Adly Wagih Thoma is a globally recognized leader operating at the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and socioeconomic development across the Middle East and Africa. With over two decades of experience spanning more than 85 countries, his leadership has been shaped by global exposure, disciplined execution, and a deep belief in development through collaboration. His career reflects a consistent commitment to building systems that enable people, industries, and communities to thrive.
Before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, Adly Wagih Thoma built a strong foundation in project management and complex operational delivery. This early exposure equipped him with the tools to navigate large-scale initiatives, align diverse stakeholders, and translate vision into measurable outcomes. Over time, he developed a distinctive approach to development—one that prioritizes partnership, long-term value creation, and practical execution at both local and international levels.
As Chairman and CEO of Gemini Africa,Adly Wagih Thoma led a strategic transformation that repositioned the organization as a leading development and innovation platform. Over the course of his leadership, Gemini Africa emerged as a catalyst for social entrepreneurship, creative industries, and inclusive economic growth, managing an extensive portfolio of national and regional initiatives. Today, the organization partners with leading international institutions and has empowered thousands of young people, women, and creative entrepreneurs across Egypt, with a particular focus on underserved governorates.
A Leadership Philosophy Rooted in Global Experience and Discipline
A defining chapter in Adly’s career was his time at Schlumberger, where he served as a Worldwide Project Management Consultant. In this role, he led complex projects and multicultural teams across continents, navigating diverse economic, social, and operational environments. These experiences became his primary classroom, shaping a leadership philosophy grounded in humility, service, and deep respect for people and context.
Adly often reflects that leadership is not granted by position, but earned through understanding and responsibility. His global exposure reinforced the importance of listening before leading, observing before intervening, and engaging people as partners rather than resources. These lessons continue to guide his approach to organizational leadership and ecosystem development.
With advanced academic and professional credentials—including an MSc, MPM, and PMP—Adly developed a rigorous approach to strategy and execution. He is known for his belief that vision without disciplined implementation remains theoretical. This conviction allows him to approach challenges with both structure and creativity, combining analytical problem-solving with adaptive thinking. In environments where many leaders choose between rigidity and spontaneity, he has learned to integrate both.
Choosing Purpose over Certainty
Despite achieving significant success in global corporate environments, Adly Wagih Thoma made a defining decision to step away from security and stability in favor of entrepreneurship and development work in Egypt. This transition was driven by a clear sense of purpose: contributing directly to national development by building entrepreneurial ecosystems rather than operating within established corporate frameworks.
This decision marked a turning point in his career. It reinforced his belief that transformative leadership often requires calculated risk and moral clarity. By entering uncertain territory, he was able to combine his global experience with a personal mission to empower youth, support women, and unlock the potential of creative industries as engines of economic growth. For Adly, purpose became the compass where traditional roadmaps no longer applied.
Gemini Africa: From Vision to Measurable Impact
Adly’s vision materialized through Gemini Africa, which was launched under Gemini Holding, led by Eng. Naguib Sawiris. What began as a youth-focused initiative was transformed into a multi-dimensional platform for development, innovation, and co-creation. Under Adly’s leadership, Gemini Africa adopted an execution-driven model that emphasizes clarity, accountability, and long-term sustainability.
His leadership approach is built on three core principles. First, clarity ensuring teams understand not only what they are doing, but why it matters. Second, communication; fostering open dialogue, trust, and continuous feedback. Third, co-creation; engaging stakeholders in the design and ownership of solutions. Together, these principles cultivate trust, encourage innovation, and enable teams to take ownership of impact.
Today, Gemini Africa operates across two primary pillars: social entrepreneurship and creative industries, with a strong emphasis on women’s empowerment, youth development, and regional inclusion. adly wagih thoma is also pioneering a third pillar focused on deep engagement with industry and private-sector partners, enabling entrepreneurs to access technical expertise, market opportunities, and tailored financial solutions. This expansion is complemented by the integration of AI-driven services and cross-regional partnerships spanning Africa, MENA, and Europe.
The organization’s impact includes:
- Over 20 national development programs delivered
- Programs implemented across Cairo, Qena, Luxor, Aswan, Minya, Assiut, and Sohag
- Hundreds of startups and MSMEs supported
- Thousands of individuals trained
- Partnerships with institutions such as UNDP, EU, GIZ, AfDB, USAID, UNESCO, and the British Council
CinemaTech: Redefining the Creative Economy
Among Adly’s most influential achievements is CinemaTech, the world’s first entrepreneurship track dedicated to the filmmaking and creative industries. Challenging the conventional view of cinema as solely a cultural or entertainment sector, he positioned creative industries as viable economic drivers capable of generating employment, innovation, and national value.
Recognized as a regional best practice under the EU-funded CREACT4MED initiative, CinemaTech addressed a structural gap in the creative ecosystem. Talented filmmakers often lacked access to mentorship, financing, and business infrastructure. CinemaTech introduced a systematic pathway from creative idea to sustainable enterprise, integrating entrepreneurship with artistic excellence.
The program’s model is built on clear roadmaps, empowered teams, and consistent follow-through. It has been implemented through partnerships with El Gouna Film Festival, ASRT, UNDP, the French Institute, UNHCR, and IEFTA, among others. Alumni have gained recognition at international platforms such as Cannes and Venice Film Festivals, as well as regional initiatives including the Egypt Entrepreneur Awards and Shark Tank Egypt. The launch of the world’s first CinemaTech Incubator further cemented the model’s global relevance.
Driving Social Impact and Resilience
Beyond creative industries, Adly Wagih Thoma has led numerous large-scale social and economic development programs, particularly in Upper Egypt. These initiatives focus on empowering women, supporting MSMEs, integrating refugees, and strengthening community resilience. His leadership is characterized by proximity to impact, working closely with communities, entrepreneurs, and first-time founders on the ground.
Key programs include SHEImpact (with UNFPA and Italian Cooperation), Uplift for Upper Egypt, the Upper Egypt Accelerator, Esna Tourism Empowerment, and refugee entrepreneurship initiatives. Collectively, these programs have supported thousands of beneficiaries and contributed to long-term socioeconomic inclusion.
Vision for the Future
Adly’s leadership is sustained by purpose and presence. He remains closely engaged with entrepreneurs, youth, and creative talent, believing that proximity to impact fuels resilience and momentum. Looking ahead, he envisions a convergence of creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship positioning the region as a global leader in inclusive growth.
His future priorities include expanding CinemaTech regionally, establishing a CinemaTech Hub in Upper Egypt, scaling women’s economic empowerment programs, deploying AI-powered entrepreneurial tools, and strengthening cross-border partnerships. For Adly Wagih Thoma, leadership is ultimately about service, adaptability, and building systems that outlast individuals.
