The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has amended its rules for youth dealing in securities listed on the Egyptian Exchange, lowering the minimum eligible age to 15 for national ID holders and increasing the maximum trading portfolio per eligible client to EGP 40,000. The changes were made through FRA Board Decision No. 286 of 2024, which amends Board Decision No. 23 of 2021. Eligibility applies to youth aged 15 up to under 21 and is limited to funds derived from their work and funds received for their expenses, with additional provisions for those aged 18 who are authorised by a guardian, a court, or by operation of law to manage their money in line with applicable civil and guardianship rules. The EGP 40,000 cap applies only to buying and selling listed securities and excludes specialised activities including margin trading and securities borrowing for short selling, and the FRA board may increase the cap by up to 10% per year. The amendments cite the latest change to the Civil Status Law that requires Egyptians to apply for a national ID card at age 15, and they retain requirements for securities intermediaries, portfolio managers and investment funds to produce a dedicated youth guide alongside educational and awareness materials on investing via direct trading, portfolios and investment fund units.
Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority 2025-01-06
Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority allows 15-year-olds to trade listed securities and raises youth portfolio cap to EGP 40,000
The Egypt Financial Regulatory Authority has amended rules to lower the minimum age for youth dealing in securities on the Egyptian Exchange to 15 and increased the maximum trading portfolio to EGP 40,000. Eligibility is for youth aged 15 to under 21, with specific provisions for those aged 18 authorized to manage their money. The cap excludes margin trading and securities borrowing, and intermediaries must provide educational materials for young investors.