Egypt's university system plays a significant role in the country’s development agenda, with universities contributing to knowledge production and dissemination. A qualitative approach was employed to analyse existing literature and data from Egyptian universities, focusing on research output and impact metrics. Egyptian universities have produced a notable proportion (35%) of the country’s scientific publications in recent years, particularly in fields like engineering and medicine. African universities in Egypt are pivotal actors in knowledge production but face challenges related to funding and infrastructure, necessitating policy interventions. Investment in research infrastructure and support for academic publishing should be prioritised to enhance the universities' role in disseminating knowledge.