Ahmed El-Sharkawy
Partner
Fax
(+202) 2322 5401
Languages
Arabic, English
Ahmed is the co-founder of Sharkawy & Sarhan and he leads the firm’s Telecommunication, Media and Technology (TMT) group. With over 20 years of diverse experience, he has built a distinguished career advising major financial institutions and technology companies on complex commercial and regulatory projects.Â
His expertise spans Digital Payments, Cloud Computing, Ride-hailing, Data Privacy and Security, Artificial Intelligence, E-signature, and Mergers and Acquisitions within the TMT sector.
In addition to his TMT specialization, Ahmed has extensive experience in Fintech and General Corporate work. He has played a pivotal role in numerous high-profile transactions and regulatory matters, providing strategic counsel that drives innovation and growth for his clients.
Before co-founding Sharkawy & Sarhan, Ahmed worked as in-house counsel for a major industrial group and later as the Country Legal Counsel for Citigroup in Egypt. He holds an LL.M in International Banking and Financial Laws from Boston University. Recognized for his legal acumen, Ahmed has been named a leading lawyer by IFLR1000 for the past nine years and is acknowledged as a leading individual in TMT by Legal500.
Recently, he is ranked as a âLeading Individualâ in the TMT sector by Legal500 as well as, he was selected by the IFLR1000 as a “Highly Regarded” lawyer from 2015 till 2023.
Related Sectors
Related Practice Areas
Representative Experience
Webex that develops and sells web conferencing, video conferencing and contact center as a service application in order to provide such services in Egypt. Our scope of work included the required licenses, legal requirements and legal restrictions in relation to such services.
The company business is complicated and not common in Egypt. In addition, the Egyptian Telecommunications regulations do not provide straightforward provisions governing Webex services.
Panasonic on transfer impact assessment, which includes determining whether the country of the data importer provides a level of protection essentially equivalent to that guaranteed within the EU.
Numerous international and local entities including Fujitsu, ACE Insurance, Monasnto, UBS, BG Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), GoDaddy Inc, Majid Al Futtaim Group, Panasonic, Deloitte, GoDaddy Inc and CSC on various data protection matters.
Advising on the registrations / licenses / approvals needed for IBM cloud products, with special focus on the Telecommunication Law no. 10/2003, National Telecommunication Regulatory Authorityâs (the âNTRAâ) Framework for Establishing and Operating Data Centres and Providing Hosting and Cloud Computing Services issued in August 2021 and NTRAâs Internet of Things (IoT) Regulatory Framework.
Dubizzle Middle East on reviewing and modifying their advertising agreement template in light of Egyptian law. Our scope of work includes making several modifications to the agreementâs template to comply with Egyptian law and to avoid certain risks.
STCS for IT on behalf of its parent company (Solutions by STC), on managing the liquidation process of STCS. Our assistance covered an initial comprehensive advice on liquidation of STCS for IT, drafting and authenticating the resolutions for the liquidation and managing the liquidation process with solutions by STCâs different stakeholders as well as the liquidator.
TikTokâs on reviewing and localizing a new platform (SoundOn) terms of use, privacy policy and cookiesâ policy in light of Egyptian law. Additionally, we clarified several important notes to be taken into consideration by the client while launching the platform in Egypt.
Paystack advising on the legal framework for the geographical expansion of  activities in Egypt.
Numerous international and local entities including Fujitsu, ACE Insurance, Monasnto, UBS, BG Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), GoDaddy Inc, Majid Al Futtaim Group, Panasonic, Deloitte, GoDaddy Inc and CSC on various data protection matters.
A Leading Tech Company on the launch of its gift cards, including licensing requirements under the Central Bank regulations, the nature of the topped-up funds, the nature of the relationship with customers, and the treatment of unclaimed properties.
Nestle on the acquisition of Pfizer nutrition business and the sale of its chilled dairy business in Egypt to Best Cheese Company as part of NestlĂ©âs worldwide joint venture with Lactalis.
LC Waikiki, Defacto and Azadea group on various aspects of their business including their online platforms.
Panasonic on transfer impact assessment, which includes determining whether the country of the data importer provides a level of protection essentially equivalent to that guaranteed within the EU.
Huawei on drafting a legal report on the importation and exportation processes for telecommunication equipment.
Neptune Energyâs Intra Group Data Transfer Agreement and assessing its compliance with Data Protection Law no. 151/2020. Additionally, based on our recommendation, we drafted a country-specific data transfer annex to be applied to the data transfer processes in which Egyptâs entity / Egyptian data subjects are involved.
Aosphere on completing a Rulefinder Data Privacy survey which consists of a detailed, comprehensive survey (100 pages) on all matters related to data privacy in Egypt. Our scope of work was mainly focused on Egypt and the provisions of the recently issued and first data protection law 151/2020. Covering key topics such as organization level data privacy requirements, consent, privacy notice, individual choice and data subject request, data transfer and localization rules, breach response and requirements for data processors.
Norton Rose in completing a Global Data Privacy Directory in respect of Egypt. Sharkawy & Sarhan authored the section on Egypt in Norton Roseâs guide for clients on data privacy laws around the world, which includes an overview of the relevant laws (if any) in each jurisdiction, the type of data that is protected and whether there are restrictions on offshore transfers.
