ABK‑Egypt and Mastercard Partner to Accelerate Egypt’s Cashless Revolution

Editorial Team

Last updated 12-01-2026

3 min

ABK-Egypt and Mastercard are collaborating to enhance digital payment solutions in Egypt.

The partnership aims to support Egypt's cashless society with smoother, secure transactions.

ABK-Egypt plans to expand its services and target diverse customer segments with new offerings.

Mastercard will provide advanced digital systems to improve payments and security.

The collaboration seeks to boost financial inclusion and adapt to Egypt’s digital transformation.

ABK‑Egypt has teamed up with Mastercard in a move that seems set to shake up how digital payments are handled in the country. The two sides are rolling out a fresh wave of consumer, commercial, and digital solutions, all designed to make transactions smoother and more secure. I’ve seen plenty of these partnerships pop up across the region, and while some feel like a bit of a faff, this one looks more grounded—probably because it ties directly into Egypt’s broader push toward a cashless society.

According to comments shared publicly, Khaled El Salawy, the bank’s CEO and Managing Director, said the collaboration would help ABK‑Egypt expand its services and cater to a wider mix of customer segments. He highlighted that the goal is to offer more seamless and secure banking options, in line with Egypt’s digital transformation ambitions. That said, I reckon the real test will be how quickly everyday users warm up to the new tools—Egypt’s fintech adoption has been rising fast, but trust still matters, you know?

Iman El Essawy, who heads the bank’s retail banking division, also noted that customers should feel the impact directly through improved digital features and stronger value propositions. She pointed out that this could give the bank a stronger footing in what she described as a highly competitive market. And believe it or not, that market gets tighter by the month; every other week at Arageek we come across yet another startup trying to redefine how Egyptians pay, save, or transfer their money.

Mastercard, for its part, is positioning itself as a long-term advisor to ABK‑Egypt. The company plans to equip the bank with advanced digital systems that streamline payments and bolster security—two areas where even established institutions sometimes struggle. I remember visiting a small fintech hub in Cairo last year, where a young founder told me that convincing people to abandon cash “feels like trying to empty the Nile with a bucket.” Spot on metaphor, even if a bit dramatic… well, I mean, that’s entrepreneurship for you.

Both parties say they’re committed to boosting financial inclusion and encouraging more people and businesses to take part in the formal economy. On the flip side, no single partnership can transform the landscape overnight, but this one does hint that the bigger banks are no longer content to sit on the sidelines while digital-first challengers sprint ahead. If these new solutions land well, they could leave ABK‑Egypt chuffed to bits—and possibly give Mastercard an even stronger foothold in the country.

It’s definately one to watch, especially as Egypt’s shift toward digital finance keeps gathering pace.

🚀 Got exciting news to share?

If you're a startup founder, VC, or PR agency with big updates—funding rounds, product launches 📢, or company milestones 🎉 — AraGeek English wants to hear from you!