Visiting Egypt had been on our minds for a long time, and for good reason. As one of the most vibrant and historically rich countries in the region, it holds immense potential for open-source and digital transformation. This wasn’t just a regular business trip; it was a long-awaited journey for Frappe into a community that had been growing steadily but hadn’t yet seen us on-ground.

After months of planning, Smital and I finally landed in Cairo on April 21st, ready to begin what would turn out to be one of the most meaningful trips of the year. As we drove through the streets of Cairo, I couldn’t help but think we should’ve done this sooner.

Cultural Exploration

We took the day to explore some of Egypt’s most iconic historical and cultural landmarks, starting with the Pyramids of Giza.

Standing before the Great Pyramid of Khufu was inspiring. Built over 4,500 years ago, this marvel originally stood at 146 meters tall. Today, it’s about 138 meters, as the original gold-capped stones at the top have been lost over time.

Right next to it is the Pyramid of Khafre, Khufu’s son. Slightly shorter at 136 meters, it still retains some of its original smooth white casing stones near the top, which gives it a striking appearance. The third, Pyramid of Menkaure, built for Khufu’s grandson, is smaller at about 65 meters but no less impressive.

Walking into one of the pyramids was a surreal experience the entrance was narrow and sloped, forcing us to bend as we made our way to the burial chamber. Though the coffin room now stands empty, the scale and structure of the pyramid left a lasting impression.

We also visited the Great Sphinx, a majestic statue with the body of a lion and the face believed to represent King Khafre. Seeing it up close was powerful photos don’t do justice to its scale and detail.

Later, we explored the vibrant Khan El Khalili market. It was a completely different kind of excitement. The place was bursting with color, energy, and that rich Arabic charm. From spices and lamps to local crafts and music, the vibe was unforgettable.

In the middle of our packed schedule, I got a special surprise as part of the partners hospitality, Instatech arranged a private visit to the Egyptian Museum Cairo (EMC) after hours. Although it closes at 4 PM, Instatech's GM Mahmoud, an archaeologist, made some calls and gave us a special 1-hour guided tour.

Walking through the museum felt magical. The quiet halls, and thousands of years of history around us it was peaceful and powerful at the same time. I saw golden masks, ancient papyrus, small tools, and statues that once stood in temples. The Tutankhamun Gallery was my favorite everything inside it looked so detailed and alive.

What really touched me was how everything was still standing strong after thousands of years. It made me think about how people, no matter which time they live in, always try to build something that lasts — something meaningful.

Frappe Community Meetup

Mina (Axentor) had informed us earlier that registrations had crossed 200, so the venue was upgraded from a small hall to an auditorium at Greek Campus (a startup hub in Cairo). The event had seven sponsors: Axentor, Smart Solutions, Lavaloon, Golive Solutions, ERPCloud Systems, Data Value, and Instatech.

A huge shoutout to Axentor and Smart teams took the lead in managing the event operations. I opened the meetup with an introduction, thanking the sponsors and sharing an update on the State of Frappe in the Middle East.

After our sessions, various partners and community members presented on topics such as partnerships, best implementation practices, Arabic localization, and Frappe Cloud. Most talks were in Arabic, so I was only able to follow parts of it, but spent the rest of the time networking with attendees.

The community turnout was incredible. People were excited to meet the Frappe team, share their experiences, and talk about their needs.

A Day at Ministry of Social Solidarity

We then visited the Ministry of Social Solidarity. Egypt is building an entirely new capital city where this ministry is located. We were connected through Mostafa Awamy, a passionate individual who has been involved in social work since his university days. He introduced us to Ahmed Saada, Associate Minister for Civil Society Support and Health Affairs.

Their goal is ambitious, to onboard 30,000 NGOs, government hospitals, schools, orphanages, and nonprofits in Egypt onto ERPNext and host it locally.

A Day at British University

British University in Egypt (BUE) - a massive, impressive campus. This visit was arranged thanks to the efforts of the Lavaloon team, who have been actively building connections there. They are currently in direct contact with Mrs. Nada and Mrs. Rihab from the university administration.

The occasion was the launch of the BIS (Business Information Systems) specialization within the Faculty of Business Administration, Economics, and Political Science. The event aimed to bridge business and technology, focusing on giving students practical skills and industry exposure. Khaled Yusuf delivered a key session introducing ERPNext and the Frappe Framework.

Interestingly, while both Microsoft and an ERPNext partner had booths at the event, Lavaloon’s booth attracted the most attention. Their team is planning to: - Hire BUE students for internships - Integrate ERPNext and Frappe into the curriculum - Conduct regular workshops at the university

Meeting Partners - Building Trust and Learning from the Ground

GoLive Solutions

GoLive Solutions, led by Mohammed Attia and Mohammed Ansari, exudes enterprise maturity and clarity of vision. Their conversations reflected a deep understanding of how large organizations think structured processes, documentation, and precision in delivery. What stood out was their strategic mindset toward scaling Frappe implementations for complex, multi-company environments. They’re also exploring ways to position ERPNext as a serious alternative to legacy systems in Egypt’s enterprise space. Calm, confident, and methodical.

Axentor

At Axentor, we were welcomed with coffee and candid conversations much like Frappe’s own culture. Mina and his young, passionate team are not just implementers but open-source advocates. We discussed ecosystem growth, talent development, and ethical software practices their curiosity and purpose were truly inspiring.

