Standard Bank Group Enters Egypt, Expands its pan-African Footprint Standard Bank Group has made a bold push into North Africa with a new Cairo representative office, positioning itself to connect capital flows between the Middle East, Egypt, and sub-Saharan Africa. The move signals rising investor confidence in Egypt and sets the stage for a potential full banking entry into the region.

Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest lender by assets, has officially entered the Egyptian market, opening a representative office in Cairo.

The move marks one of the bank’s most significant North African expansions in recent years.

The Group, which trades as Stanbic in much of Africa, officially launched the representative office on 12 November 2025.

While not yet a fully licensed commercial bank, the new office will offer corporate, investment, and advisory services as Standard Bank seeks regulatory approval to begin full banking operations in Africa’s third-largest economy.

Group CEO Sim Tshabalala described Egypt as a “strategic gateway” for connecting capital flows between the Middle East, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa.

The bank hopes the Cairo base will strengthen its ability to link Gulf investors with African opportunities while supporting Egyptian corporates looking to expand into the rest of the continent.

The move comes as Egypt positions itself as a rising financial hub despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges, including inflation and foreign exchange liquidity pressures.

Standard Bank’s entry signals growing investor confidence in the market and intensifies competition within an already crowded banking sector.

With operations in 21 African countries and global hubs including Dubai, London, New York, and Beijing, Standard Bank’s arrival is expected to deepen regional integration and expand trade and investment flows across Africa.

A full banking licence would allow the lender to scale quickly within Egypt, a development that regional markets will be watching closely.