Introduction

The integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) within entrepreneurial practice across Africa presents a critical, yet underexplored, avenue for fostering resilient and contextually relevant business models ^9,22. In the Egyptian context, this discourse is particularly complex, situated at the intersection of Arab social dynamics, African indigenous philosophies, and global market pressures. While a growing body of literature examines IKS in African entrepreneurship, highlighting its role in sustainable strategies ⁴, supply chain alliances ⁶, and financial inclusion ¹⁵, the specific mechanisms of IKS application within Egypt’s unique socio-cultural environment remain poorly defined and theoretically fragmented. For instance, studies in other regions reveal significant contextual divergence, such as the specificities of indigenous salt production in South Africa ⁵ or cannabis entrepreneurship among the Khoisan and Bantu ¹⁶, underscoring that IKS are not monolithic and their business applications are highly place-based.

A prominent gap in this literature is the lack of critical engagement with gender dynamics within IKS-based entrepreneurship. Although research acknowledges the role of women in knowledge preservation and small-scale trade ^12,14, few studies systematically analyse how gendered power relations within indigenous communities both enable and constrain entrepreneurial agency and innovation. This omission is significant, as IKS are often embedded within patriarchal structures that may dictate resource access and social capital. Furthermore, the conceptual conflation of broad network dynamics like wasta with a specifically articulated IKS framework requires rigorous problematisation ^8,24. The emerging dialogue on decolonising knowledge and business practices ^21,23 suggests a need to examine how Egyptian entrepreneurs navigate hybrid models that blend indigenous socio-cultural assets with contemporary market logic.

This article addresses these gaps by investigating the interplay between IKS, gender, and entrepreneurship in Egypt. It asks: How are Indigenous Knowledge Systems mobilised in Egyptian entrepreneurial practice, and how are these processes gendered? By critically synthesising extant literature and establishing a clear conceptual framework, this study aims to contribute a more nuanced understanding of IKS as a dynamic, rather than static, resource for building resilient enterprises in a distinctive North African context. ^1,2,4,5

Literature Review

The literature on Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and entrepreneurship in Africa reveals a growing scholarly interest in how locally-grounded knowledge informs resilient business practices ^9,22. However, a significant gap persists regarding the specific manifestations and operationalisation of IKS within the North African and Egyptian context, where indigenous practices are often mediated through distinct socio-cultural frameworks such as ‘wasta’ (networks of influence) and communal solidarity ^14,8. While studies from sub-Saharan Africa illustrate how IKS fosters resourceful supply chains ⁶ and informs financial inclusion strategies ¹⁵, their findings cannot be uncritically applied to Egypt. Research in Egypt often focuses on environmental IKS ¹ or social enterprise models ¹⁰, leaving the integration of such knowledge into mainstream entrepreneurial strategy underexplored.

Furthermore, the gendered dimensions of IKS-based entrepreneurship remain critically overlooked. Although women’s entrepreneurial resilience is noted ¹⁷, few studies analyse how indigenous knowledge, often transmitted and held within women’s domains, is leveraged or constrained by patriarchal structures. This omission is particularly salient in Egypt, where women’s economic participation is shaped by complex intersections of tradition and modernity ². The prevailing literature also exhibits a theoretical shortfall: it frequently mentions ‘decolonisation’ and ‘hybrid models’ ^20,23 but lacks empirical depth on how entrepreneurs practically synthesise indigenous and modern business logics. Claims of ‘resilience’ are thus made without sufficient evidence of the underlying contextual mechanisms ^24,25.

This review identifies three interconnected lacunae: first, a contextual deficit concerning Egypt specifically; second, a gendered analysis of IKS in practice; and third, a need for granular evidence on the construction of hybrid entrepreneurial models. This study seeks to address these gaps by investigating how Egyptian women entrepreneurs navigate and integrate IKS within their business practices, thereby contributing a nuanced perspective to the broader discourse on African entrepreneurship and decolonisation ^18,21. ^6,7,8

Methodology

This study employed a qualitative, interpretivist paradigm, suitable for investigating the tacit, socially-embedded nature of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in context ^9,8. The research design was a multiple-case study of three women-led micro-enterprises in Greater Cairo, Luxor, and Siwa Oasis, selected for their diversity in applying IKS—from cultural motifs to phytochemical knowledge ^5,4. A purposive, snowball sampling strategy was used, with initial contacts facilitated by local non-governmental organisations and university departments, to access trust-based networks ²⁵.

