NBE and Mastercard Launch Egypt’s First Dollar-Denominated Corporate Debit Card #

Egypt’s largest state-owned lender has partnered with Mastercard to introduce a USD-denominated corporate debit card, giving the country’s businesses direct access to international markets for the first time.

The National Bank of Egypt (NBE) and Mastercard announced the launch of the USD Corporate Debit Card, designed to serve large corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) making cross-border payments. Available immediately through NBE branches nationwide, the card lets businesses settle invoices with overseas suppliers, pay international service providers, and transact on global digital platforms in US dollars through Mastercard’s worldwide payments network.

Egyptian companies have historically faced friction when making international payments, a challenge that has grown more acute as they seek to expand in global markets. The card gives businesses a direct instrument for USD-denominated spending without routing transactions through multiple intermediaries.

Soha El Turky, Deputy CEO at NBE, said the partnership is intended to equip companies of all sizes with tools to expand globally, unlock new business opportunities, and strengthen their competitiveness in international markets, while also advancing Egypt’s broader digital payments infrastructure.

Mohamed Assem, Mastercard’s Country Manager for Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria, pointed to shared goals around inclusive, cross-border commerce. He described the collaboration as part of Mastercard’s wider commitment to helping businesses operate with confidence beyond their domestic markets through secure global payments infrastructure.

The launch follows a trend of local lenders in the Middle East and Africa partnering with global networks to extend cross-border payment options. NBE holds a dominant position in Egypt’s banking sector. Egyptian SMEs have been under growing pressure to access foreign currency efficiently.

Source: Zawya