The National Council for Women (NCW) signed a strategic cooperation protocol with Banque Misr on Monday, marking a significant step toward expanding women’s financial inclusion and supporting their integration into Egypt’s formal economy. The agreement aims to enhance women’s economic independence and strengthen their role in sustainable development.
The protocol was signed by Counselor Amal Ammar, NCW Chairperson, and Hisham Okasha, CEO of Banque Misr, in the presence of NCW Vice Chairperson, Dr. Nesreen El-Baghdady, council members, senior advisers, and a high-level delegation from the bank.
Supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment
Ammar expressed her appreciation for signing the agreement with what she described as “one of the oldest and most influential financial institutions in the Middle East and Africa.” She noted that Banque Misr—Egypt’s first national bank—has played a pivotal role in the country’s economic development for decades.
She emphasized that the new protocol builds on more than three years of successful cooperation between the two sides, which has already yielded major achievements in women’s entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Ammar extended her thanks to Okasha and the bank’s financial inclusion team for their role in advancing this national effort, adding that the partnership aligns with Egypt’s National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030, launched by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Ammar highlighted that more than 365,000 women across 21 governorates have benefited from past joint programs, including micro-enterprise support, financial awareness sessions, prepaid cards, free bank account openings, e-wallet services, and microloans tailored to vulnerable groups.
Women’s Exceptional Capacity for Real Transformation
Banque Misr CEO Hisham Okasha said the protocol represents a major milestone in national efforts to empower Egyptian women economically and strengthen their role in comprehensive development. Women, he stressed, “possess an exceptional capacity for real transformation when supported with the right tools, knowledge, and institutional backing.”
He said the bank remains committed to deploying its financial expertise to serve different segments of Egyptian society, with women’s empowerment standing at the center of its development priorities.
Following the signing ceremony, Ammar presented the NCW’s shield to Okasha in recognition of the bank’s longstanding partnership, while Okasha offered Ammar a commemorative crystal sculpture of the bank symbolizing the depth of cooperation between the two institutions.
A Tour Through History at Talaat Harb Museum
Following the signing, Ammar visited the Talaat Harb Museum, accompanied by Hind Fahmy, Head of Financial Inclusion and Real Estate Finance at Banque Misr, and museum director Shaimaa Salah. Ammar signed the guestbook, paying tribute to the bank’s historic legacy and its founder’s role in shaping Egypt’s modern economy.
A Nationwide Expansion From 2025 to 2028
The protocol covers the period 2025–2028 and is designed to broaden financial inclusion across villages and communities targeted by Hayah Karima initiative and the National Project for the Development of the Egyptian Family. The effort—supported by the Central Bank of Egypt—aims to reach 3,500 villages nationwide.
The agreement includes comprehensive training in entrepreneurship, financial management, and business development, enabling women to establish sustainable and scalable projects. It also introduces customized financial products and banking services to increase women’s participation in the formal financial sector.
The partnership builds on Banque Misr’s women-focused programs, most notably “Zaat,” the bank’s flagship initiative combining financial and non-financial support—from training and mentorship to project development—for women-led micro and small enterprises.