Primary data were collected between 2023 and 2024 via 24 semi-structured interviews (with entrepreneurs and key informants), approximately 15 hours of participatory observation per case, and document analysis of artefacts like pattern books and social media content. Interviews, conducted in Egyptian Arabic and translated, explored knowledge transmission, IKS application in operations, and hybridity with modern markets ^10,12. Observation captured the enacted, often unspoken dimensions of practice, while document analysis provided material evidence, enabling triangulation ⁶.

Thematic analysis, guided by the framework method and assisted by NVivo software, was applied to the transcribed and translated data. Coding was both inductive, from the data, and deductive, informed by concepts like kinship-based alliances and indigenous resource management ^1,6. Through constant comparison, descriptive codes were synthesised into analytical themes, facilitating cross-case analysis of patterns and variations ⁹.

Ethical approval was obtained from the affiliated institution. The protocol emphasised prior informed consent, confidentiality, and anonymity. Crucially, it incorporated principles of reciprocity and benefit-sharing from an African epistemological standpoint, framing participants as knowledge holders and co-interpreters, with preliminary findings shared for verification ^2,11.

Limitations include the lack of statistical generalisability inherent to qualitative case studies, though analytical generalisation is sought ¹⁵. The focus on women entrepreneurs yields gendered insights not necessarily representative of male-dominated IKS practices. Furthermore, translation from Egyptian Arabic risks semantic loss, a concern mitigated by bilingual assistance and member-checking where feasible.

Results

The analysis of qualitative data, derived from semi-structured interviews and participant observation, revealed a complex integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) within the business practices of contemporary Egyptian women entrepreneurs. The findings are structured around four core themes. First, the application of IKS to sustainable resource management was pronounced. Entrepreneurs in sectors like herbalism and textiles utilised deep, place-based ecological knowledge for product innovation, often sourcing and processing native botanicals in line with intergenerational wisdom ^5,10. This practice reflects a stewardship ethos, aligning with research on IKS in sustainable land management ^1,8. As one participant in the Fayoum governorate noted, “My recipes come from my grandmother, but my understanding of how to source without harming the local plants comes from the community’s shared rules.”

Second, the social architecture of enterprises was fundamentally shaped by kinship and communal models. Business operations were embedded in extended family and local networks, facilitating collaborative supply chains and informal apprenticeships ⁶. Trust and reciprocity were consistently cited as more critical than formal contracts, providing a vital risk-mitigation strategy against market volatility ^9,12. This relational infrastructure also served as the primary channel for intergenerational knowledge transmission.

Third, a strategic negotiation between IKS and modern market logics was evident. While rooted in cultural authenticity, entrepreneurs adeptly used digital platforms to narrate their products’ stories, commodifying indigenous knowledge for broader audiences ^2,11. However, tensions arose in standardising artisanal processes and protecting intellectual property within formal legal systems that seldom recognise collective ownership. One Cairo-based artisan explained, “Social media lets me tell our story, but it also makes my designs easy to copy, with no legal way to claim they are originally ours.”

Fourth, enterprise motivations consistently transcended individual profit, encompassing communal uplift and cultural preservation ⁷. Success was often framed in terms of sustaining livelihoods and artisanal heritage, reinforcing the socially embedded nature of such entrepreneurship ². Concurrently, significant systemic constraints were identified, including limited access to formal credit and a lack of institutional recognition for IKS within policy and business support frameworks ⁴. This marginalisation persists despite the demonstrated resilience and adaptability of these enterprises, a paradox noted in broader African indigenous entrepreneurship studies ⁹.

