to define the brand for its customers.
