The Banking Executive Issue - October 2025 Issue

Egypt’s Banque Misr Egypt’s Banque Misr EXPANDS INTO EAST AFRICA WITH NEW DJIBOUTI SUBSIDIARY Banque Misr has officially inaugu- rated Banque Misr Djibouti, mark- ing its first Egyptian state-owned banking subsidiary in East Africa. The inauguration ceremony was at- tended by Hisham Okasha, Chair- person and CEO of Banque Misr; Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, Prime Minister of Djibouti; Abdel- rahman Rafea, Egypt’s Ambassador to Djibouti; Ahmed Osman, Gover- nor of the Central Bank of Djibouti; and Hossam Abdelwahab, Banque Misr Deputy Chairperson and Chair- person of Banque Misr Djibouti, along with Mohamed Afifi, CEO of the new subsidiary. The event also brought together senior banking and economic divs from both Egypt and Djibouti. The launch aligns with Banque Misr’s regional expansion strategy to strengthen Egypt’s financial pres- ence across Africa. It also supports the country’s broader efforts to deepen economic and trade ties with the continent, reaffirming the bank’s role as a key national finan- cial arm driving regional develop- ment and integration. Djibouti was chosen as Banque Misr’s gateway to East Africa due to its strategic location—linking Africa, Asia, and the Arab world—along with its political stability, robust in- frastructure, and advanced logistics, technology, and communications sectors. These factors position Dji- bouti as a rapidly growing financial and logistical hub in the region. Egypt’s Ambassador to Djibouti, Ab- delrahman Rafea, described the in- auguration as one of the most significant outcomes of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s historic visit to Djibouti in April 2025. He noted that the presidential visit included directives from both leaders to com- plete the official launch of Banque Misr Djibouti, emphasizing its im- the BANKING EXECUTIVE 22 ISSUE 202 OCTOBER 2025