Banks in Egypt made a huge net profit of EGP 152.76 billion during the first quarter of 2025. This was made known in a report released by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). The report shows that banks are making strong profits from their operations, reflecting a healthy banking sector in the country.
According to the CBE, banks’ net interest income for the first quarter of this year stood at EGP 253.45 billion. Net interest income is the difference between the interest banks earn from loans and the interest they pay to depositors. The banks also earned EGP 331.33 billion in net operating income during the quarter. Net operating income comprises profits made from fees, transactions and other banking services.
The total expenses for the banking sector were EGP 178.58 billion in the first quarter. These expenses mainly cover salaries, administrative payments and other operational costs.
The CBE’s report highlights that the profits were not evenly distributed across all banks. The top 10 banks in Egypt made up about 79.04% of total profits, amounting to EGP 120.74 billion. Among these, the top 5 banks — which are the largest players in the banking industry — captured nearly 67.69% of total profits, adding up to EGP 103.4 billion.
By the end of March 2025, the 10 leading banks collectively earned EGP 196.15 billion in net interest income and EGP 262.30 billion in net operating income. They also incurred total expenses of EGP 141.56 billion during the period. The 5 largest banks, meanwhile, made net interest income of EGP 165.69 billion and net operating income of EGP 227.03 billion, while their total expenses were EGP 123.63 billion by December 2024.
The strong profits reflect the ability of banks to maximize their operations and control their expenses. Higher profits also show that financial institutions in Egypt are growing and strengthening their financial base, which is a key indicator of the health of the banking sector.
Some financial experts say this strong performance highlights growing confidence in the banking industry. It shows banks have successfully kept their non-performing loans low, maintained strong capital buffers, and improved their ability to generate profits from their operations. The profits come from a combination of strong interest income — the main revenue for banks — and growing income from transactions and services.
The result also underscores the role banks play in Egypt’s economic growth. A healthy banking sector is crucial for funding businesses, extending loans to small and medium enterprises, and helping people deposit their savings safely. The strong profits reflect a well-functioning banking industry that can continue to provide financial services to businesses and individuals across the country.
The CBE reports were made available to the public to promote transparency and allow people to assess the financial health of the banking sector. The strong profits made by banks in the first quarter of 2025 show that the industry is growing and strengthening. It highlights how policy measures by regulators and financial authorities are helping banks to operate efficiently and safely.
As the banking industry grows, it will need to find ways to innovate and serve its customers more effectively. The use of digital banking, financial technology and phone banking services is expected to help banks cut their expenses and reach more people across the country.
Banks will also need to manage risks carefully, control their expenses and find ways to grow their profits without putting their financial stability at risk. The CBE, for its part, is expected to continue its oversight to make sure banks follow the regulations and maintain financial discipline.
This strong first-quarter performance suggests a healthy future for banks in Egypt and their ability to contribute to the country’s economic development.
