ENHANCING SECURITY STANDARDS IN EGYPT: THE ICOCA EGYPT CHAPTER

ICoCA launches its first national Chapter in Egypt

November 2025 marked a major milestone for responsible security practices in Egypt with the official launch of the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA) Egypt Chapter. Led by Lafarge Cement Egypt, All Care Group and the Embassy of Canada to Egypt, the Chapter aims to strengthen ethical standards and accountability within the private security sector, aligning local practices with globally recognised norms.

In this article, the Chapter’s co-founders – Ahmed El Serafy (Director of Security & Resilience, Lafarge Cement Egypt), Ahmed Manzour (President, All Care Group) and Tariq Gordon (Counsellor, Embassy of Canada to Egypt) – reflect on the importance of responsible security standards in Egypt, the objectives and added value of the Chapter, and what this development means for the future of the sector.

Why security standards matter in Egypt

In Egypt, all private security companies must be fully owned by Egyptian citizens and licensed by the Ministry of Interior. With hundreds of companies offering security-related services, clients often face challenges in navigating the market and finding the right fit for their operations.

While large corporations sometimes choose to manage their own guard forces, smaller-scale operations often find it more cost-effective to contract private security services. For international companies and diplomatic missions, ICoCA membership provides peace of mind and ensures due diligence when selecting local security providers.

What does ICoCA membership mean?

ICoCA certified membership requires companies to be certified by an accepted certification body to at least one of the international standards ICoCA recognises, ISO 18788 being the most common land-based standard, ensuring that licensed private security firms also meet international standards for security operations. Beyond ISO compliance, membership demonstrates a commitment to:

• Local labour laws
• Fair and liveable wages, and ethical treatment of security personnel
• The International Code of Conduct and global best practices

This is critical in a market where the current economic situation created operational challenges for private security companies. Recognising the value of ICoCA membership helps procurement offices avoid prioritising the lowest bid – a practice that often pressures companies to keep costs low, including salaries and training.

How the Egypt Chapter came to life

The idea for an Egypt Chapter emerged during a May 2025 conference hosted by Lafarge Cement Egypt, part of the Holcim Group, an ICoCA Observer. Organised by Ahmed El Serafy, Lafarge’s Director of Security & Resilience, the event featured a presentation by Chris Galvin from ICoCA, introducing the association to corporate security managers and private security firms.

During informal discussions, Ahmed Manzour, President of All Care Group, an ICoCA PSC Member, raised a key issue: limited awareness of ICoCA in Egypt – even among foreign embassies and international companies with Observer status. This lack of recognition made it difficult for local firms to justify the investment in ICoCA membership without corresponding commercial interest.

From these observations, the concept of an Egypt Chapter was born: to raise awareness and foster professional networking.

By October 2025, Counsellor Tariq Gordon responsible for security at the Embassy of Canada to Egypt convened a meeting with key stakeholders, including the Australian and Swiss Embassies, ABB, BP, Holcim Group, Philip Morris, All Care and Eagles. The group agreed to establish an ICoCA Egypt Chapter with the goal of driving these concepts.

The launch event

On 17 November 2025, the Embassy of Canada hosted a landmark event to advance responsible security practices. The day began with the inaugural meeting of the ICoCA Egypt Chapter, followed by a roundtable discussion hosted by Canadian Ambassador Ulric Shannon, featuring ICoCA representatives Chris Galvin and Nada Bessassi. The session introduced ICoCA principles to members of the Egypt Corporate Security Network (ECSN), emphasising global standards for ethics and accountability in private security operations.

The evening featured the Second Annual Diplomatic Security Reception, attended by a diverse group of stakeholders – airlines, hotels, hospitals, international companies, embassies and private security firms. Special guests included representatives from the Egyptian Ministry of Interior, the Egyptian Accreditation Council (EGAC), International Quality Services (IQS Egypt) and ICoCA delegates from Geneva.

Key highlights from 2025

• The Egyptian Accreditation Council is now accrediting Certification Bodies to ISO 18788, making Egypt only the fourth National Accreditation Body worldwide to adopt this standard. This development opens the regional market to ISO 18788 and ICoCA certification.
• All Care Security became the first Egyptian company to earn ISO 18788 certification, a key requirement for full ICoCA membership.
• Middle East Security formally applied for ICoCA affiliation and was granted Afiliate status on 1 December 1 2025; with other companies in the process.

The event showcased collaboration between regulators, private operators and international bodies, reinforcing Egypt’s commitment to professionalism and global best practices. Private security companies – including All Care, Eagles, Elite, Forces Plus, Magnum, and Middle East Security – displayed their services in dedicated booths, fostering networking and partnerships.

Why it matters

The launch of the ICoCA Egypt Chapter signals a new era for security standards in Egypt, one rooted in transparency, accountability and international cooperation.

Notably, the Egypt Chapter is the first country Chapter for ICoCA, providing a model to replicate globally. The ICoCA Secretariat has developed Terms of Reference (TORs) for country Chapters, encouraging stakeholders worldwide to create local networks that raise the bar on professional standards and international certification.