In remarks opening the Arab Businesswomen Council’s eighth session, Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority Chair Islam Azzam reported that women accounted for 26.9% of board members at nonbank financial companies in 2025, totaling 1,236. He linked the increase to governance requirements and regulatory incentives, including 50% reductions in certain fees for entities that provide more than 25% of their services to women and lower review fees for sustainability instruments such as women’s empowerment bonds. Women also represented about 52.8% of microfinance beneficiaries at the end of the second quarter, with 1.8 million women receiving EGP 33.7 billion, or about 45.4% of outstanding financing. As participation expands, the authority has strengthened customer safeguards through one-time password identity verification, real-time links between finance providers and the credit bureau, and mandatory use of assessments based on customer behavior analysis. Azzam also reiterated that regulated short selling is expected to launch within weeks alongside margin trading to support pricing, liquidity and investor participation. He highlighted the derivatives market and futures contracts launched in March, the first-time regulation of hedge funds, and plans for market making following its exemption from stamp duty.
Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority reports female board representation at 26.9% and reiterates short selling launch within weeks
Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority Chair Islam Azzam reported that women held 26.9% of nonbank financial company board seats in 2025 and represented 52.8% of microfinance beneficiaries by the end of the second quarter. The authority has combined governance and fee incentives with stronger identity, credit-check and behavioral assessment safeguards. Azzam also reiterated that regulated short selling is expected to launch within weeks as Egypt expands derivatives, hedge funds and market making.