On 20 August 2026, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly issued Decree No. 2842 of 2026 appointing Ms. Rasha Abdel Aal as Chairperson of the Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) for a renewable one-year term, effective immediately. Ms. Abdel Aal succeeds Mr. Mohamed Mahmoud, who served as acting chair since January 2025. The appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the Authority executes its ambitious Digital Transformation Strategy 2024–2028, implements the newly enacted tax facilitation packages, and prepares for the phased rollout of e-invoicing and e-receipt mandates across all taxpayer segments. Ms. Abdel Aal brings over 22 years of experience in tax administration, having previously served as Deputy Chair for Taxpayer Services, Head of the Large Taxpayers Office, and lead negotiator for Egypt’s bilateral tax treaty network. She holds a Master’s in Tax Law from Cairo University and is a certified member of the Egyptian Tax Practitioners Association.
Key Takeaways
- Continuity with Strategic Pivot: The one-year renewable term signals the government’s intent to maintain policy continuity while injecting fresh leadership to accelerate digitalization, improve service delivery metrics, and enhance revenue collection efficiency targets.
- Immediate Policy Priorities: In her inaugural statement, Ms. Abdel Aal emphasized three priorities: (1) completing the e-invoicing integration for all VAT registrants by December 2026, (2) expanding the “White List” trusted trader program to cover 50% of active corporate taxpayers, and (3) launching a comprehensive taxpayer education campaign on the new Tax Sukuk and investment incentives.
- Governance and Stakeholder Engagement: The appointment decree mandates quarterly performance reporting to the Minister of Finance, establishment of a Taxpayer Ombudsman office within 90 days, and structured consultation forums with business chambers, professional syndicates, and international tax bodies.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement