March 4 — Cairo: Banks across Egypt will provide a range of free banking services and products from March 8 to March 31, 2026, in celebration of International Women’s Day as part of the Central Bank of Egypt’s financial inclusion program.
The Central Bank has designated this period as the first of six financial inclusion initiatives planned throughout 2026. During the campaign, banks will allow customers to open new accounts without fees and without any minimum balance requirements. They will also offer free electronic wallets and provide complimentary access to internet and mobile banking services.
Several banking service charges will also be temporarily waived during the initiative. In addition, banks will be permitted to organize outreach activities outside their branch locations to promote financial literacy and encourage broader participation in the financial system.
Under the program, financial institutions may open accounts without administrative costs, issue prepaid and debit cards, and encourage customers to activate and use mobile wallet services.
The initiative is part of a broader national effort aimed at expanding access to essential financial services and strengthening financial inclusion across the country, in line with the Central Bank’s 2026 financial inclusion framework.
