The Financial Regulatory Authority recently published regulations setting out the requirements for establishment and licensing for companies seeking to offer certain non-banking financial services in Egypt (“Fintech Regulations”) which came into force on the 2nd January 2024. The requirements set out under the Fintech Regulations apply to financial technology (“Fintech”) companies seeking to obtain a license to offer mortgage financing, SME financing, microfinance, financial leasing, factoring, and consumer finance services. This marks a significant step for startups in the Egyptian market, providing needed clarity in the form of a unified framework for entry into such market.

The Central Bank of Egypt recently published regulations setting out the licensing and regulatory framework for digital banks in Egypt (“Digital Bank Regulations”) which came into force on 12 July 2023. The Digital Bank Regulations will effectively allow for the establishment and operation of digital banks in Egypt, thus taking a significant step in aligning the country with global trends in financial technology and catering for the needs of a growing Egyptian financial market.

The Financial Regulatory Authority recently issued decrees No. 139, No. 140 and No. 141 completing and complementing the Financial Technology L aw No. 5 of 2022 which sets out the framework for the development and use of Fintech in non-banking financial services. The decrees, which came into force on 11 July 2023, come as part of the FRA’s continuing efforts to transition Egyptian financial markets towards digitization by encouraging the use of Fintech.