As a catalyst for expanding financial inclusion for women across Egypt, Banque Misr and the National Council for Women (NCW) have signed a strategic cooperation protocol aimed at integrating women into the formal economy, enhancing their financial independence, and strengthening their contribution to national development.
The agreement was signed by Hisham Okasha, CEO of Banque Misr, and Counselor Amal Ammar, President of the National Council for Women. Senior officials attended the ceremony, including Ahmed Issa, Deputy CEO of Banque Misr, and Hind Fahmy, Head of Financial Inclusion and Mortgage Finance at the bank, alongside leaders from the Central Bank of Egypt and NCW.
Boost to Women’s Economic Empowerment
The protocol aligns Banque Misr’s long-standing financial expertise with the NCW’s nationwide efforts to empower Egyptian women. Supported by the Central Bank of Egypt, the initiative runs from 2025 to 2028 and spans nearly 3,500 villages across the country. It targets communities included in the Decent Life (Hayah Karima) initiative and the National Project for the Development of the Egyptian Family.
Key elements of the cooperation include:
- Comprehensive training programs that build women’s capacities in entrepreneurship and financial management
- Access to financial products tailored to the needs of women entrepreneurs
- Expanding the number of women engaged with formal banking services
- Supporting women-led projects to become sustainable, competitive, and growth-oriented
The program aims to strengthen women’s participation in the economy, enabling them to launch and grow resilient businesses that contribute to national development.
Building on Banque Misr’s Track Record in Supporting Women
Banque Misr noted that the new agreement builds on the success of “Zat”, the first integrated financial and non-financial program in Egypt dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs. The initiative provides funding, mentoring, training, and project-development support.
“This protocol marks a major milestone in our national efforts to economically empower Egyptian women,” said CEO Hisham Okasha. He emphasized that women in both rural and urban communities possess “exceptional potential to drive meaningful change” when equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and institutional backing.
He added that Banque Misr is committed to creating a financial environment grounded in inclusivity, fairness, and accessible innovation, ensuring that women-led businesses are supported not only through financing but also through training, mentorship, and long-term development frameworks.
NCW: A Proven Partnership Delivering Tangible Results
Counselor Amal Ammar praised the collaboration as a continuation of more than three years of successful partnership between the NCW and Banque Misr, resulting in notable achievements in women’s entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
She extended her appreciation to the bank’s leadership and its financial inclusion teams across governorates for their role in strengthening the initiative, affirming the NCW’s commitment to implementing the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030, launched by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
A Sustainable Model for Inclusive National Development
Banque Misr reaffirmed its role as a principal partner in Egypt’s development landscape, emphasizing that women’s economic empowerment is a cornerstone of inclusive growth and a vital investment in a more resilient and equitable future.
The bank continues to work with state institutions, the banking sector, and civil society to build a sustainable development model that empowers all segments of society—with women at the forefront.
