Manufacturing and industrial events in Egypt 2026–27: which shows to attend

Egypt's industrial trade shows cluster in two stretches: October to January, and May to June. Almost all of them are in Cairo. They split between two venues: the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC) in New Cairo and the Cairo International Convention Center (CICC) in Nasr City.

atndr lists 11 upcoming industry and manufacturing events in Egypt between October 2026 and December 2027. Most are sector shows: each one covers a single supply chain, such as plastics, coatings, packaging or garments. There is no single all-industry fair. Pick by product, not by prestige.

February to April is quiet for pure manufacturing shows. July and August are quiet across the board. For the wider city calendar, see business events in Cairo.

Match the show to what you make or buy.

Textiles and garments

Cairo Fashion & Tex runs 2–4 October 2026 at CICC. It is the 81st edition of a show that has run since 1993, and its site lists three editions in 2026 (January, March and October). Garment makers show collections, and yarn, fabric and machinery suppliers fill the textile side. Buyers are wholesalers, chain stores, exporters and purchasing offices. Egypt Stitch & Tex Expo (2–5 December 2027, CICC) is the production-side show: industrial sewing, cutting, embroidery and digital textile printing machinery, plus trims.

Packaging and processing

interpack MEA (7–10 December 2026, EIEC) is the 7th edition of Messe Düsseldorf's regional fair, formerly pacprocess MEA. It covers food, beverage, pharma and cosmetics processing lines and packaging machinery, and it runs alongside Food Africa. ProPak MENA (1–3 June 2027, EIEC) is Informa Markets' packaging and processing show, co-located with Fi Africa. A food or pharma plant manager can source ingredients and packaging lines in one visit at either pair.

Plastics, rubber and coatings

AFRO PLAST (9–12 January 2027, EIEC) covers injection, extrusion and blow-moulding machines, recycling lines, moulds, polymers and additives, plus rubber and non-woven sections. Egypt Coatings Show (10–12 January 2027, EIEC) is dmg events' show for coatings: resins, pigments, additives, mills, dispersers and testing equipment. The two overlap on 10–12 January, so a chemicals buyer can cover both in one trip.

Metal, machinery and tools

Mactech Egypt (17–20 December 2026, EIEC) is the 26th edition of the metalworking show: CNC machining, sheet-metal forming, laser and EDM machines, automation, and welding and cutting equipment. Metal & Steel Egypt (4–6 September 2027, EIEC) is the 15th edition of the steel show: plates, coils, pipes, wire and cable, and furnace and processing technology.

Automotive aftermarket

Autotech Egypt (9–11 October 2026, EIEC) covers parts, lubricants, tyres and batteries, diagnostics and two- and three-wheelers. The organiser reports 17,750+ visitors and 550+ exhibitors for the 2025 edition. It runs a technical conference, hosted buyers and matchmaking.

Wood and furniture

Cairo WoodShow (26–29 November 2026, CICC) is the 11th edition of the North African WoodShow. It covers MDF and panels, veneer, hardwood, engineered timber, woodworking machinery and finishes, and runs alongside IFAC Cairo. The 2025 edition drew 18,195 visitors and 451 exhibitors from 68 countries, according to the organiser.

Contract manufacturing

Private Label Egypt (19–21 November 2026, CICC Hall 4) is the second edition of a show that pairs brands with Egyptian factories that produce under the buyer's label. It covers five sectors: food and beverages, beauty and cosmetics, fashion and textiles, chemicals and home care, and packaging.

Related industrial shows

Three shows sit next to manufacturing. HVAC-R Egypt Expo (24–26 May 2027, EIEC) is Egypt's HVAC-R and insulation show, supported by the ASHRAE Cairo Chapter. Stone Africa (12–15 November 2026, CICC) covers marble, granite, quarrying and processing machinery. WinDoorEx Middle East (6–8 May 2027, EIEC) covers glass, aluminium, windows, doors and facades, and the machinery to make them.

Nearly every show on this calendar uses one of two Cairo venues. Check the venue before you book a hotel, because they are far apart and Cairo traffic is slow.

EIEC hosts the big machinery and packaging shows. CICC hosts the textile shows and several mid-sized fairs. For an EIEC show, a hotel in New Cairo or Heliopolis saves the most time. For CICC, Nasr City and Heliopolis are closest.

Most manufacturing shows in Egypt are free for trade visitors who register online. Paid tickets are rare and usually limited to conference sessions or hosted-buyer programmes.

• Cairo Fashion & Tex: free entrance with online registration.
• interpack MEA: registration and access to the fair are free, according to the organiser.
• Egypt Coatings Show: free for trade and industry professionals. Visitors under 18 are not admitted.
• Autotech Egypt: free trade visitor registration. Under 16s are not admitted.
• Cairo WoodShow and Private Label Egypt: free for trade visitors with advance registration.

Register before the show so your badge is ready. Bring a business card or company ID: these are trade shows for industry professionals, not public fairs. Age limits vary, so check the show's visitor page before bringing a junior colleague. For how free visitor passes work in general, see how to get a free visitor pass to a trade show.

Visas. Many nationalities can apply for Egypt's e-visa online. The official portal asks you to apply at least 7 days before departure. Check your eligibility there.

Choose by supply chain first, then by date. A general manufacturing trip rarely pays off in Egypt because the shows are narrow. Use these checks:

1. Match the product list. Read the exhibitor profile on the official site. A plastics converter belongs at AFRO PLAST, not at Mactech.
2. Look for pairs. interpack MEA runs with Food Africa, ProPak MENA with Fi Africa, and AFRO PLAST overlaps with the Egypt Coatings Show. One trip can cover two shows.
3. Check the hosted-buyer programme. Autotech, Stone Africa and HVAC-R Egypt run hosted-buyer schemes. Qualified buyers can get meetings arranged with exhibitors. Apply early.
4. Book meetings before you fly. Several shows run matchmaking platforms. Pre-booked meetings are worth more than walking the aisles.
5. Plan for the venue. Stay near EIEC or CICC, not downtown.

Buyers should bring specifications, target prices and volumes. Egyptian factories at Private Label Egypt and Cairo Fashion & Tex will quote minimum order quantities on the spot. Suppliers selling machinery or materials into Egypt should expect distributor and agent conversations as much as direct sales. Egypt imports much of its machinery, and local partners handle service and spare parts.

Egypt's shows are more specialised and cheaper to attend. The Gulf shows are larger and more international. Egypt's calendar is built around its own factories: textiles, plastics, packaging, metals and building materials. Many shows position Cairo as a gateway to African buyers.

Saudi Arabia's industrial calendar is shaped by localisation targets and large industrial projects. It is covered in manufacturing events in Saudi Arabia. The UAE's shows in Dubai and Abu Dhabi draw more international buyers and exhibitors. They are covered in manufacturing events in the UAE.

A supplier targeting North and East Africa gets more from Cairo. A supplier targeting Gulf megaprojects gets more from Riyadh or Dubai. For the difference between a trade show and a conference, see conference, exhibition, summit or workshop.