As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) to enhance youth skills through the Digital Egypt Builders Initiative (DEBI), the “AI for FinTech” Hackathon has officially launched under the umbrella of FinTech Egypt, a CBE initiative.
The Hackathon is designed to empower DEBI students to tackle real-world challenges within the banking sector, translating them into innovative digital solutions using artificial intelligence, data analytics, and advanced programming. The initiative supports Egypt’s broader digital transformation strategy and aims to cultivate a new generation of professionals capable of driving FinTech innovation across the country.
A graduation ceremony marked the conclusion of the event, where student teams presented their final projects to a panel of experts and key decision-makers. Among the attendees were Ayman Hussein, First Sub-Governor for the Information Technology Sector at the CBE; Hoda Baraka, Advisor to the Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Technological Talent Development; and Afdal Naguib, CEO and Managing Director of saib Bank.
In his remarks, Ayman Hussein emphasized the Hackathon’s alignment with the CBE’s FinTech and Innovation Strategy, underscoring the importance of its “Talent Development” pillar. This strategic focus aims to equip Egyptian youth with the technical and practical skills needed to compete in local, regional, and global FinTech markets.
Hoda Baraka highlighted the significance of collaboration between government institutions, the banking sector, and academic programs in shaping a skilled and future-ready workforce. She noted that initiatives such as the Hackathon offer students a practical platform to apply academic learning to real industry challenges, fostering innovation that contributes to the growth of Egypt’s digital economy.
Afdal Naguib described the Hackathon as a crucial step toward preparing Egypt’s future FinTech leaders. Serving as a practical graduation project for many DEBI students, the Hackathon allowed participants to address real banking sector challenges under the mentorship of saib’s FinTech team and other bank departments.
He added that the winning teams will receive further support to continue developing their projects in a professional banking environment. In addition to cash prizes, outstanding participants will be offered employment opportunities, reflecting saib Bank’s ongoing commitment to investing in young talent and integrating AI into financial services.
