The bank is bridging liquidity gaps and scaling inclusion to advance Egypt’s banking priorities
As banking markets in the Gulf and wider Mena region double down on SME support, liquidity resilience and digitised trade finance, Egypt’s private banks are increasingly aligning with these regional imperatives. Among them, Commercial International Bank (CIB) Egypt is emerging as a strategic player, advancing financial inclusion and digital innovation in one of the region’s most complex economies.
Driving digital ecosystems
In 2024, CIB Egypt accelerated its transformation agenda through a unique fusion of traditional banking excellence and digital infrastructure. At the centre is the bank’s e-Supply Chain Finance (e-SCF) platform, which as Egypt’s first digital trade financing solution of its kind, enables corporate buyers and SME suppliers to streamline invoice exchange, credit requests and early payments via a unified interface. The platform supports transactions in both local and foreign currencies and caters to a wide range of working capital needs, from purchase orders to warehouse inventory financing.
With a 108% year-on-year increase in total bookings and a 60% rise in transaction volumes, the platform is reshaping how credit flows through Egyptian value chains. By year-end 2024, total SCF loan bookings had surpassed £E6bn ($117.8m), with more than 40 companies onboarded. These outcomes reflect both market demand and CIB Egypt’s ability to bridge liquidity gaps without compromising supplier health or buyer performance.
Seamless experiences
In parallel, the bank has continued to reinforce its leadership in SME banking. Its SME loan book expanded by 44% in 2024 to reach £E12.4bn, while deposits rose by 51% to £E90.8bn. Trade finance activity also grew by 36%, underscoring CIB Egypt’s role in supporting cross-border business. Relationship-led services, bolstered by a workforce of more than 400 and a digital-first infrastructure that now powers 93% of transfers online, have enabled the bank to offer seamless experiences across all SME segments.
Product innovations such as ‘Flash Cash’ for small businesses and gender-inclusive lending platforms have further advanced financial accessibility. Loans to women-led businesses reached £E2.5bn, accounting for nearly 15% of the SME portfolio. Meanwhile, new credit risk guarantee agreements with the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD), Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) and US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) have unlocked more than $140m in SME lending capacity, particularly for underserved sectors.
Scaling impact
Beyond finance, CIB Egypt has leveraged partnerships with insurers, development institutions and fintechs to offer a full SME value proposition. Whether providing payment terminals to mobile businesses or enabling East African exports for local manufacturers, the bank has combined digital scale with contextual service. The e-SCF platform, meanwhile, continues to serve as a digital anchor for onboarding new customers, enriching procurement strategies and driving down financing costs.
These efforts have earned CIB Egypt the accolades of Best SME Bank – Egypt and Excellence in Supply Chain Financing at the Mena Banking Excellence Awards 2025 – Retail, SME & Digital.