en
Egypt
Since founding Cairo Center for Development Benchmarking (CDB) in 2015, Dr. Maha Ismail has grown the company from a small, limited liability firm into a trusted partner in consultancy, research, and training. What began as local collaborations with NGOs quickly evolved into a regional enterprise supporting government agencies and global institutions—including ministries in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE.
CDB specializes in monitoring and evaluation, enabling organizations to track progress, analyze impact, and strengthen results. Under Dr. Ismail’s leadership, the company has expanded from four employees to a team of 29 permanent staff and 260 part-time experts. Annual revenue has grown from $50,000 to $4.5 million, with operations now spanning five countries. Originally focused on social protection and women’s economic empowerment, CDB has expanded into critical areas such as climate change and agriculture, contributing to Egypt’s National Adaptation Plan and addressing pressing issues like water scarcity, food security, and climate finance.
While CDB’s growth has been remarkable, access to new markets and buyers remained a challenge. That’s where WEConnect International played a key role. Although certification is not currently available in Egypt, Dr. Ismail leveraged her registration in WECommunity to access training, make valuable business connections, and participate in international workshops.
“When WEConnect International contacted me, I wasn’t really sure if they could help,” Ismail says. “They me to an online workshop with the World Bank Group’s procurement team, on businesses owned by women. I saw how strong and respected WEConnect International is. That changed everything.”
Dr. Ismail credits WEConnect International training programs with helping her prioritize and prepare for growth, noting that the sessions on marketing, supply chain management, and stress management were especially beneficial.
A passionate advocate for the empowerment of women, Dr. Ismail has ensured that over 60% of CDB’s workforce is female, even in traditionally male-dominated sectors like agriculture and climate change. She encourages other women business owners to lead with vision and perseverance: “You are strong enough, capable, and can achieve what you want,” she says. “You can transform your life and the lives of others by smart work.”
Looking forward, Dr. Ismail is set on scaling CDB further by entering new markets, strengthening existing partnerships, and developing innovative consultancy services. Her journey proves that with resilience, and confidence, women entrepreneurs can break barriers, grow successful businesses, and make a lasting impact.