Mashreq Egypt continues to cement its position as one of the group’s fastest-growing markets outside the UAE. We spoke with Mashreq Egypt CEO Amr El Bahey on the sidelines of the forum to discuss the bank’s expansion strategy, its digital push through Mashreq Neo and the soon-to-launch NeoBiz platform, and his outlook on Egypt’s investment climate, AI’s impact on hiring, and what’s driving his optimism heading into 2026.

EnterpriseAM: So, what’s new with Mashreq Egypt?

Amr El Bahey: We are continuing to grow across all business lines in Egypt. Egypt is a top priority country for Mashreq Group and the largest market outside the UAE. We’re growing in our corporate investment banking group, leading syndications, and deepening our relationships with core Egyptian conglomerates. We’re also supporting multinationals and regional names to further invest and grow in Egypt.

On the retail banking side, we’re pioneering advances in technology and digitalization that are providing amazing experiences to our clients. We’re focusing on financial inclusion through Mashreq Neo, which is growing at a phenomenal rate and receiving great reviews. We also have a collaboration with e&, through e& Mashreq Neo, which focuses on financial inclusion in that segment.

Perhaps the newest development is that we are very soon launching Mashreq NeoBiz, our digital platform catering to SMEs. A critical segment for Mashreq Egypt.

E: What are the most promising sectors you see in Egypt today?

AB: It’s really very diverse. The industrial sector is a major one, as well as services. We’ve seen huge interest both regionally and globally in Egypt, given recent macroeconomic developments and global logistical disturbances. Egypt has secured its position as a top investment destination, and we’ve seen strong interest from Asia and China, the Gulf region, as well as the UK and the US.

E: On a personal level, which asset class do you prefer to invest in at the moment?

AB: I get asked that question a lot, and my personal answer isn’t necessarily the model one, because investment has to follow two things: your personal financial objective and your risk appetite.

Your financial objectives depend on where you are in your career lifecycle — how far you are from retirement, whether you have 20 years left in your career or are looking to retire earlier, and what your financial obligations are. The answer will differ for a 25-year-old compared to a 45-year-old.

The second factor is risk appetite, which also varies based on life stage. In general, you should have a balanced and mixed approach between various asset classes that reflect your lifestyle and career stage — one that is both balanced and diversified.

E: Has AI had any impact on your hiring plan at Mashreq Egypt?

AB: If the answer were no, then we’d be in trouble. AI is an integral part of our future, and even our present. It’s helping us with internal efficiency and enhancing client experience. The impact of AI in providing efficiencies in certain areas is already embedded in our future growth plan. It affects how we hire, whether we need as many people in certain areas, or whether we reallocate people where AI can support us better.

E: Are you optimistic, pessimistic, or neutral about the outlook for your industry in 2026, and why?

AB: Highly optimistic, and not just because I’m an optimistic person. Egypt’s macroeconomic indicators are heading in a very positive direction. On a regional and global level, many challenges are being subdued, and there’s a positive outlook we can be confident about.

We’re also seeing a harmonious interaction between government and the private sector. There’s invigorating investment and growth from the private sector, and government performance — especially recent economic decisions — has been phenomenal and supportive. All of this gives us reason to expect accelerated growth in 2026.

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