The signing of the two cooperation protocols with the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Sonaa El-Kheir Foundation was witnessed by Dr. Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity, and Mr. Mohamed Gibran, Minister of Labor, in the presence of Mr. Hisham Okasha, CEO of Banque Misr, and Mr. Hossam El-Din Abdel Wahab, Deputy CEO of Banque Misr.
Ms. Hend Fahmy, Head of Financial Inclusion and Mortgage Finance at Banque Misr, signed the agreements with Dr. Mohamed El-Okaby, Assistant Minister of Social Solidarity for Strategic Planning, and Dr. Mostafa Zamzam, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sonaa El-Kheir Foundation, a member of the National Alliance for Civil Development Work.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from Banque Misr, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, and Sonaa El-Kheir Foundation.
The cooperation protocol signed with Sonaa El-Kheir Foundation for Development aims to enable Banque Misr, as the sole banking institution participating in the initiative, to provide financial inclusion products and services that grant individuals access to banking solutions, digital payment services, and microfinance opportunities. Additionally, the bank will offer training programs to support entrepreneurs.
This initiative is part of the National Project for the Development of the Egyptian Countryside – "Haya Karima" (Decent Life), a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Local Development, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, and the National Alliance for Civil Development Work. The project, named "Tamkeen" (Empowerment), aims to reach one million citizens over three years, delivering enhanced services to improve living standards for Egyptians.
The cooperation protocol signed with the Ministry of Social Solidarity focuses on providing financial literacy and inclusion services through the "Khatwa" (Step) program in collaboration with the ministry. This initiative aims to promote economic empowerment and financial inclusion among university students and their families across Egypt, with a particular focus on social solidarity units within Egyptian universities.
Dr. Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity, emphasized the importance of training initiatives and mobile banking units, highlighting their role in reaching a large segment of citizens in Haya Karima villages. She noted that the Ministry of Social Solidarity actively collaborates with leading financial and developmental institutions to maximize benefits for citizens.
Dr. Maya Morsy stated that training programs will be offered in economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, and general life skills. Additionally, 10 mobile training units will be deployed to provide vocational training in various fields, including handicrafts, traditional crafts, tailoring, electrical work, plumbing, computer maintenance, mobile phone repair, and language skills. These units will be fully equipped with the necessary resources to effectively deliver training sessions.
Mr. Hisham Okasha, CEO of Banque Misr, emphasized that the signing of these two cooperation protocols reflects the bank’s commitment to developing specialized financial inclusion models aimed at improving financial literacy and increasing awareness of banking products and services. This initiative is designed to expand financial inclusion, support entrepreneurship, and promote vocational and handicraft-based employment opportunities.
He highlighted that Banque Misr is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs by providing the necessary skills and training for business management and development, thereby enabling sustainable growth. He also stressed the importance of cross-sector partnerships between the public, private, and civil society sectors, noting that such collaborations play a key role in supporting national efforts to improve living standards, ensure financial well-being, and drive sustainable development.
Mr. Hossam El-Din Abdel Wahab, Deputy CEO of Banque Misr, stated that the signing of these two cooperation protocols aligns with the bank’s commitment to financial empowerment across all segments of society by providing accessible banking services and facilitating financial inclusion. This initiative supports economic growth and aligns with the state’s strategy to achieve financial inclusion for all segments of the population.
He emphasized that Banque Misr exerts all efforts to promote financial literacy, working to increase awareness, particularly among women, youth, people with disabilities, senior citizens, farmers, and entrepreneurs. He further noted that financial awareness is a core pillar of Banque Misr’s financial inclusion strategy and a key driver for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Dr. Mostafa Zamzam, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sonaa El-Kheir Foundation and a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Alliance for Civil Development Work, stated that the cooperation protocol between Banque Misr and Sonaa El-Kheir aligns with the foundation’s strategy to establish partnerships with leading Egyptian financial institutions. This collaboration aims to enhance economic empowerment services by providing training and capacity-building programs for all employable segments of society, equipping them with essential skills to improve their competitiveness in the job market.
He further highlighted that, in parallel with these efforts, Sonaa El-Kheir is committed to creating non-traditional employment opportunities for underprivileged groups through innovation centers for vocational training in both fixed and mobile units, alongside other unique economic empowerment initiatives.
Banque Misr remains dedicated to setting a positive example for institutions, which results in a positive effect on society as a whole. The bank continuously reinforces its commitment to sustainable development and long-term success and actively engages in initiatives and partnerships that contribute to community well-being and economic prosperity, reflecting its core values and strategic framework.
