Egyptians Find a 'Second Home' in Tanzania After Southward Migration

In 2017, Ahmed Ginah left his home in Egypt’s northern delta and moved to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, driven by little more than ambition and a dream. Four years later, he named his successful business “Dream Trading,” a tribute to that vision. At the time, his decision to move south surprised many of his peers, as sub-Saharan Africa is often stereotyped in Egypt as a region plagued by famine, poverty, and disease. However, Ginah found opportunity in Tanzania, establishing a business with just $3,000, initially focusing on aluminium household goods and later expanding into steel.

Nicknamed the “Mayor of Egyptians in Dar-es-Salaam,” Ginah has become a support figure for other North African migrants. Every day, he follows a routine that begins with visits to his warehouses and a regular breakfast stop at a Somali café in City Mall, where he meets fellow Egyptians and Tanzanians. Many Egyptians arriving in Tanzania already have family or friends in the country, but for those who don’t, Ginah helps with housing, jobs, and orientation to the local work culture. One of the most vital services he offers is access to a trusted translator, especially in rural areas where Swahili is the primary language. He warns that lack of communication can lead to fraud, and only supports migrants who are willing to work hard, discouraging dependence on others.

Over eight years, Ginah’s business has grown substantially, now distributing products across Africa. He has also helped dozens from his hometown settle in Tanzania, where an estimated 70,000 Arabs live, including about 1,200 Egyptians (as per Egypt’s ambassador Sherif Ismail, 2023).

This personal story reflects a broader trend of south-south migration among young Egyptians. With limited opportunities at home and tighter European borders, many are looking south for economic prospects. According to migration expert Ayman Zohry of the American University in Cairo, Egypt’s youth are shifting away from traditional destinations like the Gulf and Europe, and towards emerging African markets. The number of Egyptians in non-Arab African countries rose from 46,000 in 2017 to 54,000 in 2021.

Meanwhile, many still risk dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean. In 2023, Egyptians were the fifth most common nationality arriving in Italy via the Central Mediterranean route. In response, the EU signed an €7.4 billion ($8.7 billion) deal with Egypt to help reduce irregular migration through stronger border control. However, the southward migration trend is growing as Egypt strengthens diplomatic and trade ties across Africa. Zohry notes that migration to Africa is often temporary or cyclical, with many migrants returning to Egypt after a short stay or moving between countries for better opportunities.

During festive seasons like Eid, airports in Dar-es-Salaam fill with Egyptians traveling home to visit families, build homes, or support family goals such as marriage or pilgrimage.

Beyond Tanzania, Egyptian communities are expanding across Africa, especially in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Senegal. Ginah shared a story from the 1990s about an Egyptian who accidentally discovered the market for aluminium goods in South Africa. Since then, Egyptian businesses have diversified across Africa into manufacturing, agriculture, and mining.

Following Egypt’s 2011 revolution, political turmoil in the Gulf and Libya further encouraged migration south. Tanzania’s government, meanwhile, has supported foreign investors with incentives, making it an appealing destination for ambitious Egyptians like Ginah.