Inauguration of the Sustainable Finance Conference Hosted by the Central Bank of Egypt and the International Finance Corporation

In line with the efforts to support the development of green finance policies and enhance markets’ capacity building, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), hosted sustainable finance conference on Sunday, February 15, 2026, under the theme “Innovating for Resilience: Financing for a Sustainable Future

The event encompassed keynote opening remarks delivered by Hassan Abdalla,

Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt,. Ethiopis Tafara, IFC’s Regional Vice President for Africa,  Mohamed Farid, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade,  Olayemi Cardoso, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Jürgen Schulz, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Egypt. The opening ceremony was also attended by Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, and  Samar Abdel Wahed, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates for International Cooperation

In his speech,  Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the CBE, affirmed that “Climate change is no longer an environmental issue, but has evolved into a financial one. Within this framework, the CBE is playing a pivotal role in catalyzing the banking sector’s transition towards a more sustainable future through issuing the Sustainable Finance Guiding Principles in 2021, the Sustainable Finance Binding Regulations in 2022 and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) directive in 2025. Our participation in this forum aims to promote financial and banking stability efforts, and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Egypt’s economy

“For fifty years, IFC has worked with Egypt to turn economic challenges into opportunities by supporting a dynamic and competitive private sector to deliver lasting development impact in Egypt,” said Ethiopis Tafara, IFC Vice President for Africa. “Through our investment and advisory engagements, we are supporting the advancement of national priorities – from sustainable energy to MSMEs development – for a more competitive and inclusive Egyptian economy

This event brought together senior policymakers, representative of local and international financial institutions, and private sector leaders. In their remarks, speakers reaffirmed that Egypt and the international community are committed to advancing the sustainable finance agenda, strengthening climate resilience, and accelerating the transition toward a low-carbon economy

The conference serves as a platform for dialogue and collaboration on innovative approaches to climate financing. This was reflected in the panel discussions that covered several key topics, including; mobilization of private capital for climate action, innovative financing instruments for green projects, enablement of regulatory frameworks and policy enablers, and building resilient financial systems. Additionally, the dialogues highlighted the economic opportunities stemming from the climate transition, such as job creation, the development of new markets, and growth in sectors, as the agricultural technology (Agri-tech). Moreover, they underscored the importance of innovation, effective policy design, and cross-sector collaboration in scaling climate finance and promoting sustainable development across regions

During the conference, participants reaffirmed the importance of strengthening climate-aligned financial systems, enhancing resilience, and supporting sustainable growth in Egypt and across Africa. They also highlighted the need for continued collaboration among policymakers, financial institutions, and development partners to scale up climate finance and strengthen the capacity of financial systems to address climate-related challenges

On the sidelines of the conference, the CBE’s Governor and IFC’s Regional Vice President for Africa witnessed the signing of a cooperation protocol between the IFC and Banque Misr. The protocol forms part of a broader IFC Board-approved investment envelope of up to USD 220 million, including a USD 150 million three-year investment in the form of senior sustainability loan, accompanied by technical assistance. This support will guide the allocation of investment proceeds to eligible climate-related assets and ensure portfolio monitoring and reporting in line with the IFC’s climate eligibility criteria, thereby supporting the growth of Banque Misr’s green portfolio

Furthermore, they witnessed the signing of another cooperation protocol between the IFC and Export Development Bank of Egypt (EBank) to launch an advisory program aimed at developing a robust data governance, and accurately tracking the impact of green financing transactions. This program will enable EBank to identify, classify, and report on sustainable finance, enhance its strategic exposure to climate-positive projects, supporting the State’s transition to a green economy

The conference was organized as part of the IFC’s 30by30 Program, which comprises 4 countries; Egypt, Mexico, South Africa, and Philippines. The Program is led by the IFC and the World Bank Group, with the aim of supporting the transition towards an inclusive and sustainable economy