Osama Kamal at PAFIX Opening: Financial Inclusion in Egypt Has Become a Daily Habit Thanks to Technology and ”InstaPay”

Sunday 8 November 2026 09:37

Media figure Osama Kamal, CEO of Trade Fairs International, affirmed that financial inclusion in Egypt has experienced a real breakthrough in recent years. It has transformed from an abstract concept that was difficult to spread into an ecosystem of digital services that citizens rely on daily, driven by the evolution of banking products and their ease of access.

A 13-Year Journey of Developing the Payments Ecosystem

Speaking at the opening of the 13th edition of the "PAFIX" exhibition and conference, held concurrently with the 30th edition of "Cairo ICT," Kamal explained that the event’s vision centered on financial inclusion from its inception, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and e-finance, headed by Ibrahim Sarhan. He noted that the term was unfamiliar and unappealing to large segments of society 13 years ago. However, simplifying services and offering them at affordable costs prompted rapid public adoption, clearly manifested in the widespread success of services like "Meeza" and "InstaPay."

Digital Infrastructure: The Lifeline of Financial Services

Recalling a past discussion with Ayman El-Bahwash (former General Manager of Cisco Egypt), Kamal highlighted that the internet has become a critical pillar equivalent to electricity, as connectivity outages now disrupt essential services, particularly banking transactions. He praised the efforts of the CBE and technology companies in strengthening the digital infrastructure up to 2026.

Future Aspirations and Enhancing "KYC" Procedures

Citing his conversation with Rania El-Nagar, Assistant Sub-Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, Kamal called for continued efforts to expand regional services, streamline interbank cooperation, and develop "Know Your Customer" (KYC) procedures to build a more flexible and efficient banking system ready for future demands.

PAFIX and Artificial Intelligence Challenges

Kamal concluded by highlighting that "PAFIX" stands as the region's premier platform merging the financial and technology sectors. He expressed gratitude to participating companies and sponsors, noting that the upcoming phase necessitates focusing on artificial intelligence applications to maximize their potential while mitigating risks.