EBRD Puts $100mln behind Banque du Caire’s ESG, digital push

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is investing $100 million in Banque du Caire (BdC) to support improvements in corporate governance, digitalization, cybersecurity, and environmental, social and climate-related practices following the bank’s initial public offering (IPO).

The investment gives the EBRD a 6.9% stake in the bank and forms part of a combined $200 million commitment by the EBRD and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is also investing $100 million in the offering.

The EBRD will also provide technical cooperation to strengthen Banque du Caire’s digital transformation, cybersecurity, and environmental and social risk-management capabilities, supporting its transition to listed-company standards.

Governance, sustainability:

The investment is part of the EBRD’s support for Egypt’s capital market development. The IPO involves listing 45% of Banque du Caire’s common shares on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX), marking a step toward greater private-sector participation in the banking sector.

Francis Malige, EBRD Managing Director for Financial Institutions, described the IPO as a landmark transaction for Banque du Caire.

“The EBRD invests as a long-term institutional investor, helping to achieve broad private ownership, attract institutional capital and reinforce confidence in Egypt’s structural reform agenda. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Banque du Caire and supporting the bank’s next development phase as a publicly listed bank,” he said.

Supporting bank’s development:

Hussein Abaza, CEO and Managing Director of Banque du Caire, said the IPO marked a defining milestone in the bank’s history and a new chapter in its development.

“It reflects the strength of our banking franchise, the resilience of our business model and the confidence of investors in the bank’s strategic direction and long-term prospects,” he said.

Abaza added that the bank valued the EBRD’s participation as a long-term institutional investor and looked forward to strengthening the partnership to support its next phase of development.

Banking sector profile:

As of June 30, 2026, Banque du Caire was Egypt’s fourth-largest bank by total assets, excluding state-owned Banque Misr and the National Bank of Egypt.

The bank provides corporate, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), retail, microfinance, private banking, investment banking, and brokerage services.

The EBRD has invested more than €16 billion in 238 projects across Egypt since beginning operations in the country in 2012.