Financial Inclusion Archives - جريدة الاخبارية

Central Bank of Egypt Launches MasterTalks Series to Promote Innovation and Financial Inclusion

Posted on ديسمبر 15, 2025 by maryem

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.

Central Bank of Egypt Participates in the 12th Edition of the Digital Payments, Financial Inclusion, a

Posted on نوفمبر 17, 2025 by aberabozaher

In line with its progressive efforts to promote digital transformation and financial inclusion within the banking sector, and to align with international best practices in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) is participating in the 12^th edition of the Digital Payment, Financial Inclusion, and Digital Banking (PAFIX) International Conference and Exhibition. Held under the auspices of the CBE, PAFIX will take place in parallel with the “Cairo ICT” Fair and Forum from November 16 to 19, 2025.

Central Bank of Egypt

In this regard, H.E. Mr. Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the CBE, highlighted that the CBE is keen to participate in this annual event, recognizing it as a distinguished platform for exchanging views and insights on digital transformation in financial and banking services, which comes at the forefront of Egypt’s priorities.

Mr. Abdalla further emphasized that the CBE is committed to keeping pace with the latest technological developments, particularly in the areas of FinTech and AI innovations. He also underscored the CBE’s efforts to advance and harness digital payment systems and services that provide convenient and swift banking services to citizens, while adhering to best international standards that ensure the safeguarding of all financial transactions.

During the official opening of the Cairo ICT, H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, the Prime Minister, visited the CBE’s pavilion, where he was briefed on the CBE’s key strategic projects and initiatives in the industries of AI technologies, FinTech, and electronic payment systems and services, as well as their role in enhancing financial services and promoting financial inclusion.

A detailed presentation was provided on the services that will be availed through the “Digital Financial Identity” platform (Haweya), along with a demonstration of the remote customer identification process for opening bank accounts. Notably, this platform enables banks and financial service providers to conduct electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) verification, and allows the customers to open bank accounts and access digital services securely and swiftly, without the need to visit banks’ branches.

The CBE’s pavilion at this year’s edition features various activations and events, including an educational showcase on the historical evolution of financial transactions over time. It also hosts a series of panel discussions, with the participation of representatives from banks, FinTech companies, and entrepreneurs, on the future of digital transformation and the latest trends in FinTech. Additionally, special interactive activations are taking place in the pavilion’s “InstaPay” designated area.

Senior officials from the CBE are scheduled to participate on Monday and Tuesday in the conference sessions, which cover various key topics and critical issues, including unprecedented global shifts in the banking industry as well as the profound impact of emerging technological solutions – particularly AI technologies – on the roles, systems, and infrastructure governing this sector and its related services.

The sessions will be attended by a distinguished group of banks’ heads and executives, officials from entities and institutions specializing in FinTech and digital payments, in addition to international experts and analysts engaged with the latest developments in FinTech innovations, electronic payment systems, and financial inclusion.

DisrupTech Ventures Invests in Chari to Transform Morocco’s Retail Sector with Fintech

Posted on نوفمبر 8, 2025نوفمبر 8, 2025 by doha

DisrupTech Ventures, a leading early-stage fintech venture capital fund, has announced

its investment in Chari, a Y Combinator–backed Moroccan startup transforming neighborhood

shops into financial access points. This marks DisrupTech’s first investment in Morocco and its

second in Africa outside Egypt, highlighting the fund’s commitment to fostering fintech innovation

and financial inclusion across the continent

Chari: Turning Local Shops into Digital Financial Hubs

Founded in 2020 by Ismael Belkhayat and Sophia Alj, Chari has developed a licensed fintech

platform that enables thousands of informal retailers in Morocco to operate as financial hubs

for their communities. Leveraging a payment institution license from the Central Bank of Morocco

Chari provides digital payments, micro-insurance, and instant working capital, giving consumers

access to essential financial services previously unavailable at the local level

While its mobile app also allows retailers to order consumer goods from FMCG distributors with

rapid delivery, Chari’s mission extends beyond e-commerce The company is digitizing financial flows

in Morocco’s informal economy, reducing dependency on cash, and embedding financial solutions

into daily retail operations, effectively building the financial backbone of the informal retail sector

DisrupTech Ventures Supports Transformative Fintech Models

Mohamed Okasha, Managing Partner at DisrupTech Ventures, commented

Our investment in Chari is a key milestone for DisrupTech By enabling small shops to

serve as financial gateways, Chari is laying the foundation for an inclusive fintech infrastructure

in Morocco This is exactly the kind of transformative financial model we aim to support across Africa

