As part of its continuous efforts to empower young talents and strengthen Egypt’s
position as a regional hub for financial technology, the Central Bank of Egypt
(CBE) has launched the third edition of “FinTech Got Talent 2025” through its
FinYology Initiative under the umbrella of FinTech Egypt, in collaboration with
the Federation of Egyptian Banks and the Egyptian Banking Institute.
The competition aims to discover, mentor, and promote the most innovative student
projects in FinTech, aligning with the CBE’s strategy to foster digital transformation
and financial inclusion across Egypt.
Official Launch with CBE and Banking Sector Leaders
The Central Bank of Egypt hosted the official launch ceremony, where
Mr. Rami Aboul Naga, Deputy Governor of the CBE, delivered the opening speech.
He emphasized that the competition reflects the CBE’s strategy for FinTech and innovation,
which focuses on developing youth capabilities and providing them with the
essential skills to meet evolving job market demands.
Aboul Naga also highlighted that this initiative demonstrates strong institutional
integration between the banking sector and the academic community, underscoring
the state’s commitment to digital transformation, financial inclusion, and creating a
supportive innovation ecosystem for young Egyptians.
Competition Stages and Selection of 11 Innovative Projects
The FinTech Got Talent 2025 competition went through several stages, starting with
university-level qualifiers and concluding with the selection of the top 11 projects, which
were incubated for one month at DMZ Cairo, a renowned startup incubator.
During this period, the teams received training and mentoring to turn their ideas into
real-world digital financial solutions, culminating in the announcement of three
winning projects that stood out for their creativity and potential market impact.
Winning Teams and Their Innovative Projects
1st Place – ESLSCA University:
Project Tapay, a mobile application that transforms smartphones into contactless
payment devices, enabling merchants to accept digital payments without traditional POS terminals.
2nd Place – The British University in Egypt:
Project Money Adventure, the first interactive app designed to promote financial
literacy among children through gamified learning experiences.
3rd Place – Cairo University:
Project AgriDawar, a digital platform connecting farmers directly with agricultural
waste buyers using e-payment systems and digital wallets to ensure transparent
and instant financial transactions.
Egyptian Teams Shine in the Arab FinTech Competition
The three winning teams earned the opportunity to represent Egypt in the Arab FinTech Competition, held in Dubai in October 2025, where ESLSCA University and The British University in Egypt achieved first and second places, outperforming teams from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Morocco.
Dr. Rasha Negm, Assistant Sub-Governor of the CBE, praised the students’ remarkable performance, noting that their success reflects Egypt’s growing leadership in financial innovation and reinforces the country’s position as a regional hub for FinTech excellence.
FinYology Initiative: Building the Next Generation of FinTech Leaders
Launched in 2023, the FinYology Initiative is the first national program designed to
integrate university students into real-world financial technology environments, offering
hands-on training and exposure to innovation in the banking and FinTech sectors.
To date, the initiative has engaged over 30 Egyptian universities, produced more
than 900 student-led projects, and involved around 19,000 students, with the
support of 18 Egyptian banks.
This reflects the Central Bank of Egypt’s commitment to youth
empowerment, entrepreneurship, and fostering a thriving FinTech ecosystem
that drives Egypt’s digital economy forward.
CBE’s Vision for Digital Transformation and Financial Inclusion
CBE officials affirmed that supporting financial technology lies at the heart of Egypt’s
digital transformation strategy.
Initiatives such as FinTech Got Talent embody the successful collaboration between
the banking sector and academic institutions, aimed at equipping a new generation
of innovators with the tools and mindset to lead Egypt’s digital financial future.
