Written by April was a special month for makers in Egypt — and for some from around the globe, especially within our GIG community. It was the month of Maker Faire Cairo 2025!
Since 2015, Maker Faire Cairo has been one of the first and largest Maker Faires in the MENA region. It’s a DIY festival that has consistently broken new ground by bringing together innovative underground communities, engaging people of all ages through edutainment activities, and raising awareness about the “Do It Yourself” culture, from crafts to technology. It’s a place where people show what they make and share what they’re learning.
The 10th edition of Maker Faire Cairo marked a transformational shift in the festival’s concept. This year, GIG member Omar Elsafty (aka Safty), Nadia Olabi and their team reimagined the event: they intentionally reduced attendance from 5,000 to 1,200 to create a more meaningful and intimate experience, attracting a highly engaged and relevant audience. The focus shifted toward members of the local ecosystem, especially those working on preserving and evolving traditional crafts, exploring how technology can support and sustain these practices.
For the first time, the Maker Faire featured a small but impactful group of international makers. Many GIG members participated, as did some influential makers, like the incredible Simone Giertz, who came to share her knowledge and inspire many maker content creators in Egypt.
One of the most memorable moments was the maker lunch in Dahshur Village, where we had the chance to connect more deeply, learn about each other, and enjoy a hands-on introduction to the beautiful tradition of creating objects using palm tree wicker, led by the village’s women artisans.
GIG was proud to partner at Maker Faire Cairo 2025. Our community manager, Fadia Elgharib, hosted two group networking sessions during the event. These sessions allowed makers to engage in focused discussions, explore potential collaborations, and build stronger community bonds.
Several GIG members played key roles in shaping this special edition:
- Saad Chinoy led a live demonstration of his project BrailleRap as part of the Faire’s station activities.
- With his background in content creation and woodworking, Asem Kamal joined other creative professionals on the panel “From Craft to Side Hustle.”
- Jay Cousins hosted a hands-on workshop titled “Trashforming Habitat” and presented a live demo called “Retrofitting Reality.”
- With her expertise in education, Leyla Yunis contributed to the panel “Learning in the Making: A Discussion Between Makers on Education.”
The Maker Faire featured vibrant activities: workshops, panel discussions, live demos, talks, and collaborative stations. The energy and creativity on display were nothing short of inspiring. We see this as just the beginning — the seed of our next regional gathering, and an opportunity to explore how GIG members can continue “GIGing” by supporting sustainability and empowering local communities in rapidly developing economies like Egypt.
We hope to see more of you in Cairo next year!
