How to Manage the Annual General Meeting in Egypt

Legal, tax, and compliance teams overseeing an Annual General Meeting in Egypt face a highly structured process, governed by Companies Law No. 159 of 1981. This article clarifies the AGM requirements, from shareholder rights and board attendance to formalities and filings, helping multinational teams meet local standards with confidence.

When must Egyptian companies hold their AGM?

Egyptian companies must convene their Annual General Meeting within three months of the financial year-end. For most companies with a 31 December closing, this means the AGM must be held by the last working day of March.

The meeting is typically called by the Chairperson of the Board, who issues formal invitations in line with the Articles of Association. Standard notice is 23 days, though this can be shortened to 10 days if all shareholders and board members confirm attendance.

What is the quorum requirement?

The meeting is valid if shareholders representing at least 25% of the capital attend. If quorum is not met, a second meeting must be held within 30 days. The company’s statutes may allow this second date to be included in the original notice, streamlining the process. Importantly, the second meeting is valid regardless of attendance levels.

Can the AGM be held virtually?

Yes. While the law does not prescribe a specific format, a regulatory decision currently allows for virtual AGMs. This means companies can use tools like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, provided they record the meeting and submit the video on a CD during the authentication process. Despite the virtual format, documents must still be signed in wet ink, e-signatures are not accepted.

Organising an Annual General Meeting in Egypt virtually requires careful planning. Even though shareholders and directors may attend remotely, the required paperwork still follows strict local protocols.

Who must attend the AGM?

Board attendance is mandatory, at least three directors, including the Chairperson, must be present. The company’s auditor must also attend or be represented and must sign the paperwork physically.

Shareholders can attend in person or by proxy, but only other shareholders (not directors) may serve as proxies. The proxy letter must be in writing and signed formally. Shareholders cannot delegate their presence to board members, preserving clear governance separation.

A meeting secretary and two vote counters must also be appointed. If the meeting is held at Klea’s local partner’s premises or online, their legal team can provide support in these roles.

What decisions are made during the AGM?

The AGM covers essential corporate matters, including:

1. Approval of financial statements
2. Directors’ report
3. Profit distribution
4. Appointment or renewal of board members
5. Auditor appointment and fee cap setting

Shareholders may not debate matters outside the formal agenda, unless new serious concerns arise during the meeting (Article 71). Shareholders retain the right to question the board and auditor throughout (Article 72).

What are the documentation and formalities?

The following original documents are mandatory:

• Financial statements
• Shareholders’ minutes – must include the debate summary, quorum, vote counts, and any additional comments requested by shareholders. These are recorded in notarised and legalised registers, which follow strict formatting and archiving rules.
• Notice letters
• Articles of Association (with all amendments)
• MCDR registration certificate
• Commercial Registration

All documents must be on company letterhead, signed in blue ink, and stamped. Once signed, the documents are authenticated by GAFI, often within two working days if VIP service is used.

What about post-AGM filings?

Filing must occur without delay after the AGM. While the law does not specify penalties for late filings, fines may apply, and delayed filings can compromise the legal validity of board decisions. Local partners handle the submission and provide proof of filing, though no formal register verification is available at this time.

Can multiple financial years be covered?

Yes. In practice, companies may approve several financial years in one AGM, even if held past the legal deadline. Although the law sets a three-month limit, late meetings do not automatically trigger legal repercussions, as long as proper filings and authentications follow.

Staying on top of the Annual General Meeting in Egypt means respecting both the formal obligations and the operational nuances. From physical documents to virtual attendance, every step counts toward staying compliant.

What’s next?

Managing an Annual General Meeting in Egypt requires detailed planning and full legal awareness. For more insights into processes in other jurisdictions, explore our article BOD in UK: Navigating Director Changes with Legal Precision.

Klea transforms entity management by offering centralised governance, automated compliance, and secure collaboration tools. For this reason, businesses looking for an efficient, scalable solution can take the following actions:

Request a demo – See Klea in action for your organisation
Start a trial – Experience firsthand how automation cuts workload and increases efficiency
Talk to our experts – Receive tailored guidance for your entity management needs

Company secretarial software solutions play a crucial role in modern businesses that require structured governance, consistent compliance, and accurate legal entity management. With Klea, organisations can ensure corporate governance remains efficient, transparent, and risk-free.

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