The Financial Supervisory Authority and the National Women's Council of Egypt have signed a cooperation protocol aimed at improving financial awareness among women and providing more efficient and accessible non-banking financial services. The protocol seeks to promote women's entrepreneurship, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises, and increase their use of financial technology applications. This move supports Egypt's efforts to economically and socially empower women.
The protocol outlines several areas of cooperation, including the exchange of data and studies related to women's financial inclusion. The two parties will also work together to raise awareness about available non-banking financial services and implement financial education programs targeting women and girls. These programs aim to enhance women's ability to make informed financial decisions and protect themselves from financial fraud.
The protocol also focuses on building the institutional and individual capacity of women in finance and digital fields. The parties will organize joint events, workshops, and training programs to integrate women into the economy and promote their participation in investment and non-banking financial services. A joint committee will be established to oversee the implementation of the protocol and address any challenges that may arise.
The signing ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from both the Financial Supervisory Authority and the National Women's Council. Dr. Islam Azzam, head of the Financial Supervisory Authority, expressed his pleasure in visiting the National Women's Council to sign the protocol. He praised the council's efforts in promoting women's rights and developing legislative frameworks to support women.
Dr. Azzam highlighted the achievements of the Financial Supervisory Authority in promoting women's empowerment, including a requirement for companies to have at least 25% representation of women on their boards of directors. As of 2025, over 1,200 women hold positions on these boards, exceeding the required percentage. The authority has also introduced incentives for investment financing, including the issuance of sustainability bonds and reduced fees for women-led projects.
The Financial Supervisory Authority has reported significant growth in financing for microenterprises, with women accounting for 52.8% of beneficiaries in the second quarter of 2026. The total value of financing for women's projects reached approximately 33.7 billion Egyptian pounds, representing 45.4% of the total financing portfolio. The authority aims to continue supporting women's economic empowerment through such initiatives.
The cooperation protocol between the Financial Supervisory Authority and the National Women's Council marks a significant step towards promoting financial inclusion and economic empowerment of women in Egypt. The two parties will work together to address the challenges faced by women in accessing financial services and to create a more supportive environment for women-led businesses to thrive.
Key points
- The protocol aims to improve financial awareness among women and provide more efficient and accessible non-banking financial services.
- The parties will work together to promote women's entrepreneurship, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises.
- The protocol seeks to increase women's use of financial technology applications and promote their participation in investment and non-banking financial services.
