Total assets increased by EGP 87bn, up 33%, reaching EGP 347bn compared to EGP 260.5bn in 2024. Customer deposits rose by EGP 78bn, up 39%, to EGP 278bn, compared to EGP 200bn the previous year. Consolidated net profit after tax reached EGP 12.6bn, compared to EGP 9.02bn in 2024, representing an increase of EGP 3.6bn, or 40%. These accolades reaffirmed its standing as Egypt’s leading Islamic bank and reflected consistent execution and market leadership. For the eighth consecutive year, the bank was named Best Islamic Bank in Egypt by Global Finance magazine.

In a later phase, the market will expand further to include options contracts on both indices and individual equities. Derivatives markets require not only trading platforms but also clearing mechanisms, margin systems, settlement guarantees, and strong supervisory oversight. In markets characterised by volatility — as is often the case in emerging economies — futures contracts can stabilise expectations. Because futures markets incorporate expectations about future economic conditions, they often act as leading indicators for spot markets. If executed with discipline and foresight, Egypt’s derivatives market can become a cornerstone of a more diversified, competitive, and transparent financial ecosystem.

In this exclusive interview with Daily News Egypt, Todd Wilcox, CEO and Deputy Chairperson of HSBC Bank Egypt, discusses the bank’s instrumental role in navigating Egypt’s evolving economic landscape. We were mandated in 2025 for the ninth consecutive sovereign bond issuance in Egypt, having led all public debt issuances since 2020. We are the first and only bank in Egypt to provide our corporate and institutional clients from China with on-the-ground, native Mandarin-speaking relationship managers. At HSBC, we’ve taken a very active role in bridging the gap between potential international investors and key government stakeholders. What’s equally impressive is Egypt’s progress toward becoming a global digital and data hub.

Japanese companies are looking to expand their footprint in Egypt’s infrastructure sector following high-level discussions at the first Egyptian-Japanese Dialogue Forum on Infrastructure Quality, held in Cairo. The forum was organised by the Egypt-Japan Business Council in cooperation with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Japan Africa Infrastructure Quality Center, with senior officials and business leaders from both countries in attendance. According to Ibrahim Elaraby, approximately 150 Egyptian and Japanese representatives took part in the forum, including around 70 Japanese business executives who accompanied the official delegation. On the sidelines of the forum, officials toured the Cairo Metro and the Bashteel Upper Egypt Railway Station. Kawamura praised the operational efficiency and quality of Egypt’s infrastructure projects, reaffirming Japan’s commitment to deepening cooperation and expressing interest in returning to ride the upcoming Japanese-technology Cairo Metro Line 4.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty underscored Cairo’s commitment to advancing peace and stability across the continent as he presented the annual report of the African Union Peace and Security Council during the African Union summit in Addis Ababa. Addressing African leaders gathered to discuss conflicts, climate finance and economic development, Abdelatty conveyed greetings from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who currently chairs the Peace and Security Council for the month. On the sidelines of the summit, Abdelatty met Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund, to discuss expanding African access to climate finance. In separate meetings with the African Export-Import Bank, the African Development Bank and the African Union Development Agency, Abdelatty emphasized accelerating continental economic integration, boosting intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area and expanding partnerships to support investment, infrastructure development and private sector growth. Opening the session, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chair of the African Union Commission, called for an end to what he described as the killing of Palestinians, saying the situation in Palestine challenges the global conscience.

Egypt will roll out a new social support package this week to assist vulnerable and low-income groups ahead of the high-demand Ramadan season, the Egyptian Presidency announced on Saturday. During a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk, President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi directed the government to begin implementing the proposed measures, primarily in the form of direct cash support. In response to rising prices, the government had earlier announced plans to import frozen chicken and sell it at discounted rates. According to the Presidency, the new social package is designed to shield lower-income households from seasonal price pressures during Ramadan. Discussions further covered proposed income increases for state employees, tax facilitation and reform measures for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, and customs adjustments aimed at supporting domestic industry, encouraging investment and curbing smuggling.

The credit and discount rate, as well as the main operation rate, were lowered to 19.5%. However, attention is now turning to fixed-rate savings products, where banks retain discretion over whether to amend pricing in response to the policy shift. Investors are also assessing how the rate cut could affect yields on domestic government debt instruments scheduled for auction this week, particularly in light of foreign investors’ appetite for Egyptian pound-denominated assets. The key question for the market is whether the 100-basis-point rate cut will translate into lower accepted yields at these auctions, and whether foreign portfolio investors will maintain strong participation amid evolving interest-rate differentials. The coming days are therefore expected to provide clearer signals on how quickly the monetary easing cycle will filter through to savings returns, borrowing costs, and the pricing of sovereign debt instruments.

Local manufacturing of health products is no longer a developmental option but a “strategic necessity” to ensure African health sovereignty and security, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said on Saturday. He confirmed Egypt’s readiness to place this expertise at the continent’s disposal to unify standards and accelerate sustainable local production. Continental Health SovereigntyAbdelatty further urged African nations that have not yet ratified the treaty establishing the African Medicines Agency (AMA) to do so immediately. The minister also stressed the importance of facilitating intra-African trade in pharmaceuticals under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and COMESA frameworks to enhance industrial integration. Security and MigrationAddressing regional stability, the minister stated that sustainable peace requires a comprehensive vision linking security with development.

