Emirates NBD Egypt Becomes the First Bank in Egypt to Join the “Risk-Sharing” Agreement with EBRD

Emirates NBD Egypt has announced the signing of a Risk-Sharing Facility (RSF) agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in a strategic partnership aimed at broadening access to finance for the Egyptian firms, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 

The agreement is designed to ensure the sustainable growth of these businesses and enhance their competitiveness in the local market. This partnership comes as part of the bank's strategy to support inclusive economic development, empower the private sector, and foster financial inclusion, by offering innovative financial solutions tailored to the needs of the Egyptian market and aligned with the national efforts to build a robust and sustainable economy.

The signing of this agreement is considered the first of its kind, with Emirates NBD Egypt becoming the first bank in the local market to join EBRD’s Risk-Sharing Framework. This step underscores the bank’s leading position in the Egyptian banking sector and its capability to forge impactful international partnerships that further elevate its role in delivering integrated banking services, accelerating digital transformation, and providing an advanced banking experience that meets the highest standards of quality and innovation.

In this context, Amr El-Shafei, CEO and Managing Director of Emirates NBD Egypt, stated: “This agreement marks a key milestone in our journey, and we’re proud to be the first bank in Egypt to sign this partnership with EBRD. This collaboration reaffirms the trust that such a high caliber international financial institution places in Emirates NBD Egypt due to its ability to create real and lasting impact within communities and supporting the national economy through fostering a strong investment climate and driving financial inclusion." He added: "As a trusted banking partner, we remain committed to empowering the private sector and supporting SMEs as key drivers of economic growth.

Through this agreement, we aim to further expand our financing services and offer innovative solutions that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Egypt's Vision 2030." Tamer Ragheb, Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking at Emirates NBD Egypt, also commented: “This agreement marks a significant achievement for the bank, as it encompasses both funded and unfunded facilities, providing us with increased flexibility in designing and delivering a wide range of innovative banking solutions. 

The new sub-loans will be directed towards supporting local companies with strong export potential, with a special focus on industrial enterprises contributing to import substitution and deepening local manufacturing. Under the terms of the agreement, EBRD will provide guarantees covering up to 65% of the value of each sub-loan issued by Emirates NBD Egypt.”  Emirates NBD Egypt is one of the leading banks in the Egyptian market and a wholly owned subsidiary of Emirates NBD Group.

As of December 2024, the bank's total assets reached approximately EUR 3 billion. The bank operates under a comprehensive banking model, offering services through a network of over 62 branches and 338 ATMs spread across all Egyptian governorates, supported by a workforce of more than 2,300 employees. As for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Egypt is one of its founding members and has been benefiting from its investments since 2012. To date, the bank has invested nearly EUR 13.3 billion in more than 200 development projects across the country. 

These projects span vital sectors including finance, food industries, manufacturing, and services, as well as infrastructure projects in the areas of electricity, transport, and water and sanitation. Additionally, the bank has provided technical support to over 500 SMEs, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy.