The National Bank of Egypt (NBE) is considering strengthening its presence in the Gulf region, beyond Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, announced Hesham Elsafty, NBE’s international banking director.
The Riyadh branch will focus on financing large and medium-sized enterprises, foreign trade, and investments, the official said. The initiative is also expected to enhance trade between Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The bank has stated that it is among the first institutions to request the opening of an agency in the Kingdom from Saudi authorities.
“This expansion builds customer confidence in the bank, both in the local market and in the wider Gulf region,” said Soha El-Turky, deputy general manager.
According to the latest data from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), trade between Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reached nearly USD 20 billion in 2025, with key sectors such as energy, agribusiness, and infrastructure.
NBE aims to capture a share of this dynamic market by offering financial solutions tailored to the needs of businesses and international investors.
With this strategy, NBE is joining a broader trend. Egyptian banks are seeking to diversify their activities abroad to offset increased competition and take advantage of sustained growth in the Gulf. This initiative could also pave the way for future expansions in other GCC countries.
