Women accounted for 53% of all microfinance beneficiaries in Egypt during the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, underscoring their growing role in the country’s non-banking financial sector and the importance of women’s economic empowerment to sustainable development, according to Islam Azzam, Chairperson of the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA). Speaking at a seminar on Financial Inclusion and Sustainable Development, organised by the FRA in partnership with UN Women, the National Council for Women (NCW), the European Union and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Azzam said that around 1.8 million women benefited from microfinance during the period. They accounted for approximately 45% of the sector’s total outstanding financing portfolio, which reached EGP 74bn. The event brought together representatives from financial institutions, development partners and experts specialising in financial inclusion and sustainable development. Azzam said financial inclusion has evolved beyond expanding access to financial services to become a key driver of economic growth and efficiency. Broader access to appropriate financial products and services, he said, enables different segments of society to improve their living standards while supporting Egypt’s national development goals. He added that the FRA continues to enhance the legislative and regulatory framework governing non-banking financial activities to expand access to financial services and encourage innovation in products tailored to the needs of different customer groups, particularly women, young people and residents of underserved and remote areas. Azzam stressed that improving financial literacy remains one of the authority’s top priorities, describing it as a cornerstone of successful financial inclusion. He said the FRA is strengthening cooperation with domestic and international partners to implement programmes and initiatives aimed at raising financial awareness, improving individuals’ ability to make informed financial decisions, and increasing public understanding of their rights under relevant legislation and FRA regulations. He also highlighted the importance of cooperation with international institutions and development partners in transferring expertise and adopting global best practices, particularly those developed in emerging markets, to support the continued development of Egypt’s non-banking financial services sector. The seminar opened with remarks by Rehab Taha, Assistant Chairperson of the FRA, and featured two panel discussions examining recent developments in financial inclusion and the role of women in advancing sustainable development, alongside presentations showcasing successful initiatives and case studies. A view of the seminar Marwa Alam El Din, Officer-in-Charge of the UN Women Egypt Country Office, said that investing in women’s economic empowerment is not only a social imperative but also a smart investment that drives inclusive growth and sustainable development. She noted that empowering women goes beyond improving individual livelihoods, contributing instead to stronger families, more productive communities and expanded opportunities in education, healthcare, decent work and economic participation. Alam El Din highlighted the Tahwisha programme, implemented in partnership with the National Council for Women and the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), with support from the European Union and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as a leading model for advancing digital transformation and financial inclusion in rural communities. She explained that the programme enables women to access secure digital financial services while strengthening their financial management, savings and entrepreneurial skills. She added that, amid accelerating digital transformation and evolving economic challenges, there is a growing need for innovative financing solutions that address women’s specific needs while protecting them from financial exploitation and digital violence. In this context, she described UN Women’s partnership with the FRA as particularly important in strengthening the regulatory framework and promoting responsible finance. The seminar also explored the practical economic and social challenges facing development projects and initiatives. Participants exchanged experiences and discussed strategic approaches adopted by financing institutions to expand women’s economic empowerment, respond to evolving financing needs, strengthen governance frameworks and ensure compliance with lending requirements. The event was attended by representatives from the FRA, the FRA’s Regional Centre for Sustainable Finance, the National Council for Women, UN Women, the Egyptian Federation for Microfinance, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), as well as financial institutions, experts and specialists. The post Women account for 53% of Egypt’s microfinance beneficiaries in Q1 2026: FRA first appeared on Dailynewsegypt.
