EBRD Partners With The National Bank Of Egypt To Boost Egyptian MSMEs

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has extended a US$100 million loan to the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), a joint-stock commercial bank under full ownership of the Egyptian Ministry of Finance, to strengthen micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Egypt.

While the loan will target MSMEs operating in rural areas and businesses led by women and youth, the funds will be channeled through NBE, the country’s largest banking institution, to qualifying private Egyptian MSMEs.  

The initiative reinforces the established partnership between the EBRD and NBE, addressing the financing challenges faced by women- and youth-led MSMEs, as well as those operating in rural areas throughout the country.  

In a statement, Rania A. Al-Mashat, Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation and Egypt's Governor at the EBRD, said, "This transaction between our the largest Egyptian bank, NBE, and EBRD is a great example of how Egypt establishes International Financial Institutions (IFI) partnerships and how we are advancing private sector empowerment and mobilizing investment by expanding access to finance for banks and companies. This helps strengthen competitiveness, resilience, and Egypt’s transition toward a private sector–led, production-driven economic model in line with Egypt’s Narrative for Economic Development. These efforts go hand-in-hand with ongoing economic and structural reforms, including the ceilings on public investments, strengthening macroeconomic stability, improving business and investment climate, and accelerating the green transition.”

Greg Guyett, the EBRD’s First Vice President, added, “This new loan to NBE represents an important milestone in our longstanding partnership. Together, we are expanding opportunities for MSMEs across the country—especially for women- and youth-led businesses that are driving innovation and inclusive growth. We are proud to support the next generation of entrepreneurs as they grow their businesses and drive sustainable development of Egypt.”   

Additionally, Mohamed El-Etreby, NBE’s CEO, commented, “Our collaboration with the EBRD continues to deliver meaningful impact for Egypt’s private sector. This new facility allows us to channel vital resources to MSMEs, especially for women and young entrepreneurs, who play an essential role in driving economic resilience. At NBE, we are dedicated to expanding access to finance, strengthening productive capacity, and ensuring that inclusive growth reaches every part of the country.”  

The EBRD loan may attract additional investor participation, with potential mobilization of up to another $100 million in supplementary funding. 

As a founding member of the EBRD, Egypt has received over €13.8 billion in investments across 209 projects since the EBRD commenced its operations in the country in 2012. 

Pictured in the lead image is a scene from the signing ceremony between the EBRD and NBE. Image courtesy EBRD.