Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB) has announced the launch of the Women in Business (WIB) Empowerment Program, developed in collaboration with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and supported by the European Union’s Financial Inclusion Initiative. The program reflects CIB’s continued commitment to expanding women’s economic participation and strengthening their ability to grow and compete in the marketplace, in line with Egypt Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The WIB Empowerment Program offers a comprehensive suite of non-financial services designed to meet the diverse needs of women entrepreneurs at different stages of their business journeys. It combines specialized training programs with hands-on advisory support aimed at enhancing leadership, managerial, and financial capabilities. The program covers critical areas such as digital marketing, brand development, business management, financial literacy, and leadership, enabling participants to gain strategic tools and practical knowledge that support business sustainability and long-term growth.
Offered exclusively to women entrepreneurs who are CIB clients, the program integrates non-financial support with tailored financial solutions that facilitate business expansion. CIB positions itself as a long-term financial partner by providing access to credit cards, preferential corporate financing facilities, and innovative funding solutions, alongside integrated services such as payroll management, insurance offerings, and government payment services through the bank’s channels. This holistic approach aims to enhance operational efficiency and support women-led businesses in achieving their growth objectives.
Eligible participants also have access to EBRD-funded advisory services, with support covering up to 80 percent of consulting costs. This component of the program targets to ease access to specialized expertise and professional guidance, helping women entrepreneurs navigate daily operational and strategic challenges while strengthening their competitive positioning.
Commenting on the launch, Yasser Abdallah, Deputy CEO for Retail and Commercial Banking at CIB, said the program represents an extension of the bank’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs and strengthening their integration into the formal economy. He emphasized that empowering women is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic investment in a more inclusive and sustainable future, noting that the partnership with EBRD enables CIB to deliver an integrated ecosystem of non-financial services that aligns with the evolving needs of women in business.
Hany El-Dib, Head of SMEs and Business Banking at CIB, noted that supporting women entrepreneurs extends beyond providing access to finance. He highlighted that the WIB Empowerment Program focuses on building capabilities and equipping women with practical tools in areas such as management, financial literacy, marketing, and business development, enabling them to expand their businesses with confidence and achieve both financial and non-financial goals.
The program officially launches in November 2025, with the first phase centered on marketing strategies and brand-building. Additional specialized tracks covering a range of business disciplines are expected to be rolled out over the course of the following year.
From the EBRD side, Dr. Yehia El-Husseiny, Head of Advisory Services, SME Finance and Development at EBRD Egypt, stated that the bank is proud to partner with CIB on an initiative aimed at strengthening the ecosystem for women-led enterprises in Egypt. He explained that the program is designed to equip women-led small and medium-sized enterprises with the practical skills and expertise required to unlock their full potential and contribute more effectively to local economic development.
Through initiatives such as the WIB Empowerment Program, CIB continues to play an active role in advancing women’s participation in economic life by placing their needs at the center of its strategy. The bank views investment in women’s empowerment as a cornerstone of sustainable development and inclusive economic growth, reinforcing its position as a leading financial institution in delivering innovative banking solutions and tailored non-financial services that support entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and long-term economic resilience in Egypt.
