Banque Misr, National Council for Women Sign Protocol to Boost Financial Inclusion and Women’s Empowerment
Banque Misr has signed a strategic cooperation protocol with the National Council for Women (NCW), reinforcing national efforts to expand financial inclusion by integrating women into the formal economy and enabling them to achieve financial independence and contribute meaningfully to economic development.
The protocol was signed by Hisham Okasha, CEO of Banque Misr, and Counselor Amal Ammar, President of the National Council for Women, in the presence of Ahmed Issa, Deputy CEO of Banque Misr, and Hend Fahmy, Head of Financial Inclusion and Mortgage Finance at the bank, along with senior representatives from the NCW and the Central Bank of Egypt’s financial inclusion sector. The ceremony underscored the significance of this partnership, which combines the bank’s longstanding expertise in the financial sector with the council’s central role in supporting Egyptian women.
Empowering Women Across 3,500 Villages from 2025 to 2028
The cooperation protocol aims to advance women’s economic empowerment and strengthen financial inclusion across governorates, districts, and villages targeted by the “Haya Karima” national rural development initiative and the National Project for Egyptian Family Development. The program will run from 2025 to 2028, covering approximately 3,500 villages nationwide under the auspices of the Central Bank of Egypt.
As part of the protocol, comprehensive training programs will be implemented to build women’s capabilities in entrepreneurship and financial management, enabling them to launch sustainable, competitive businesses.
In addition, tailored financial products and services will be offered to meet women’s needs, helping expand access to banking services and further integrating women into the formal financial sector. This expansion is expected to positively impact financial inclusion indicators at the national level.
Building on Proven Success in Women-Centric Financial Programs
The initiative complements Banque Misr’s ongoing efforts to support women, including the launch of “ZAT” – the first integrated financing program designed exclusively for women. The program combines financial and non-financial services, including funding, mentorship, training, and project development.
Hisham Okasha affirmed that signing the protocol marks a pivotal moment in Egypt’s broader efforts to empower women economically and enhance their contribution to inclusive development. He noted that women, in both urban and rural settings, possess extraordinary potential to drive real change when equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and institutional support.
He added that the bank is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable financial environment that offers female entrepreneurs access to purpose-built products, project support, and growth opportunities. “Our role goes beyond providing finance,” Okasha said. “It includes capability-building through training, mentorship, and a comprehensive support ecosystem that ensures the sustainability of their projects. Women’s empowerment is an investment in the future and a cornerstone of the country’s economic and social stability.”
Strengthening a Partnership That Has Proven Its Impact
Counselor Amal Ammar emphasized that the protocol reflects the success of the partnership between Banque Misr and the NCW over the past three years, which has yielded tangible advances in women’s entrepreneurship and financial literacy. She extended her appreciation to the bank’s leadership and teams for their efforts, highlighting the continued cooperation aligned with Egypt’s National Strategy for the Empowerment of Women 2030 launched by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
A National Role in Inclusive, Sustainable Development
Banque Misr continues to play a central role as a key partner in national development by promoting collaboration between state institutions, the banking sector, and civil society. This cooperation underscores the bank’s firm belief that women’s economic empowerment is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development and a foundation for a more equitable and resilient future for Egyptian families and society at large.