Lavaloon

Impressed us with their structured, enterprise-ready approach rooted in Oracle experience. Visiting both their tech and business workspaces showed how they blend technical precision with creative problem-solving. Discussions with Khaled and Haggag focused on scaling their Frappe practice and enterprise delivery. Visiting their client, Wind IS - Oracle L5 partners now happily using ERPNext, was a proud moment proving ERPNext’s maturity.

ERPCloud Systems

Led by Mohammed, Wael, and Karim has 40+ team members and 100+ implementations. Their preparation was impressive, they had a structured list of challenges and ideas. We even resolved one issue live with Rohit’s help, which earned instant appreciation. ERPCloud’s ongoing work with Egypt’s Ministry of Interior shows how deep their public-sector influence runs.

Smart Solutions

Led by Abdullah, Smart Solutions combines regional insight with a clear growth strategy. Joined by Mohammed Shokry and Amr, we discussed enterprise readiness and building customer trust. Abdullah’s focus on quality and long-term credibility aligned closely with Frappe’s values.

DataValue

DataValue struck a fine balance between structure and ambition. Their 40+ member team works with precision and clarity, reflecting a company that’s quietly but steadily growing its mark in Egypt’s ERP space. What stood out most was their honesty, they spoke openly about challenges around customer awareness and localization while showing genuine enthusiasm to strengthen their partnership with Frappe.

Instatech

Though not yet a partner, Instatech already feels part of the Frappe community. Led by Alaa Badri, the team demonstrated a strong understanding of ERPNext’s framework and shared detailed insights from previous implementations. Our conversation centered on how they could rejoin the partner ecosystem, contribute to the open-source community, and collaborate on upcoming opportunities in Egypt’s private and education sectors.

Reflections: What Egypt Taught Me

Egypt left a mark that goes far beyond meetings and agendas. It reminded me why I love what I do because at its core, this work is about people.Every interaction carried warmth and intention. Whether it was a partner proudly showing their workspace, a community member excitedly sharing how ERPNext changed their workflow, or a student eager to learn open source there was an unfiltered sense of purpose in every conversation.

It also reminded me that trust isn’t built in presentations or reports, it's built in person. Over shared meals, laughter, and small moments of understanding. Egypt gave us a real human connection that no slide deck can capture. The partners here are driven, not because someone asked them to be, but because they believe in what Frappe stands for: openness, collaboration, and empowerment. They’re already living the values we talk about. Seeing that reflected back at us was both grounding and inspiring.

Egypt continues to emerge as one of the most influential locations for Frappe’s regional growth. Beyond being a thriving market itself, Egypt plays a strategic role as a talent and resource hub for the Middle East. A significant portion of Frappe’s partner ecosystem in the region draws its strength from Egyptian professionals engineers, consultants, and implementers who form the backbone of many successful ERPNext deployments across GCC countries.

This deep interconnection makes Egypt pivotal not just for partner expansion but also for building technical depth, nurturing future implementers, and improving overall delivery quality in the region. By investing in more awareness programs, education, and community initiatives in Egypt, we indirectly strengthen the entire Middle East network. Empowering Egyptian talent means empowering the region since so many of them are already driving digital transformation projects across borders.

By the end of the trip, it wasn’t just about progress or partnerships anymore it was about belonging. Egypt didn’t just welcome us; it embraced us. The warmth, the collaboration, the excitement of the people made one thing very clear: this is where the heart of our community beats strongest.

That’s when it clicked - Frappeverse Middle East had to happen in Egypt.

Everything we saw and felt here pointed in that direction: the energy, the talent, the love for open source. Egypt isn’t just another stop in our regional journey, it's a bridge between Africa and the Middle East, a hub of creativity and connection.

So yes, it’s official — Frappeverse Middle East 2025 is happening in Cairo 6 and 7 December 2025, do register.

Last: Dishes You Should Try in Egypt

When you’re brought up in an Arab country, you grow up with a certain taste — one that’s hard to find elsewhere. I honestly get teary when I don’t get the same authenticity in Arabic cuisine in India. So, one of my biggest excitements when travelling to Egypt was, of course, the food. I had entire days planned just to savour Arabic dishes again.

(P.S. I’m vegetarian - so everything I share below is completely vegetarian!)

Mahashi - Vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or grape leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, and spices, then simmered in tomato sauce. Fragrant, hearty, and completely vegetarian.

Koshary - The ultimate vegetarian comfort food and Egypt’s national dish. A mix of rice, lentils, pasta, and chickpeas topped with tangy tomato sauce and crispy onions chaotic but perfectly balanced.

Malukhia - A green soup made from finely chopped jute leaves, cooked with garlic and coriander. Its slightly viscous texture is unique, and the flavor is earthy and comforting.

Foul - The heartbeat of Egyptian breakfasts. Slow-cooked fava beans mashed with olive oil, cumin, and lemon. It’s humble, healthy, and deeply comforting, best enjoyed with aish baladi (Egyptian bread).

I was personally thrilled, not only to bring Frappe to Egypt for the very first time, but also because this trip held deep personal meaning for me. Being so close to Sudan, it felt like coming home in many ways. I was excited to reconnect with university friends who now live in Egypt, eager to experience my favourite cuisine again, and looking forward to finally meeting my friends.

After 3 years I finally got to meet my friend from Sudan - Ahad Hassabala. We studied together at Future University in Khartoum.