With over 20,000 retailers already onboarded, Chari is rapidly scaling to become the leading platform for

commerce and financial services in Francophone Africa

Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Growth

Ismael Belkhayat, CEO and Co-Founder of Chari, stated

We are thrilled to welcome DisrupTech Ventures as a strategic partner Their support will

accelerate our mission to transform every corner shop into a financial access point, helping drive

financial inclusion and economic growth across Morocco and Africa

As part of the Series A extension round, DisrupTech Ventures will join Chari’s board of directors

working closely with the founding team to guide its regional expansion and fintech vision

About DisrupTech Ventures

DisrupTech Ventures is a Cairo-based early-stage venture capital fund dedicated to investing

in bold founders reshaping fintech and digital infrastructure in Egypt and beyond Since its founding

in 2021, the fund has built a portfolio of more than 25 startups in payments, embedded finance, lending

and insurtech, with backing from leading global LPs including IFC, Proparco, Avanz, MSMEDA, and Axian

About Chari

Chari is a Morocco-based, Y Combinator backed fintech and e-commerce platform

founded in 2020 by Ismael and Sophia Belkhayat Holding a payment institution license

from the Central Bank of Morocco, Chari enables retailers to access embedded financial services

including payments, micro-insurance, and working capital while offering a digital marketplace

for consumer goods Chari is committed to digitizing informal retail and promoting financial inclusion

across Francophone Africa

Egypt Welcomes PAFIX 2025 to Shape the Future of Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion

Posted on أكتوبر 27, 2025أكتوبر 27, 2025 by doha

Egypt is gearing up to host the 12th edition of the Digital Payments and Financial

Inclusion Exhibition and Forum (PAFIX 2025), the region’s most influential event for fintech

digital payments, and financial inclusion, under the auspices of the Central Bank of Egypt

The highly anticipated event will take place from November 16 to 19, 2025, at the Egypt

International Exhibition Center in New Cairo Held as part of Cairo ICT, the Middle East and

Africa’s largest and most prestigious technology exhibition and conference, PAFIX 2025 continues

to serve as a strategic platform for industry leaders, innovators, and regulators shaping the future

of financial technology in the region

Theme 2025: “Infinite Possibilities – Rewriting the Financial DNA”

This year’s edition carries the forward-looking theme, “Infinite Possibilities Rewriting the

Financial DNA,” highlighting the transformative power of emerging technologies—particularly

Artificial Intelligence (AI)—in redefining the global financial services landscape. The forum aims

to explore how AI, blockchain, and digital transformation are reshaping the rules, systems, and

infrastructure of the financial ecosystem

A Global Hub for Innovation and Collaboration

PAFIX 2025 is expected to attract over 1,000 organizations and 200 exhibiting companies

alongside renowned speakers and industry experts from across Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa

Through high-level panel discussions, the forum will address the future of financial identity, AI-driven

financial models, and the latest innovations in digital payments, digital banking, and fintech solutions

The event also provides valuable opportunities for attendees—including traditional and digital banks

fintech startups, and technology providers—to gain deep insights into

Global trends in digital banking and financial technology

Innovations in payment systems, blockchain, and digital assets

The role of RegTech, cybersecurity, and digital identity in building a secure financial future

Growth opportunities within e-commerce and financial inclusion ecosystems

Empowering the Fintech Ecosystem Through Strategic Partnerships

Beyond knowledge sharing, PAFIX 2025 serves as a powerful networking and collaboration hub

The forum connects CEOs, policymakers, digital solution developers, and fintech providers, offering

a dynamic environment to build strategic partnerships, exchange expertise, and explore new business

opportunities that foster growth and innovation across the financial services sector

A Catalyst for Digital Transformation and Financial Inclusion

Backed by the Central Bank of Egypt, PAFIX 2025 reinforces the country’s ongoing commitment

to accelerating digital transformation and enhancing financial inclusion across all sectors By

bridging the gap between technology and finance, the event underscores Egypt’s growing role

as a regional fintech hub, leading the transition toward a cashless and digitally empowered economy

About PAFIX

PAFIX (Payments, Fintech, and Financial Inclusion Expo) is the leading regional platform

for showcasing innovations in digital payments, fintech, and financial inclusion. Since its

inception, the event has played a pivotal role in advancing Egypt’s fintech landscape and

fostering collaboration among banks, regulators, technology companies, and startups

Central Bank of Egypt Unveils Banking Development Fund to Drive Digital Transformation

Posted on أكتوبر 11, 2025أكتوبر 11, 2025 by doha

In a strategic move to enhance the resilience and global competitiveness of the Egyptian

banking sector, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has officially launched the Banking Reform

and Development Fund, a pivotal initiative aimed at accelerating banking modernization and

supporting digital transformation in line with international best practices

The Fund’s Board of Directors (BoD) has been appointed for a four-year term and is chaired

by H E Mr Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the CBE The Board brings together prominent leaders

from the banking, finance, and information technology sectors, ensuring a broad and innovative

approach to sector development

Central Bank:Board Composition Reflects Cross-Sector Expertise

Central Bank The Fund’s governance structure is designed to provide strategic oversight with

a well-rounded mix of expertise It includes

Mr. Rami Aboulnaga, Deputy Governor for Monetary Policy

Mr Tarek ElKholy, Deputy Governor for Banking Stability

Five bank leaders elected by the Federation of Egyptian Banks (FEB)

