
Africa’s economic reset requires moving from ambition to execution
The Africa Commerce Convergence Summit keynote address identified four elements that must converge if the continent is to achieve a meaningful economic reset.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025
New complex in Giza will consolidate the company various Egyptian operations and boost its export capabilities in the region.
Symrise, the German-based company that manufactures and markets flavours and fragrances for the foodstuffs and cosmetics industries, has unveiled plans for a new 30,000m² facility in Egypt.
The purpose-built 6th of October City in Giza will host the new Symrise facility
This will be located in Giza, Greater Cairo, and consolidate the company’s extensive operations in the Middle East-North Africa region into a single facility.
Currently, Symrise Egypt serves more than 20 markets with two production sites, an innovation centre, a quality control laboratory, and a sales and marketing office.
The new facility is located at the 6th of October City, a purpose-built modern city 32km from the centre of Cairo and 17km from the famous pyramids of Giza.
“This consolidation will support the consistent double-digit growth in Egypt as a destination market on the one hand. On the other hand, it will also foster the growth of the various markets … served from Egypt. Thus, expanding production capacity and capabilities becomes a key success factor to ensure superior service to our customers across all markets,” says Ihab Rehab, Managing Director for Symrise in North Africa.
Key focus on growing exports
Adds Lilian Regnier, Symrise President for Food & Beverage in Europe, Middle East and Africa: “Growing exports and our export expertise from Egypt represent a key focus for Symrise, supporting the EAME Supply Chain Strategy.
“Exports facilitate building a robust and agile business model supported by a strong presence in more than 22 markets, primarily across Africa and the Middle East.”
According to a press release from Symrise, the vibrant food and beverage economy in Egypt is closely linked to the growth of the agricultural sector, the government’s focus on investing in expanding the country’s industrial footprint, and upgrading the supporting infrastructure. Several global and regional F&B producers are using their production sites in Egypt to serve markets across the wider region.
Symrise company has a long-standing African presence, having been in South Africa for approximately 60 years and Nigeria for around 30 years.

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