Ahmed Rostom, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, held a coordination meeting with Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Finance, to discuss preparations for the investment plan and state budget for the 2026/2027 fiscal year, underscoring the integrated approach between the two ministries. These directives place human development, improved quality of life, and enhanced public services at the forefront of spending priorities. Foremost among these is prioritising citizens’ needs by directing financial allocations towards sectors that directly affect daily life – particularly health, education, and essential public services – to ensure a concrete improvement in living standards. The objective is to maximise the return on public spending and reinforce macroeconomic stability. The two ministers stressed that the government is operating as a unified team to ensure that the 2026/2027 plan is both ambitious and realistic.

But the country is also eyeing another potential fix: robots and automation. Beijing is also betting heavily on humanoid robots, with more than 140 companies in China now developing them in a field flush with government subsidies. Recent government guidelines have called for advancing humanoid robots and AI technologies to enhance elder care, as well as developing brain-computer interfaces, exoskeleton robots and muscle suits to assist elderly citizens with declining physical functions. Another concern is the state-backed pension system, which many elderly Chinese rely on and predictions suggest could move into deficit as the population ages without more reform. Here too, the “race between technology advancement and population aging,” could have a bearing, according to Tianzeng Xu, a China analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Jana Diab, daughter of superstar Amr Diab, officially released her latest single, “Maak Baghanni” (I Sing With You), after its initial release a few days prior as part of an advertising campaign for a well-known soft drink company. “Maak Baghanni” features lyrics by Tamer Hussein, with Jana writing the English verses. The music is composed by Amr Mostafa, arranged by Adel Haqqi, and mixed and mastered by Amir Mahrous. Jana appeared in the advertisement singing in both English and Arabic to Afrobeat rhythms, marking her first solo single to combine both languages. She also collaborated with her father on two duets: “Jamila” from his album “Sahran,” and “Khatafouni” from his latest album, “Ebtadeena.”

Netanyahu’s office issued a brief readout reaffirming “the close coordination and relationship” without offering much detail. Neither side has provided much detail on what was discussed in Wednesday’s meeting between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has invited Trump to Israel’s Independence Day celebrations in May to receive the prestigious Israel Prize — the first ever awarded to a non-Israeli. With Trump, the source said, “he risks undercutting one of his central electoral assets.”On Thursday, Trump called Israel’s president “disgraceful” for not granting Netanyahu a pardon amid an ongoing corruption trial. Trump has been pressuring President Isaac Herzog for months to pardon Netanyahu, including during a high-profile speech in Israel’s Knesset last year.

The latest African aviation market data for January 2026 reveals the continued recovery of the continent’s air transport sector, with Egypt ranking high amongst African countries. According to data from OAG – Schedules Analyser, a company specializing in analyzing airline schedules globally, the Cairo International Airport recorded the largest international flight seat capacity among African countries, driven by increased travel demand and the expansion of air connectivity networks between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. According to the report, the top ten African airports by seat capacity as of January 2026 were:Cairo International Airport – EgyptAddis Ababa Airport – EthiopiaJohannesburg Airport (OR Tambo) – South AfricaCasablanca Airport – MoroccoCape Town Airport – South AfricaLagos Airport – NigeriaMarrakech Airport – MoroccoAlgiers Airport – AlgeriaNairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport – KenyaHurghada Airport – EgyptFastest Growing AirportsPerformance data showed that Moroccan airports achieved the fastest growth rates among the largest African airports. Casablanca Airport’s seat capacity increased by 18.1 percent. while Marrakech Airport recorded growth of 17.5 percent between January 2025 and January 2026, supported by the recovery of international tourism and increased air connectivity.

“Will take down (Pope) Francis,” Bannon wrote to Epstein in June 2019. The recently released DOJ files reveal Bannon messaged Epstein on several occasions in his efforts to undermine the late pope. He told CNN that he thinks Bannon wanted to “instrumentalize” the book in his efforts against Pope Francis. House Oversight Committee Democrats/Handout/ReutersThe Epstein files show Epstein, on April 1, 2019, emailed himself “in the closet of the vatican,” and later sent Bannon an article titled “Pope Francis or Steve Bannon? “I think he badly misjudged the nature of the book – and Pope Francis,” Ivereigh told CNN.

EgyptAir, the Egyptian national carrier, announced a special Valentine’s Day promotion offering a 30 percent discount on all its international flights. Travel Period: Passengers can begin their trips from February 13th onwards, providing greater flexibility in holiday planning. Passengers can begin their trips from February 13th onwards, providing greater flexibility in holiday planning. Eligible Destinations: The discount applies to all international destinations within EgyptAir’s extensive network. This step by EgyptAir comes as part of its efforts to boost international travel and stimulate tourism by offering affordable travel options that allow passengers to explore new destinations and create unforgettable memories during this special occasion.