Electrical Contractor Licensing in Egypt — Grades and Requirements
Not everyone carrying the name 'electrical company' is licensed to work on large projects. In Egypt, electrical contracting companies are classified into grades based on the scale of projects they are authorised to execute. Knowing a company's grade before contracting protects your project legally and technically.
By the Ases Kahraba team — Last updated: February 2026
Quick Answer
Complete guide to electrical contractor licensing in Egypt — licence grades (1st, 2nd, 3rd class), requirements for each grade, issuing body, how to verify a company's licence, and why grade matters for large projects.
Electrical Contractor Licence Grades and Their Requirements
- Third grade (Class C) — Qualifies for small electrical projects with a maximum contract value ranging from EGP 500,000 to 1,000,000. Minimum capital requirement is relatively low. Granted by the Chamber of Commerce or the Egyptian Federation of Construction and Building Contractors.
- Second grade (Class B) — Qualifies for medium projects with a higher contract ceiling (up to EGP 5 million). Requires a full-time electrical engineer in the company, a commercial registration of at least 3 years, and a higher capital requirement than third grade.
- First grade (Class A) — Qualifies to execute any project regardless of value. Requires a complete engineering team, experience in major projects, and a large registered capital. Necessary for government tenders and major private sector contracts.
- Issuing body — Electrical contractor licences are issued by the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) or the relevant Chamber of Commerce in coordination with the Egyptian Federation of Construction and Building Contractors.
- How to verify a company's licence and grade — Request the commercial registration and the company's professional licence card. Verify via the GAFI website or by contacting the Egyptian Contractors Federation. Some government bodies verify directly from the database.
- Why grade matters for large projects — Government tenders and projects above a certain value explicitly require a company of at least second or first grade. Contracting with a lower-grade company voids the contract and forfeits guarantees.
- What each grade permits — Third grade: houses, apartments, and small finishing works. Second grade: villas, residential buildings, and medium commercial buildings. First grade: hospitals, shopping centres, factories, and major government projects with no contract ceiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a third-grade company execute a project above its contract ceiling?
Legally, no. If the project exceeds the third-grade contract limit, the company must either upgrade its licence or partner with a higher-grade company. Exceeding the limit exposes the company to penalties and licence cancellation.
How does a company upgrade its licence grade?
By submitting an upgrade application to the relevant authority with proof of meeting the higher grade requirements (greater capital, additional engineers, previously executed projects). Upgrades typically take 3–6 months from submitting complete documents.
Is first grade sufficient to compete in all government tenders?
First grade is the basic requirement for most major government tenders, but some add additional conditions such as experience in a specific project type, a minimum annual financial turnover, or partnership with specialised companies.
What is GAFI and what is its role in electrical contractor licensing?
GAFI is the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones in Egypt. It registers and licences companies in various sectors including electrical contracting. Its website provides company licence verification services.
Is Ases Kahraba a licensed company and what is its grade?
Ases Kahraba is officially registered and licensed, operating in accordance with Egyptian regulations. Licence details are available upon request when contacting us. We provide all accreditation documents by written request before any contract.