How Egypt’s Financial Powerhouses Are Fueling National Development
Egypt’s banking sector remains the backbone of its economy, with total assets exceeding EGP 9.5 trillion (≈$307 billion) as of Q2 2024. These institutions are critical to implementing Egypt’s 2030 Vision, financing mega-projects like the New Administrative Capital while serving 44 million+ customers through digital transformation.
The Complete Ranking
- National Bank of Egypt (NBE)
Assets: EGP 2.1 trillion
Type: State-owned
Specialty: Mega-project financing
Digital: NBE Digital (5M+ users)
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.nbe.com.eg - Banque Misr
Assets: EGP 1.9 trillion
Type: State-owned
Specialty: Industrial development
Innovation: Blockchain trade finance
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.banquemisr.com.eg - Commercial International Bank (CIB)
Assets: EGP 817 billion
Type: Private
Specialty: Corporate banking
Awards: Best Digital Bank Egypt 2024
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.cibeg.com - QNB AlAhli
Assets: EGP 785 billion
Type: Private (Qatar-owned)
Specialty: Green financing
Notable: EGP 15B renewable energy portfolio
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.qnbalahli.com - Banque du Caire
Assets: EGP 632 billion
Type: State-owned
Specialty: Retail banking
Program: “Your First Home” mortgage initiative
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.banqueducaire.com.eg - Arab African International Bank
Assets: EGP 521 billion
Type: Joint venture
Specialty: Trade finance
Network: 70+ branches
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.aaib.com - Faisal Islamic Bank
Assets: EGP 487 billion
Type: Islamic
Specialty: Sharia-compliant products
Landmark: Egypt’s first Islamic bank
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.faisalbank.com.eg - Housing & Development Bank
Assets: EGP 423 billion
Type: State-affiliated
Specialty: Real estate financing
Project: New Capital housing loans
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.hdb-egy.com - Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Egypt
Assets: EGP 398 billion
Type: Islamic
Specialty: Digital Islamic banking
App Rating: 4.8/5 on Play Store
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.adib.eg - Suez Canal Bank
Assets: EGP 376 billion
Type: Private
Specialty: Maritime trade
Unique: Suez Canal transit services
HQ: Ismailia
Website: www.scbank.com.eg - AlBaraka Bank Egypt
Assets: EGP 354 billion
Type: Islamic
Specialty: SME Islamic finance
Recognition: Best Islamic Bank 2023
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.albaraka.com.eg - EG Bank
Assets: EGP 321 billion
Type: Private
Specialty: Youth banking
Product: “EG Pay” digital wallet
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.egbank.com.eg - Credit Agricole Egypt
Assets: EGP 298 billion
Type: Private
Specialty: Agricultural financing
Parent: Crédit Agricole France
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.ca-egypt.com - Arab Investment Bank
Assets: EGP 287 billion
Type: Private
Specialty: Investment services
Program: Startup accelerator
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.aib.gov.eg - Ahli United Bank Egypt
Assets: EGP 265 billion
Type: Private
Specialty: Cross-border banking
Network: Linked to Bahrain HQ
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.ahliunited.com.eg - SAIB Bank
Assets: EGP 243 billion
Type: Private
Specialty: Treasury services
Rating: BB+ (Fitch)
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.saib.com.eg - Alexandria Commercial & Maritime Bank
Assets: EGP 231 billion
Type: Private
Specialty: Mediterranean trade
Coverage: 45 port cities
HQ: Alexandria
Website: www.acmbank.com.eg - Union National Bank Egypt
Assets: EGP 219 billion
Type: Private
Specialty: Emirati-Egyptian trade
Parent: UAE’s UNB
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.unb.com.eg - Export Development Bank of Egypt (EDBE)
Assets: EGP 201 billion
Type: State-owned
Specialty: Export financing
Initiative: “Made in Egypt” loans
HQ: Cairo
Website: www.edbe.org.eg - NBE Damanhour
Assets: EGP 187 billion
Type: State-owned
Specialty: Delta region development
Focus: Agricultural modernization
HQ: Damanhour
Website: www.nbe.com.eg
Sector Highlights
- State Banks Dominate: NBE + Banque Misr control 42% of assets
- Islamic Banking Growth: 4 of top 20 are Sharia-compliant (23% sector share)
- Digital Leap: 61% of Egyptians now use mobile banking (CBE data)
- SME Focus: EGP 580B allocated to small businesses
Key Sector Insights
1. Digital Revolution
- Mobile Banking Adoption: 61% of adults (CBE 2024)
- Leaders:
- CIB (Best digital experience)
- NBE (Largest user base)
- AlBaraka Bank (Best Islamic fintech)
2. SME Financing Growth
| Bank | SME Portfolio (EGP Bn) | Special Programs |
|---|---|---|
| NBE | 180 | “NBE SMEs” with 7% interest |
| Banque Misr | 150 | Women entrepreneur focus |
| EDBE | 45 | Export-oriented manufacturers |
3. Green Finance Initiatives
- QNB AlAhli: EGP 15B for renewable energy
- AAIB: Sustainable agriculture loans
- CIB: First green bonds issuance
Geographic Distribution
- Cairo: 17 HQs (85% of assets)
- Alexandria: 2 HQs
- Ismailia: 1 HQ (Suez Canal Bank)
Conclusion: Banks as Economic Catalysts
From financing the Golden Triangle to digitizing rural banking, these 20 institutions are transforming Egypt’s economy. With CBE mandating 25% of loans to SMEs by 2025, their role will only expand.
Sources:
- Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) – cbe.org.eg
- Banks’ official websites & annual reports (linked in each entry)
- Egyptian Exchange (EGX) – egx.com.eg
- Fitch/Moody’s reports (credit ratings)
- Reuters/Bloomberg (2023–24 updates)
