Commercial International Bank Egypt (CIB) has launched the Women in Business Empowerment Programme, a new initiative developed in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and supported by the European Union’s Financial Inclusion Initiative.
The programme is aimed at strengthening women’s participation in the SME sector by equipping female entrepreneurs with the skills, tools and financial support needed to grow sustainable and competitive businesses, in line with Egypt Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Targeted exclusively at women entrepreneurs who are CIB clients, the initiative combines non-financial services with tailored banking solutions. It offers specialised training and hands-on advisory support designed to improve leadership, managerial and financial capabilities across women-led businesses.
Key focus areas include digital marketing, brand development, business management, financial literacy and leadership, providing participants with practical knowledge to scale operations and improve long-term business performance.
In addition to capacity building, CIB is offering a range of financial products under the programme, including business financing on preferential terms, credit cards and innovative funding solutions. These are supported by integrated banking services such as payroll management, insurance solutions and digital payment options for government fees.
Eligible SMEs may also access advisory services funded up to 80 per cent by the EBRD, enabling women-led businesses to benefit from expert guidance in addressing operational and growth challenges.
CIB said the programme reflects its broader strategy of supporting inclusive economic growth by empowering women entrepreneurs to expand their businesses, create jobs and contribute more effectively to the economy.
The first phase of the initiative will focus on marketing strategy and brand building, with additional specialised tracks expected to roll out across other business disciplines over the next year.
Through the programme, CIB and its partners aim to strengthen Egypt’s women entrepreneurship ecosystem by moving beyond access to finance and delivering a holistic support model that aligns skills development with business financing for SMEs.
