Ahmed Mohamed Hassanein Heikal أحمد محمد حسنين هيكل | |
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| Alma mater | American University in Cairo (BA) University of Chicago Booth School of Business (PhD, Economics) |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, Investor |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Employer | Qalaa Holdings |
| Known for | Founder and Chairman of Qalaa Holdings |
| Title | Founder and Chairman |
| Board member of | Qalaa Holdings, TAQA Arabia |
| Parent | Mohamed Hassanein Heikal (father) |
Ahmed Mohamed Hassanein Heikal (Arabic: أحمد محمد حسنين هيكل) is an Egyptian businessman and investor, best known as the founder and chairman of Qalaa Holdings, an investment holding company operating in energy, transportation, logistics, manufacturing and agribusiness across Egypt and East Africa. He previously worked at EFG Hermes and is the son of prominent Egyptian journalist Mohamed Hassanein Heikal.[1]
Early life and education
Heikal studied economics at the American University in Cairo (AUC). He later earned a PhD in Mathematical Finance and Economics from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Career
Early career
Heikal started his career as an academic and consultant before joining EFG Hermes, one of the Middle East’s leading financial services institutions.[2][3]
Founding of Qalaa Holdings
In 2004, Heikal co-founded Citadel Capital, which later rebranded as Qalaa Holdings. It grew into one of Africa’s largest investment holding companies.[4]
Other activities
Heikal has served on the boards of several Qalaa subsidiaries, investment funds, and energy companies. He has also contributed articles and commentary on private equity, industrial strategy, and regional economic development.[5]
Personal life
Heikal is the son of a journalist, author and political commentator Mohamed Hassanein Heikal.[6]
Companies associated with Heikal
- Qalaa Holdings (Founder & Chairman)
- Egyptian Refining Company (ERC)
- TAQA Arabia
- ASEC Holding
- Nile Logistics (transport and river logistics)
- Dina Farms (agribusiness)
- Gozour (food industries)
References
- ↑ "Qalaa Holdings chairman grounded by $4 mln cheque dispute". Reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ↑ "AH Havard Business School Interviews". hbs.edu. Havard Business School. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ↑ "Ahmed and Hassan Heikal". arabianbusiness.com. Arabian Business. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ↑ "Qalaa Holding chief Ahmed Heikal banned from travel due to commercial dispute". Daily News Egypt. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ↑ "Qalaa Holdings chairperson sentenced to prison in absentia over $18m cheque dispute". dailynewsegypt.com. Daily News Egypt. Retrieved 2 December 2025.
- ↑ "Mohamed Hassanein Heikal, Prominent Egyptian Journalist, Dies at 92". nytimes.com. New York Times. Retrieved 2 December 2025.