Tarek Tantawy: Leading Al-Futtaim’s Growth and Transformation in Egypt

A Strategic Executive with Deep Financial and Corporate Experience

Tarek Tantawy is a senior Egyptian business executive with extensive experience spanning corporate strategy, investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, financial management, telecommunications, real estate, and diversified business operations. His career combines financial expertise with executive leadership, strategic transformation, and corporate governance.

Since January 2026, Tantawy has served as Country CEO – Egypt at Al-Futtaim, bringing decades of leadership experience across major Egyptian and regional businesses.

Leading Al-Futtaim in Egypt

In his current role as Country CEO – Egypt at Al-Futtaim, Tantawy is responsible for executive leadership within one of the region’s prominent diversified business groups.

His appointment follows several years of senior leadership at Palm Hills Developments, where he served as Co-CEO & Managing Director from May 2021 to January 2026.

Transforming Businesses Through Strategy

Before joining Palm Hills Developments, Tantawy spent more than six years at CI Capital Holding, progressing through a series of senior leadership positions, including Group Co-CEO & Managing Director, Managing Director & Group Deputy CEO, Group Deputy CEO, and Group Chief Operating Officer.

His responsibilities across these roles included business strategy, operational performance, corporate finance, investments, and organisational development.

Leadership at Telecom Egypt

A significant chapter of Tantawy’s career was his tenure at Telecom Egypt, where he became Chief Executive Officer in August 2009.

He was appointed as the company’s first CEO following the separation of the Chairman and CEO roles, reflecting a move toward corporate governance practices in the organisation.

During his leadership, his responsibilities encompassed corporate strategy, restructuring, organic and inorganic growth, operational excellence, human capital development, performance management, business development, and shareholder relations.

Earlier, he served as Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, where he managed areas including financial strategy, capital structure, investment strategy, acquisitions, investor relations, treasury, risk management, and financial planning.

A Foundation in Investment Banking

Tantawy began his career in corporate finance and investment banking, serving as Vice President – Investment Banking Division at Sigma Capital and Senior Consultant – Corporate Finance Division at FinRate Consulting.

His early work covered mergers and acquisitions, financial restructuring, private placements, project finance, pre-IPO assignments, valuation, financial modelling, and due diligence across multiple sectors.

This foundation helped establish the financial and strategic expertise that later shaped his executive career.

Combining Finance and Business Leadership

Tantawy also served as Chief Financial Officer at IDJ-Beyti, a joint venture between PepsiCo and Almarai, where his responsibilities extended across corporate strategy, accounting and tax, financial planning, budgeting, cost management, treasury, risk management, legal affairs, and information technology.

The role further strengthened his experience in connecting financial management with broader commercial and operational decision-making.

Education and Professional Credentials

Tantawy holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University, earned between 2002 and 2005. He also holds the CFA qualification from CFA Institute, completed between 1999 and 2002.

He earned his BSc in Construction Engineering from The American University in Cairo, completing his undergraduate studies between 1993 and 1998.

Recognition

Tarek Tantawy’s career reflects a distinctive progression from corporate finance and investment banking to CFO, CEO, and country-level executive leadership. With experience across telecommunications, financial services, consumer goods, real estate, and diversified business, he brings together financial discipline, strategic thinking, and operational leadership to his role as Country CEO – Egypt at Al-Futtaim.