Raya Holdings names Egyptian executive Marwa Abbas as CEO of Raya Information Technology

Raya Holding for Financial Investments, a Cairo-based conglomerate and key player in the Egyptian investment landscape, led by tycoon Medhat Khalil, has appointed Egyptian technology executive Marwa Abbas as Chief Executive Officer of Raya Information Technology, effective July 1, 2026, as the group accelerates its regional growth and digital transformation strategy.

Marwa Abbas takes over leadership of the fully owned subsidiary with more than three decades of experience in the information technology sector, most recently serving as General Manager and Technology Leader for IBM Egypt and North East Africa. Her appointment underscores Raya’s push to strengthen its footprint in enterprise technology and expand its regional presence.

She succeeds Wael Abdoush, who has moved to IBM as General Manager for the Gulf region, the Arab Mashreq and Pakistan. Meanwhile, Hisham Abdel Rasoul will continue to support Raya Information Technology during a transition period through December 2026.

Veteran IT leader Marwa Abbas with regional experience

Marwa Abbas spent nearly 30 years at IBM, holding multiple senior leadership roles across Egypt, the Middle East and Africa. She led IBM Egypt from January 2022 to June 2026, becoming the first woman to head the company in the country.

During her tenure, she oversaw all aspects of the business, including commercial operations, business development, project delivery and internal operations, while driving innovation and talent development. Her leadership also focused on expanding client relationships and advancing IBM’s strategic priorities in hybrid cloud, data technologies, cybersecurity and automation.

Before becoming General Manager, Marwa Abbas held several key positions at IBM, including Head of the Digital Sales Center in Cairo, where she played a role in strengthening the company’s regional digital capabilities. She holds a Master’s degree in Business and General Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, both from the American University in Cairo.

Marwa Abbas set to drive Raya’s next phase of growth

Raya’s appointment of Abbas aligns with its broader strategy to scale its technology business and deepen its role in digital transformation across key markets. Her experience in managing complex technology operations and leading growth initiatives is expected to support Raya Information Technology’s expansion and enhance its competitive positioning.

As demand for enterprise digital solutions rises across Africa and the Middle East, Abbas is expected to focus on innovation, operational efficiency and market expansion to drive the company’s next phase of growth.

A long-term presence in Egypt’s technology sector

Founded in 1999 through a merger led by Medhat Khalil and Orascom Group, Raya Holding has grown into one of Egypt’s leading investment firms, with interests spanning IT, call centers, retail, and manufacturing. Today, Raya is among Egypt’s most prominent publicly listed technology groups, with subsidiaries including Raya Information Technology, which now has a new CEO. With a growing suite of technology assets, Raya is positioned to meet rising demand for digital services while supporting Cairo’s ambitions to strengthen Egypt’s role as a regional fintech and IT hub.