•  AAIB and MSMEDA sign an EGP 150M agreement to support Egypt’s productive small and medium businesses.
• Loans will target industrial projects, exporters, and women-led businesses across all governorates.
• AAIB will offer loans up to EGP 30 million for existing and new businesses under MSMEDA’s national strategy.

AAIB

Egypt’s small business sector just landed a major cash injection, and this time, industry is front and center.

So what is happening? The Arab African International Bank (AAIB) inked a new EGP 150 million financing agreement with the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) to finance to SMEs across Egypt. 

The focus? Productive, export-oriented, and industrial businesses that can generate jobs and growth. It will also focus on new projects and women-owned businesses.

This falls under Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s directives to expand the financing for MSMEs. This is to increase production, create job opportunities, and contribute to developing the national economy. Furthermore, the move comes as Egypt pushes to localize industry and expand productive capacity.

MSMEDA has been ramping up efforts to work with banks and institutions to decentralize access to finance. With a focus on underserved areas and marginalized groups.

What’s next? With a portfolio that’s already topped EGP 10 billion and grown 4x, the AAIB is betting on local entrepreneurs, especially those outside the capital. 

The bank says over 800 SMEs are already on its books, with a growing number of industrial clients. It is also eyeing exporters as part of its push to boost Egypt’s trade capacity.

Under the deal, small projects can borrow up to EGP 15 million, while medium-sized ones can go up to EGP 30 million. Funds can cover machinery, working capital, and everything in between, with a priority for new projects and women-led ventures.

Bottom line: This is not just another SME loan. It is targeted capital aimed at real industrial growth.