• Home
• Banks

 The National Bank of Egypt (NBE), in partnership with the German technology firm Giesecke+Devrient (G+D), has announced the launch of an eco-friendly version of its "Meeza" prepaid and debit cards. Marking a first for the Egyptian banking sector, the new cards are manufactured from sustainable recycled plastics, reflecting both institutions' commitment to sustainability standards and national mandates for a green economy transition.

Yehia Aboul Fotouh, Deputy CEO of NBE, stated that the eco-friendly "Meeza" card serves as a practical application of the bank's sustainable finance strategy. He noted that the initiative builds upon a two-decade partnership with G+D, which has consistently delivered innovative and secure payment solutions to millions of customers. Aboul Fotouh added that the launch reinforces NBE’s strategy to integrate sustainability principles across its operations, including financing renewable energy, supporting environmentally positive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and implementing internal paper and energy conservation policies.

Advancing a Low-Carbon Economy

Hossam El-Haggar, Head of the Administrative Support Group at NBE, emphasized that the new card supports the bank’s vision for a low-carbon economy. He noted that NBE plans to scale the issuance of the sustainable card to broader customer segments in the coming period. This rollout, El-Haggar explained, is the result of seamless coordination between the bank’s retail banking, administrative support, and marketing divisions, all aiming to solidify NBE's position as a regional leader in sustainable payments and digital transformation.

Ahmed Assem, General Manager of Giesecke+Devrient Egypt, expressed pride in the partnership, stating that modern innovation must balance technological advancement with environmental impact and societal value, all while maintaining rigorous security and quality standards.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Metrics

The new card is manufactured entirely from Recycled PVC (rPVC), significantly reducing reliance on virgin plastics and decreasing carbon emissions associated with production and waste disposal. Global industry estimates indicate that utilizing recycled materials in payment card manufacturing can reduce the total carbon footprint by 30% to 40%, while simultaneously mitigating plastic waste and enhancing resource efficiency.