Ahmed Mohamed Hassanein Heikal (Arabic: ãÃÂàï àÃÂàï ÃÂóÃÂÃÂàÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ) 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.
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.
Heikal started his career as an academic and consultant before joining EFG Hermes, one of the Middle East's leading financial services institutions.
In 2004, Heikal co-founded Citadel Capital, which later rebranded as Qalaa Holdings. It grew into one of Africa's largest investment holding companies.
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.
Heikal is the son of a journalist, author and political commentator Mohamed Hassanein Heikal.