Cairo, 3 Nov 2025:
In line with the Central Bank of Egypt’s (CBE) commitment to empowering youth and strengthening Egypt’s position as a leading regional hub for FinTech, the “FinYology” Initiative – introduced by CBE’s “FinTech Egypt” – has launched the third edition of the “FinTech Got Talent 2025” competition, in collaboration with the Federation of Egyptian Banks (FEB) and the Egyptian Banking Institute (EBI). This competition aims to identify and select the most innovative projects and ideas among university students.
The CBE recently hosted the third edition of the competition, during which Mr. Rami Aboulnaga, Deputy Governor of the CBE, delivered the opening remarks in the presence of senior officials from the CBE, the banking sector, and representatives from Egyptian universities. He emphasized that the competition aligns with the CBE’s FinTech and Innovation Strategy, which focuses on qualifying young talent by equipping them with the skills required for the job market. The competition exemplifies the institutional integration between the banking sector and the educational system, reflecting Egypt’s commitment to digital transformation, financial inclusion, and fostering an enabling environment for youth innovation.
Competition Stages and Winners
The competition featured multiple stages, starting with university-level elimination rounds and culminating in the selection of the top 11 projects to join a one-month comprehensive program at the “DMZ Cairo” Incubator. This program aimed to develop their projects and transform their innovative ideas into practical, market-ready solutions.
The winning teams were announced at the conclusion of the competition:
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First Place: ESLSCA University for the “Tapay” project, a mobile application that transforms smartphones into contactless payment terminals.
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Second Place: British University in Egypt (BUE) for “Money Adventure,” a gamified financial literacy app for children.
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Third Place: Cairo University for “AgriDawar,” a digital platform connecting farmers with buyers of agricultural surplus using e-payment technologies and e-wallets.
The three teams earned the opportunity to represent Egypt in the “Arab FinTech Challenge” held in Dubai in October 2025. Notably, ESLSCA University and BUE secured first and second places, respectively, competing against universities from UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, and other Arab countries.
Initiative Impact
Dr. Rasha Negm, Assistant Sub-Governor of CBE for FinTech and Innovation, highlighted that the qualified teams achieved remarkable milestones over the past two years, including first place in the Arab FinTech Challenge. This reflects the outstanding capabilities of Egyptian youth and reinforces Egypt’s position as a growing regional hub for FinTech innovation.
The “FinTech Got Talent” competition, launched in 2023 under the “FinYology” initiative, is the first of its kind in Egypt. The initiative integrates students into hands-on practical environments, equips them with global FinTech skills, and nurtures creativity across multiple areas to meet labor market demands.
Currently, the FinYology initiative includes over 30 Egyptian universities, delivering 900 student-led projects with participation from approximately 19,000 students. These projects receive ongoing support from the Egyptian banking sector (about 18 banks), reflecting CBE and the banking sector’s commitment to fostering young talent and promoting entrepreneurship in the FinTech ecosystem.
In this context, on the other hand, there are many related sector news items that you can follow. For example, we highlight the most important ones in the following list:
- INTOSAI Highlights Egypt’s Advanced Model in Auditing Central Banks Amid Economic Challenges
- Governor of Central Bank of Egypt Attends Graduation Ceremony for Fresh Cohorts of Future Leaders Program at Egyptian Banking Institute
