Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW) has convened a high-level roundtable under the Al Masriya Initiative, bringing together representatives from leading financial institutions and private sector companies to strengthen partnerships that support women’s economic empowerment and expand access to business opportunities across Egypt.
The meeting was held at the council’s headquarters as part of ongoing efforts to enhance collaboration among stakeholders committed to advancing women’s financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and participation in the formal economy.
Expanding Partnerships to Support Women’s Economic Participation
The roundtable brought together organizations that have received the Egyptian Gender Equality Seal, alongside institutions actively supporting women’s economic empowerment.
The discussions focused on identifying opportunities for greater cooperation between the National Council for Women and participating organizations to broaden women’s access to financial services, business support programs, training opportunities, and employment pathways.
Showcasing the Council’s Economic Empowerment Strategy
During the meeting, Mai Mahmoud, Director General of Skills Development at the National Council for Women, presented the council’s strategy for economic empowerment and highlighted key achievements and ongoing initiatives.
She reviewed the council’s efforts to support women’s transition into Egypt’s formal economy by helping entrepreneurs formalize their businesses and improve their long-term sustainability.
Mahmoud also highlighted the council’s participation in local and international exhibitions, which have created new marketing opportunities for women entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises, enabling them to expand their customer base and increase market access.
Al Masriya Initiative Roadmap Presented
The meeting included a presentation outlining the objectives of the Al Masriya Initiative, its implementation framework, and priorities for the next phase.
Representatives from participating organizations also showcased their own programs, services, and initiatives designed to support women’s entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, professional development, and economic participation.
The discussions explored practical opportunities for coordination and partnership to maximize the impact of existing programs while avoiding duplication of efforts.
Action Plan to Expand Women’s Opportunities
At the conclusion of the roundtable, participants agreed to evaluate the proposals presented during the discussions and incorporate suitable recommendations into the implementation plan of the Al Masriya Initiative.
The council will also map areas of cooperation with each participating organization according to its expertise, programs, and services, creating an integrated partnership framework aimed at expanding economic opportunities for Egyptian women and strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Broad Participation from Banking and Private Sector Leaders
The roundtable included representatives from a diverse group of financial institutions, multinational companies, and private sector organizations, including AstraZeneca Egypt, the Commercial International Bank (CIB), the Agricultural Bank of Egypt, Bank of Alexandria, Banque Misr, Juhayna Food Industries, Jade Textile, the Food Industries Chamber, Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel (Marriott International), Mozare3 Agricultural Services, Wadi Group, MDY Administrative and Training Services, and Al Eman General Supplies.
By bringing together financial institutions, private sector leaders, and development partners, the National Council for Women continues to reinforce a collaborative approach to women’s economic empowerment, supporting entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and sustainable economic growth across Egypt.
