The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Expo Live is one of the most exciting initiatives taken by Expo2020 this year as an attempt to create a meaningful impact on and with as many people from all around the world as possible through a range of programmes and initiatives. The Expo Live global innovation and partnership offers funding, support, and exposure to anyone whose creative solutions will help make a difference in the community and environment. The work of 140 social entrepreneurs supported under Expo Live has benefitted over 5.8 million people so far.

The bold and ambitious Expo Live grantees – named ‘Global Innovators’ – have committed themselves to making their communities and our planet a better place and were chosen from a pool of 11,000-plus applications from 184 countries, highlighting the programme’s global engagement.

Projects within the programme have played a crucial role during the pandemic, helping more than one million individuals worldwide receive medical assistance and counselling. In addition, sustainability-focused efforts participating in the expo have had significant positive environmental impacts: more than 190,000 tons of carbon dioxide have been averted from entering the atmosphere. Also, thanks to agricultural innovations and cost-efficient ways of planting trees in degraded areas, 3.6 million hectares of land – an area roughly the size of Belgium– has been restored.

Of those impressive initiatives, three Egyptian innovators were chosen by Expo2020 Dubai to showcase their work in front of the whole world. Those exciting three startups are Transport for Cairo, Yomken, and Shezlong Egypt.

Transport for Cairo is a disruptive transport consultancy that aims to optimise existing transport systems and develop flexible and sustainable mobility solutions for our future. The initiative provides data, tools, and research material that will help improve urban mobility in emerging cities, primarily in Africa. This is the time we need such a tool the most due to rapid urbanisation and growth during the current climate crisis.

Yomken.com is an Arab online crowd-solving platform that works towards linking innovative minds and solution-seekers as an attempt at creating more job opportunities as well as helping to tackle issues such as the lack of research and development and weak innovation ecosystems in some Arab countries.

Shezlong is an online Egyptian mental health platform that was established in 2015 with the sole purpose of connecting patients to licensed therapists via video, mobile phone, or web chats. It provides access to evidence-based treatment for tens of millions. The platform offers professional help to millions who may not have access to treatment. Through its platform, users can select a therapist based on their needs and budget, schedule an online session, and conduct their session in full from anywhere, at any time.