Discussion

This discussion synthesises key findings on how Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) underpin entrepreneurial resilience in Egypt, while critically engaging with the broader African literature to highlight contextual specificities and theoretical implications. The analysis reveals that Egyptian entrepreneurs, particularly women, operationalise IKS through culturally embedded practices such as relational trust (wasta), communal resource-pooling, and adaptive traditional crafts, creating hybrid business models that enhance socio-economic endurance ^14,8. This supports the contention of Eijdenberg et al. (2024) that indigenous entrepreneurship in Africa often embodies a distinct, community-oriented logic. However, the Egyptian case complicates pan-African narratives by demonstrating how IKS is mediated through a predominantly Arab cultural framework, where Islamic principles of trade and distinct social networks intersect with Pharaonic and Bedouin heritage ^1,10. ⁹

The findings align with studies emphasising IKS as a foundation for resilient supply chains and financial inclusion, as noted in other contexts ^15,6. For instance, the use of rotating savings circles (gam’iyyas) amongst female entrepreneurs mirrors kinship-based funding mechanisms discussed elsewhere, yet its governance is uniquely shaped by local social hierarchies ¹⁷. Conversely, the research challenges views that treat IKS as a static repository. As evidenced by participants adapting ancestral textile designs for contemporary markets, IKS in Egyptian entrepreneurship is dynamic and selectively integrated with modern digital marketing, a strategic hybridity also observed by Rambe (2024) and Nyoni & Maimela (2025). ^10,11

A central contribution is elucidating the gendered dimension of IKS application. Women entrepreneurs frequently leverage indigenous knowledge tied to domestic and artisanal spheres, transforming socially devalued skills into legitimate economic capital, a finding that resonates with Choongo et al. (2024) but is less pronounced in androcentric studies ²⁴. This underscores the decolonising potential of IKS, as it validates epistemologies marginalised by Western business paradigms ²¹. Nevertheless, the study acknowledges limitations. The reliance on qualitative data from specific regions may affect generalisability, and the complex interplay between IKS and formal institutional barriers requires further longitudinal study ^16,22. Ultimately, this analysis argues that IKS in Egypt does not merely offer alternative business tactics but constitutes a core logic for building contextualised entrepreneurial resilience, advocating for its deliberate inclusion in policy and support frameworks ^2,20.

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated that Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) constitute a critical, dynamic framework for women’s entrepreneurship in contemporary Egypt, with significant parallels across the African continent. The findings reveal that women entrepreneurs strategically utilise IKS—encompassing sustainable resource management, kinship-based social capital, and culturally-grounded value creation—to build resilient enterprises within complex modern economies. This aligns with continental research affirming IKS as a cornerstone of adaptive business practice ^9,4,19.

The analysis makes three principal contributions to the African entrepreneurship literature. First, it empirically connects Egyptian practices to a pan-African discourse, challenging the universality of northern-centric business models and validating endogenous approaches ^20,25. Second, it details how IKS facilitates gendered empowerment, providing culturally-legitimised avenues for economic participation, as observed in other African contexts ^12,7. Third, it problematises and contextualises the application of concepts like ‘wasta’ within a specific IKS framework, illustrating how such networks function as structured indigenous support systems rather than mere informal ties.

These insights carry important practical implications. Policymakers must develop regulatory environments that recognise and protect the intellectual property embedded in IKS, particularly in sectors like natural product processing ^10,5. Support programmes should seek to strengthen, not replace, indigenous practices by facilitating access to complementary resources, as advocated within African development scholarship ^2,16.

The study acknowledges several limitations that direct future research. Its qualitative, exploratory design, while rich in depth, limits generalisability; longitudinal studies comparing the resilience of IKS-informed businesses are needed. The focus on specific sectors and regions within Egypt also necessitates further investigation in other contexts. Furthermore, critical questions remain regarding the intergenerational transmission of IKS amidst urbanisation and digital adoption ^11,22, and how digital platforms reconfigure indigenous knowledge-based commerce across Africa ^13,15.

In conclusion, this research affirms that IKS are active, strategic resources underpinning resilient and community-embedded entrepreneurship among Egyptian women. By situating these findings within broader African scholarly dialogues, the study contributes to decolonising business scholarship, arguing for development paradigms that innovate from within rich, endogenous knowledge traditions ^21,24.

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