The session titled “Financial Inclusion in the Era of Modern Work Models: Greater Empowerment, Broader Opportunities” was held as part of the WorkShift 2026 Summit, Egypt’s leading executive platform dedicated to freelancing, remote work, and the digital economy.
The session was moderated by Dr. Lamis Ali Nagm, an expert in sustainable development strategies and corporate social responsibility, and a prominent advocate for women’s empowerment.
She highlighted that financial inclusion in Egypt has become a core pillar of economic transformation over recent years, particularly amid the rapid growth of freelance and digital work models.
Central Bank: Financial Inclusion Must Reach Underserved Groups
Sally Abdel Kader, General Manager of Financial Literacy at the Financial Inclusion Sector of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), stated that the bank is actively working to extend financial services to underserved and financially excluded segments of society.
She emphasized that achieving true financial inclusion requires collaboration across the entire financial ecosystem, including banks, institutions, and civil society organizations.
Abdel Kader noted that key target groups include women, freelancers, and persons with disabilities, stressing that financial inclusion is not only about access to services but also about financial education and awareness.
She also highlighted the growing potential of Egypt’s freelance economy, which can contribute significantly to economic growth by developing localized financial solutions tailored to independent professionals.
In cooperation with several banks, the Central Bank has engaged directly with freelancers to identify major challenges, particularly around licensing and formal registration procedures, and to develop practical solutions.
She stressed: “Financial services alone are not enough; they must be accompanied by financial awareness and education.”
PaySky: Freelancing Requires Efficient Digital Payment Systems
Mahmoud Taha, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at PaySky and Yalla Super App, highlighted the Central Bank’s ongoing financial inclusion initiatives, emphasizing that awareness and education remain fundamental pillars for the growth of freelancing.
He explained that the main challenge facing freelancers is balancing time efficiency and cost effectiveness, making seamless digital payment systems essential for improving productivity and operational performance.
Taha also noted that freelancing has become an important source of foreign currency inflows for Egypt, urging stakeholders to learn from successful global and regional experiences to further strengthen the sector.
Mastercard: Digital Payment Awareness Is the Cornerstone of Inclusion
Ahmed Metwally, Country Manager of Mastercard Egypt, stated that awareness of digital payment, collection, and settlement systems is the foundation of financial inclusion.
He emphasized that the integration of efforts between government entities, financial institutions, and the private sector represents a critical step toward building a strong and sustainable ecosystem that supports freelancers and the wider digital economy.
EG Bank: Freelancing Is Becoming a Strategic Growth Sector
Nelly Mahmoud, Head of Marketing, Youth, and Financial Inclusion Services at EG Bank, said that encouraging young people to engage in freelancing has become a strategic priority, supported through close coordination between banks, government bodies, and development partners.
She revealed that a recent initiative targeting freelancers attracted nearly 13,000 participants, reflecting the growing interest in independent work across Egypt.
Mahmoud explained that freelancers are individuals who possess specialized skills and seek suitable market opportunities, rather than traditional employees or business owners. Therefore, they require a combination of technical, managerial, communication, and leadership skills to succeed.
She added that EG Bank has developed dedicated financial programs for freelancers, with a strong focus on empowering women by offering flexible solutions aligned with their needs and circumstances.
Egypt’s “Golden Era” for Freelancing Collaboration
Concluding the session, Mahmoud described the current period as Egypt’s “golden era” of collaboration, highlighting unprecedented cooperation between banks, government institutions, and the private sector.
She emphasized that this coordinated effort is strengthening the freelance ecosystem and accelerating the growth of Egypt’s digital economy.