Working with the Egyptian government on the draft data protection law. Ahmed proposed several changes that the government accepted and has been involved in the process of drafting the law.
OPPO on completing a comprehensive legal research and analysis questionnaire on several aspects relating to artificial intelligence under Egyptian law. Our scope of work includes covering several laws including the Data Protection Law, Cybercrimes Law, Telecom Law and several regulations.
Yazaki Europe Middle East Africa NV on reviewing and amending responses to a questionnaire on rules governing Data Protection Officers under the Data Protection Law No. 151/2020.
Education and Memberships
- IMD Board Director Diploma from The International Institute for Management Development â Global Board Center in June 2024.
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- European Data Protection Online Training. Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) in July 2022.
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- Audited Corporate and Project Finance Professional Certificate by American University in Cairo, School of Business and Economics, Cairo, Egypt in June 2002.
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- LLM, International Banking and Financial Law, Faculty of Law, Boston University, USA.
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- LLB, Cairo University, Faculty of Law, English Section, and qualified in 1999.
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Insights
Ahmed El-Sharkawy
Partner
Email:
Phone: (+202) 2322 5400 Ext. (101)
Fax: (+202) 2322 5401
Languages: Arabic, English
Related Practice Areas: Corporate & Commercial, Data Privacy & Cyber-security
Ahmed is the co-founder of Sharkawy & Sarhan and he leads the firm’s Telecommunication, Media and Technology (TMT) group. With over 20 years of diverse experience, he has built a distinguished career advising major financial institutions and technology companies on complex commercial and regulatory projects.Â
His expertise spans Digital Payments, Cloud Computing, Ride-hailing, Data Privacy and Security, Artificial Intelligence, E-signature, and Mergers and Acquisitions within the TMT sector.
In addition to his TMT specialization, Ahmed has extensive experience in Fintech and General Corporate work. He has played a pivotal role in numerous high-profile transactions and regulatory matters, providing strategic counsel that drives innovation and growth for his clients.
Before co-founding Sharkawy & Sarhan, Ahmed worked as in-house counsel for a major industrial group and later as the Country Legal Counsel for Citigroup in Egypt. He holds an LL.M in International Banking and Financial Laws from Boston University. Recognized for his legal acumen, Ahmed has been named a leading lawyer by IFLR1000 for the past nine years and is acknowledged as a leading individual in TMT by Legal500.
Recently, he is ranked as a âLeading Individualâ in the TMT sector by Legal500 as well as, he was selected by the IFLR1000 as a “Highly Regarded” lawyer from 2015 till 2023.
Representative Experience
Softline Group LTD on the acquisition of 49% of Digitech for Information Technology SAE, including the drafting of transaction documents and advising on the transfer of shares process before the EGX.
Go Daddy on understanding the rules that apply in Egypt around recording customer calls. Specifically, if they were to start recording calls.
STCS for IT on behalf of its parent company (Solutions by STC), on managing the liquidation process of STCS. Our assistance covered an initial comprehensive advice on liquidation of STCS for IT, drafting and authenticating the resolutions for the liquidation and managing the liquidation process with solutions by STCâs different stakeholders as well as the liquidator.
Aosphere on completing a Rulefinder Data Privacy survey which consists of a detailed, comprehensive survey (100 pages) on all matters related to data privacy in Egypt. Our scope of work was mainly focused on Egypt and the provisions of the recently issued and first data protection law 151/2020. Covering key topics such as organization level data privacy requirements, consent, privacy notice, individual choice and data subject request, data transfer and localization rules, breach response and requirements for data processors.
Yazaki Europe Middle East Africa NV on reviewing and amending responses to a questionnaire on rules governing Data Protection Officers under the Data Protection Law No. 151/2020.
Tiktokâs on the integration with another platform to create a “TikTok Marketing App” in Egypt. His advice mainly focused on issues relating to data privacy and requirements relating to Egyptâs media law.
Panasonic on transfer impact assessment, which includes determining whether the country of the data importer provides a level of protection essentially equivalent to that guaranteed within the EU.
Numerous international and local entities including Fujitsu, ACE Insurance, Monasnto, UBS, BG Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), GoDaddy Inc, Majid Al Futtaim Group, Panasonic, Deloitte, GoDaddy Inc and CSC on various data protection matters.
Conducting an extensive legal assessment for a tech giant on the lunch of its media platform in Egypt.
A number of media companies on compliance and on the licensing regime under the Media Law and its executive regulations.
A tech giant on the legal aspects of deploying artificial intelligence software in Egypt.
Nestle on the acquisition of Pfizer nutrition business and the sale of its chilled dairy business in Egypt to Best Cheese Company as part of NestlĂ©âs worldwide joint venture with Lactalis.
Several Multinational Technology companies on the new Cybercrimes Law.
Several Multinational Technology companies on the intermediary liability of online platforms under Egyptian Law.
Conducting an extensive legal assessment on the ride hailing regulations in Egypt, including marketing and employment aspects.
A Leading Tech Company on the launch of its gift cards, including licensing requirements under the Central Bank regulations, the nature of the topped-up funds, the nature of the relationship with customers, and the treatment of unclaimed properties.
LC Waikiki, Defacto and Azadea group on various aspects of their business including their online platforms.