Mr Mohamed El-Etreby, CEO, National Bank of Egypt

Mr Mohamed Abbas Fayed, CEO, First Abu Dhabi Bank – Egypt (FABMISR)

Mr Akef El Maghraby, CEO and Managing Director, Suez Canal Bank

Mr Tamer Waheed, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, AAIB

Mr Mohamed Abdelkader, Managing Director, Citibank Egypt

Three independent members from outside the banking sector

Mr Mohamed Abdallah, CEO, Vodafone Egypt & Regional Head at Vodacom

Eng Hoda Mansour, Vice Chair and MD at Sukari Gold Mines

Mr Tarek Abdel-Rahman, CEO, Bonyan for Development and Partner at Compass Capital

Strategic Priorities: Innovation, Cybersecurity, and Talent Development

Chaired by the Governor, the Fund’s inaugural meeting focused on laying out a strategic roadmap

defining priorities, and setting a robust governance framework The Fund will act as a catalyst for

change, supporting projects that aim to upgrade the banking sector’s technological infrastructure

enhance cybersecurity resilience, and build human capital capacity

Governor Hassan Abdalla emphasized that this Fund is a cornerstone in Egypt’s comprehensive

financial reform agenda, with a clear mandate to increase the sector’s efficiency, technological

adaptability, and global competitiveness He also highlighted the importance of drawing on diverse

sectoral expertise to guide strategic planning and execution

Fund’s Objectives: Digital Transformation, Financial Inclusion, and Resilience

Established under Law No. 194 of 2020 (Central Bank and Banking Sector Law), the Fund

operates as an independent legal entity affiliated with the CBE It includes all banks as

members and maintains independent financial statements

Its core objectives include

Enhancing national payment infrastructure

Promoting digital banking and FinTech innovation in Egypt

Addressing IT incidents and cyber threats effectively

Supporting business continuity and recovery plans

Strengthening financial literacy and expanding financial inclusion

Encouraging banking product and service innovation

Improving operational efficiency across institutions

Flexibility to Invest and Collaborate at National and Global Levels

Central Bank To achieve its mission, the Fund is authorized to

Establish or invest in joint-stock companies

Enter into partnerships, MoUs, and cooperation agreements with relevant local and international stakeholders

Promote knowledge exchange and drive cross-border collaboration for sustained banking sector growth

Central Bank: A New Chapter for Egypt’s Banking Sector

The launch of the Banking Reform and Development Fund marks a significant milestone

in Egypt’s journey toward a modern, inclusive, and resilient financial system Backed by

a strong governance structure and strategic vision, the Fund is set to play a transformative

role in supporting innovation, protecting digital infrastructure, and building a future-ready banking ecosystem

Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt Meets with the Chairman of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion

Posted on أبريل 8, 2025 by aberabozaher

Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt Meets with the Chairman of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion

Mr. Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), welcomed Dr. Alfred Hannig, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), on Monday, 7th of April, 2025, in the presence of a number of CBE’s officials.

Central Bank of Egypt

The Governor commenced the meeting by expressing his appreciation for the fruitful cooperation between the CBE and the Alliance for Financial Inclusion, through availing access to learn from the international best practices in the field of financial inclusion, and supports the exchange of scientific expertise with central banks and relevant regulatory authorities in member states.

Mr. Abdalla also showcased the strides achieved by the CBE, in cooperation with the banking sector and relevant

ministries and authorities, in line with the Egyptian state’s vision to achieve economic empowerment for all segments of society, especially women, youth, Persons with Disabilities (PWD’s), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and entrepreneurs.

These achievements were built up on the foundation of an accommodating legislative and regulatory ecosystem, and the launch of incentive initiatives, which contributed to increasing financial inclusion rates in Egypt to reach 74.8% by the end of 2024.

For his part, Dr. Hannig, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI) commended Egypt’s pioneering experience as a front runner in financial inclusion and sustainable finance, acknowledging its advancements in this field as a role model. He stated that AFI is actively collaborating with the CBE to extend this expertise to various countries through facilitating peer to peer knowledge exchange to benefit from the CBE’s efforts in this regard.

Worth mentioning, in 2013, the CBE joined AFI, which was established in 2009. The Alliance comprises over 90 financial institutions, central banks, and regulatory bodies from 83 countries. AFI aims to develop the tools utilized to promote financial inclusion, exchange technical and practical experiences between countries, and assist members in the formulation and implementation of economic policies and reform strategies.