Financial Inclusion Reaches 79% with 56.4 Million Active Accounts

Egypt's financial inclusion rate reached 79% in June 2026, with 56.4 million citizens holding active accounts that enable financial transactions out of a population of 71.4 million people aged 15 and above, according to the Central Bank of Egypt.

The bank said active financial accounts include bank accounts, postal accounts, mobile wallets and prepaid cards. According to its Financial Inclusion Datahub, financial inclusion has expanded by 229% since 2016.

The data also showed significant gains among women and young people. Financial inclusion for women rose from 19.1% in 2016 to 72.5% in June 2026, while the rate among people aged 15 to 35 increased from 36.3% in 2020 to 58% over the same period.

The Central Bank attributed the growth to cooperation with ministries and government entities through initiatives including the presidential Haya Karima programme, the Transforming the Livelihoods of Smallholder Farmers project, and programmes targeting women and youth in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Council for Women.

The bank is also developing the Second National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2026–2030 in collaboration with government partners. The strategy focuses on expanding access to and use of financial services, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, integrating the informal economy into the formal sector, promoting digital financial solutions, strengthening financial literacy and consumer protection, and supporting sustainable finance and green economy initiatives. It is being informed by a nationwide survey conducted in partnership with the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics.