CBE: Decent Life Initiative Channels EGP 77.2 Billion into Rural SME Financing, Boosting Financial Inclusion for 1.2 Million Citizens
The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has announced a significant expansion in the banking sector’s support for the presidential initiative "Decent Life" (Haya Karima) between July 2021 and December 2025. Total financing for small and micro-enterprises reached EGP 77.2 billion, directly targeting 1,413 villages across 20 governorates. This financial influx aims to foster sustainable job creation and economic empowerment in Egypt’s most underserved rural areas.
The initiative’s impact on financial inclusion has been transformative, with the banking sector facilitating the opening of 1.2 million new bank accounts and the issuance of 1.4 million prepaid cards. To bridge the digital divide, the CBE oversaw the deployment of 1,318 ATMs and over 9.7 thousand POS and QR Code points. These efforts are complemented by a robust financial literacy campaign, featuring over 8,200 educational seminars that reached approximately 805,600 citizens, ensuring that rural entrepreneurs and craftsmen can safely and effectively navigate the formal financial system.