The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), in partnership with the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), has launched a series of Masterclasses called
MasterTalks to support best practices in inclusive banking, advance knowledge, and foster
innovation across the banking sector, in cooperation with the Federation of Egyptian Banks (FEB).
Broad Participation from Banking Leaders
The inaugural event brought together heads of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs)
units, financial inclusion managers from banks, and key stakeholders from Egypt’s financial
ecosystem, including the Credit Guarantee Company (CGC), the Egyptian Credit Bureau
(i-Score), and the Egyptian Banking Institute (EBI).
International speakers also joined the dialogue to explore challenges in operationalizing
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and global use cases tailored for emerging markets.
Focus on Digital Transformation and Financial Inclusion
The MasterTalks series emphasizes the importance of digital transformation in modernizing the banking
industry and demonstrates how emerging technologies can be integrated into financial systems.
Discussions highlighted the role of AI tools in improving access to financial and non-financial services for
individuals and MSMEs, helping meet diverse needs and opening new opportunities for financially excluded segments.
Supporting Innovation and Banking Capacity Building
This joint initiative reflects the CBE and EBRD’s focus on supporting innovation, enhancing banking sector
capacity, and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth within Egypt’s financial system.
It also underscores the CBE’s commitment to advancing financial inclusion, in line with Egypt
Vision 2030, aiming to economically empower citizens and expand access to banking services
through modern technological innovations.
Remarkable Growth in Financial Inclusion
These efforts have contributed to significant progress in financial inclusion in Egypt, with the rate reaching
76.3% as of June 2025, marking a 214% increase since 2016.
Over the same period, bank lending portfolios directed to MSMEs recorded a 395% growth.
EBRD’s Role in Egypt
Egypt is a founding member of the EBRD.
Since the start of the Bank’s operations in the country in 2012, the EBRD has invested
over €13.5 billion across 206 projects.
