EQI was founded in Egypt in 1981 as a private company engaged in the delivery of environmental consulting services. It has over 150 employees who implement projects primarily in the areas of: 

• Environment and natural resources management
• Enterprise development (including microfinance, business development services and policy support), and
• Governance

Operating primarily in Africa and the Middle East, EQI has worked extensively on USAID projects and is also a direct investor in sustainable development initiatives. Its investments, which are commercial in nature, are structured to bring economic gains to the local communities concerned, while preserving the region’s natural assets and cultural heritage.