The Official Gazette published Presidential Decree No. 575 of 2025 on October 11, 2025, concerning the appointment of 100 individuals as members of the Egyptian Senate. One of the most prominent names among the appointees is Sahar Nasr.
Born in 1969, Nasr studied Economics at the American University in Cairo (AUC), graduating in 1985 with the highest honors (Bachelor’s degree), and later earned her Master’s in Economics in 1990.
A career defined by economics and reform
Nasr is widely regarded as one of the most distinguished economists in Egypt and globally. After receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from AUC, she obtained her Ph.D. from the Faculty of Economics and Political Science at Cairo University in 2002.
Nasr launched her career at the World Bank, where she served as a lead economist in the finance and private sector division for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. She also held the position of Regional Program Manager for the Small and Medium Enterprise Finance Fund in the same region.
In 2015, she was appointed Minister of International Cooperation, and in 2017, she became the Minister of Investment and International Cooperation. In this role, she played a pivotal part in formulating and implementing Egypt’s economic reform program. That same year, Forbes magazine named her among the 10 most powerful women in the government sector in the Arab world.
Nasr also served as a Professor of Economics at AUC’s School of Business and has lectured at several prestigious universities.
Furthermore, she was a member of the Economic Development Advisory Council under the Presidency.
In March 2024, she was appointed Secretary for Investment and Economic Affairs for the National Front Party, continuing her efforts to support economic and developmental policies.
Her official inclusion in the Senate today adds her to the list of appointees chosen for their expertise and high competence.
