National Bank of Egypt gets $100 million boost to deepen SME lending

NBE secures $100 million to expand SME lending

At a Glance

$100 million EBRD funding allows NBE to extend longer loans for SMEs nationwide.
Financing targets youth-led and women-led businesses, addressing persistent credit gaps.
Initiative strengthens private-sector growth, job creation, and export-oriented SMEs in Egypt.

National Bank of Egypt (NBE), the country’s largest and most systemically important lender, has secured a $100 million financing line from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to scale credit to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

The fresh funding arrives at a time when Egypt is pushing to revive private-sector growth, expand youth employment and support women-led businesses across the country’s most underserved regions.

Boosting private-sector growth
The agreement, signed in Cairo by NBE chief executive Mohamed El-Etreby and EBRD First Vice President Greg Guyett during a visit focused on strengthening the development bank’s partnerships in North Africa.

The funding allows NBE to offer longer-term loans, improve access to capital, and reduce financing bottlenecks for small businesses. By focusing on youth and women entrepreneurs, the program aligns with Egypt’s economic recovery plan and export-oriented growth strategy.

EBRD’s strategic role in Egypt
Since 2012, EBRD has invested over €13.8 billion ($16.1 billion) in 200 projects in Egypt, emphasizing private-sector development, infrastructure, and financial inclusion.

This latest financing reinforces the bank’s commitment to empowering the next generation of Egyptian entrepreneurs.

Impact on SMEs and jobs
The facility is expected to accelerate private-sector growth, create new jobs, and strengthen manufacturing, agribusiness, and light industry sectors. By supporting SMEs, NBE plays a central role in Egypt’s broader economic strategy.

If successfully deployed, this $100 million injection will be among the most significant SME-focused investments in Egypt this year, helping businesses scale operations and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

Feyisayo Ajayi

Feyisayo Ajayi is the Publisher and Co-founder of Shore Africa, the flagship media brand under the Travel Shore umbrella. He brings over a decade of multidisciplinary experience across media, finance, and technology. Feyisayo holds a bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.