West African students at Al Azhar University face increasingly tough socio-economic conditions. Many are obliged to earn an income by acting as intermediaries for entrepreneurs who are better established in Egypt. This paper argues that religious teaching networks underpin economic roles and commercial networks between Arab countries, Africa and Asia. It goes on to explore social spheres and physical spaces connecting migrant students within the enormous city of Cairo. This paper also questions the extent to which religious identity creates or structures specific commercial channels.