The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the country’s first specialised diploma in artificial intelligence (AI) for the banking sector, Governor Hassan Abdalla announced on Tuesday.
The initiative, launched under the “Digital Academy” of the CBE’s FinTech Egypt, is a collaboration between the Egyptian Banking Institute (EBI) and New Giza University (NGU). The programme aims to develop the technological and innovative capabilities of financial sector employees to align with the state’s digital transformation strategy.
“The launch of this diploma is part of the Central Bank of Egypt’s fintech and innovation strategy, which aims to transform Egypt into a leading regional hub for the fintech industry in the Arab and African regions,” Abdalla said. He added that AI has become a primary tool for developing financial services, improving customer experience, and enhancing operational efficiency and security.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Khalid Abdel Aziz Hegazi, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration at NGU; Abdul Aziz Nuseir, Executive Director of the EBI; and Mohamed El-Sherif, CEO of Enjaz Consulting.
The ceremony was attended by Ahmed Nazif, former Prime Minister and Chairman of the NGU Advisory Board; Rami Aboulnaga, Deputy Governor of the CBE; and Lamis Ragab, Vice President of NGU.
The diploma comprises five integrated training programmes that combine practical case studies from the banking sector with educational frameworks. The curriculum includes:
- Programme 1:AI Principles, focusing on concepts and banking applications.
- Programme 2:Mastering AI Essentials, exploring core techniques and tools.
- Programme 3:Data Management and Governance, covering safety and regulatory compliance.
- Programme 4:AI Ethics and Risk Management, highlighting responsible adoption.
- Programme 5:AI Implementation and Management, focusing on integrating AI into banking operations.
Students are granted the flexibility to either complete all five modules for a full diploma or enrol in individual programmes based on their professional objectives.
NGU President Ahmed Sameh Farid stated that the collaboration reflects the university’s mission and aligns with “Egypt Digital Vision 2030,” which prioritises investment in human capital. He added that the step reinforces the strategic vision of the university’s Faculty of Commerce to produce “leaders of change” capable of driving digital transformation.
The EBI Executive Director, Abdul Aziz Nuseir, noted that the diploma is part of the institute’s current annual plan to refine the skills of banking sector employees in AI according to global developments.
The CBE established the Digital Academy in January 2023 in partnership with the EBI. Since its inception, the academy has launched “The Innovator Programme” and four specialised training programmes in “Generative AI in Finance” starting from 2024.
The new diploma follows the CBE’s recent launch of a Bachelor’s degree in Banking Sciences in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education. That programme is scheduled to begin in several faculties of commerce starting from the 2025/2026 academic year, aiming to bridge the gap between academic study and the practical requirements of the labour market.
During the event, Governor Abdalla also recognised students from the 2024/2025 cohort who completed the “FinTech Basics” course at NGU and other universities under the “FinYology” initiative.
