In light of the growing influence of women in Egypt’s financial sector, Rania Yacoub, Chairperson of Three Way Brokerage, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) for the 2025–2029 term.
Yacoub emerged at the top of a competitive race, garnering 90 votes, the highest among all nine candidates contesting three board seats allocated to companies operating in the capital markets. Her election marks a significant moment for female leadership in Egypt’s non-banking financial industry, an arena long dominated by male counterparts.
She will serve alongside Ahmed Abou El-Saad, Managing Director of Azimut Egypt, and Shawkat El Maraghy, Managing Director at Beltone Securities, who received 78 and 75 votes respectively.
A Vote for Experience and Representation
Yacoub, a seasoned financial executive with over two decades of market experience, is widely recognized for her advocacy of financial literacy, women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive market development. Her election not only reflects her technical and strategic acumen but also signals a progressive shift toward gender-balanced leadership in Egypt’s financial institutions.
The vote, which saw the participation of 427 eligible members, comes in the wake of regulatory reforms introduced by the Egyptian Cabinet, requiring the board’s corporate representation to include a brokerage firm, a non-brokerage company, and at least one woman, wherever applicable.
A Competitive Race Reflecting Market Dynamism
The election featured a competitive field of nine candidates, including prominent names from Egypt’s financial services sector such as Hassan Shoukry (HC), Ramez Mehanna (Arab Finance), Randa Hamed (Okaz), and Mohamed Essam (Pioneers).
Despite a crowded field, Yacoub’s deep-rooted connections in the industry and track record in corporate governance and market development gave her a clear edge. She is one of only a handful of women to have previously served on the EGX board and is frequently invited to speak at regional finance and investment summits.
Women in Finance: Momentum Beyond Symbolism
Yacoub’s re-election comes at a time when Egypt is witnessing growing recognition of women’s roles across traditionally male-dominated sectors, including banking, investment management, and capital markets. Her leadership reinforces a broader national effort to increase women’s representation in corporate boards, supported by initiatives under Egypt’s Vision 2030 and international gender parity frameworks.
Industry analysts view her win not only as a personal achievement but as a symbol of structural transformation in the sector.
Looking Ahead
With a new board term set to begin, expectations are high for a forward-looking governance agenda. Issues likely to top the board’s priorities include market digitalization, sustainability in investment, and increasing the appeal of the Egyptian market to both institutional and retail investors.
