Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Women’s Business Practices in Contemporary Egypt: An African Perspective

This article examines how Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) shape women’s entrepreneurial practices in contemporary Egypt, framing the nation within its broader African socio-cultural context. It addresses a critical gap in literature concerning the adaptation of IKS within modern, gendered business environments. Employing a rigorous qualitative methodology, the research is based on an ethnographic study involving in-depth, semi-structured interviews with thirty women business owners across Cairo and Alexandria (2021–2023), supplemented by field observations and document analysis. Thematic analysis of the data reveals that these entrepreneurs actively integrate indigenous epistemologies—such as principles of communal reciprocity (*wasta*), relational trust, and oral agreement customs—into their business operations, marketing, and conflict resolution. These practices, often operating alongside formal institutional frameworks, are shown to enhance business resilience and community embeddedness. The study argues that these IKS constitute a distinct, undervalued form of African business acumen, challenging Western-centric entrepreneurial models. By foregrounding African women’s agency in knowledge production, the research contributes to decolonising leadership and governance studies. It concludes that policy frameworks should recognise and support such hybrid models to foster more inclusive and culturally-grounded economic development.