engazaat — Powering the Water-Energy-Food Nexus AcrossMEA

Financing, developing, and operating integrated clean energy,water, and agricultural solutions across the Middle East and Africa.

Since 2011, we've built the region's first dedicatedWater-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus platform.

Our Vision

To become the leading WEF Nexus infrastructure platform in Egypt and the MEA region, making sustainable energy, water, and food universally accessible.

Our Mission

To design, finance, build, own, and operate solar and water infrastructure as a fully managed service, removing capital and operational barriers, eliminating fossil-fuel dependency, and delivering measurable environmental and social impact at scale.

OUR HISTORY

1980

Demerdash Group Is Founded

Building on the founders' business experience in Egypt and Italy, Demerdash Group was formed to connect Egypt to Italy and Europe — bringing the Egyptian market the latest industrial EPC solutions, trade, and distribution expertise from European markets, customized to local business needs.
2011

engazaat Is Founded

Leveraging the co-founders' backgrounds in ICT and infrastructure development, engazaat was established to tech-enable the infrastructure business and address Egypt's most pressing challenges through digital transformation and automation.
2014

engazaat Branches Into Renewable Energy

Responding to Egypt's power under-supply and inconsistent electricity access, engazaat launched a renewable energy vertical — bringing the Egyptian market high-tech, economically viable renewable energy solutions.
2016

engazaat Ventures Into Water Solutions

engazaat established a dedicated water solutions unit, including green desalination and water treatment systems — becoming a full-scale renewables-based utility developer, implementer, and operator in Egypt.
2018

engazaat-Agro (S.A.E) Subsidiary Formed

Focused on developing green, sustainable, and productive agricultural communities in Egypt, engazaat-Agro harnesses technology, water solutions, and renewable energy to give small and medium farmers the infrastructure they need to grow and thrive.
2020

Enabling Sustainable Water and Energy "As aService"

For the first time in the MEA region, engazaat structured its offering to deliver renewable energy and water infrastructure as a service — on an Independent Power and Water Producer (IPWP) basis, with a "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) model — removing CAPEX and operational burdens to accelerate mainstream technology adoption.
2021

Launched Ibsar Foundation

Ibsar Foundation microfinances knowledge, water, and renewable energy access for underserved communities, as part of the group's developmental program.
2022

Expanding Into the MEA Region

engazaat began developments in Sudan, Lebanon, and Libya.

MEET OUR TEAM

The talented people behind Engazaat

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin

Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin

Honorary Non-Executive Chairman

Economist with 30+ years in international finance and development. Currently serves as UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda (leading a UN expert group on the debt crisis); UN SDSN Leadership Council member (since March 2025); WEF Co-Chair of the Global Future Council on the Business of Economic Growth; and Global Ambassador for the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns.

Previously: UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP27; IMF Executive Director (Nov 2020–2024); World Bank Senior VP for the 2030 Agenda, UN Relations & Partnerships (2010–2020); and Egypt’s first Minister of Investment (2004–2010).

Roger Taylor

Roger Taylor

Advisory Board Member

Graduate of Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand) — BCom Accountancy, MBA (Distinction). Over 40 years of business and consulting expertise across Oceania, European, and Middle Eastern markets, spanning infrastructure and electricity, including renewable energy. Career includes senior leadership
roles in large organizations and running his own boutique consulting business,
with a focus on interpreting emerging market patterns.

Antoine Poussard

Antoine Poussard

Advisory Board Member

Graduate of Dauphine University and ESTP (Paris), holding an MSc in Finance and a civil engineering degree focused on utilities and large infrastructure. Approximately 20 years of investment banking experience in renewable energy and utilities, spanning acquisitions, joint ventures, and equity and debt capital raises, including complex hybrid structures. Previously held roles at The Royal Bank of Scotland and Finnergreen.

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Muhammad El Demerdash

Muhammad El Demerdash

Co-Founder & CEO | WEF Nexus Strategy and Entrepreneurship

Co-founded engazaat in 2011, building it without external funding into MENA's pioneering WEF Nexus infrastructure platform, USD 30M deployed, with a USD 250M active pipeline across Egypt, the UAE, and Lebanon. Developed the SAVE Business Model, a first-of-its-kind Sustainable Agriculture-as-a-Service framework, operationalizing 63+ MW of solar capacity and managing 15+ million cubic meters of water annually. 21 years of professional experience across local and multinational companies, with a track record managing a portfolio exceeding USD 60M in digital infrastructure development. Recognized with the Egypt COP27 National Initiative for Smart Green Governorates Award (ranking among the top two presidential awards selected from 6,300+ projects across 27 governorates), the 2023 MENA Stevie Gold Prize, the 2025 EEA Disruptive Duo Award, and the 2025 Solar Icons Outstanding Leadership Award.
Khaled El Demerdash

Khaled El Demerdash

Co-Founder & Co-CEO | Smart Infrastructure and Technology

Technology executive and social entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience in smart infrastructure, ICT, and renewable energy across Egypt and the MEA region. BSc Computer Science, The American University in Cairo. Has led delivery of complex digital and clean infrastructure projects for private and public sector clients across the region, and has been instrumental in shaping engazaat's vision as a total smart-solutions provider and Independent Power and Water Producer (IPWP).
Omar El Demerdash

Omar El Demerdash

Co-Founder & Chief Development Officer (CDO) | Data Science and market strategy

Graduate of The American University in Cairo, with a specialization in Data Science and Machine Learning from MIT. Over 18 years of experience in research, market strategy, and data-driven decision support across Egypt and the GCC, advising blue-chip clients including the World Bank Group, PIF, and NEOM, and multiple government ministries. Designed and delivered the sustainability track of the Techne Corporate Innovation Program, and leads R&D in AgriTech, precision agriculture, smart water management, and the green transition at engazaat.
Dina Kafafi

Dina Kafafi

Regional COO | International Development & Program Management

Over 20 years of experience in program management, partner relations, and communications. BA from the University of Toronto, MBA in Global Management. Has delivered multi-stakeholder programs with government institutions and international organizations including MIT, GE, Pathfinder International, Chemonics, Creative Associates, General Dynamics Network Systems, and Nathan Associates.
Zeinab Abdalla

Zeinab Abdalla

Chief Strategy Officer & Head of Project Financing | Corporate finance

Over 14 years at the intersection of sovereign finance, institutional investment, and project financing. MSc Quantitative Finance, Cass Business School, London. Spent 9 years at Fitch Ratings (Dubai) as Country Director for Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and Iraq, followed by 3 years as Strategy Manager at The Sovereign Fund of Egypt, before joining engazaat in 2024.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Dr. Essam Shaaban

Dr. Essam Shaaban

Managing Director, engazaat Agro | Agri-Technical Expert

Full-time faculty at The American University in Cairo's Institute of Global Health and Human Ecology. MSc and PhD from the Agricultural University of Athens, specialized in renewable energy, water economics, and desalination in rural applications. Has led EU- and nationally-funded R&D across bioenergy, solar-powered water pumping, and energy efficiency, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Short-term energy and water expert and consultant at GIZ (Germany) and HCL LTD (Cyprus), advising the Government of Lesotho and the Cypriot Ministry of Agriculture on rural development and agricultural energy efficiency.
Ali Ghaleb

Ali Ghaleb

Director of Project Development | Electrical engineering and Oil and Gas

Electrical engineer with 14+ years in the energy sector, primarily with multinational Oil & Gas service companies. Career spans applications engineering, technical sales, remote surveillance, and data-driven performance optimization, including leading teams that delivered multimillion-dollar artificial-lift pumping systems and building financial models and automated workflows.