Egypt's banking sector sees 8% growth in brand value, ranking among Africa's top 5

Egypt Today

20-03-2025

Cairo – March 20, 2025: According to Brand Finance's Top 500 Banking Brands 2025 report, African banks saw a 22 percent overall increase in brand value, outpacing North America and Europe. Kenya led the growth with a 49 percent rise, followed by South Africa at 24 percent, Morocco at 21 percent, Nigeria at 16 percent, and Egypt at 8 percent.
Overall, Egypt ranked 45th in the Global 50 Brand Value by Country list, with a brand value of $1.483 billion, reflecting an 8 percent growth.
The performance underscores the strength of the African financial services sector and the significant role these institutions play in fostering sustainable and inclusive economies across the continent.
Several Egyptian banks were recognized among the 25 Most Valuable Bank Brands in Africa.
The National Bank of Egypt saw its value rise to $717 million in 2025, up from $655 million. Banque Misr's value was estimated at $416 million, and the Commercial International Bank (CIB) reached a value of $351 million.
Despite these impressive gains, no African bank has yet broken into the Top 100 globally.
The highest-ranking African banks are all from South Africa, with Standard Bank at 134th place, up four spots from 2024, First National Bank at 158th, climbing 11 places, and Absa Bank at 170th, moving up two spots.
While African banking brands have made significant strides, weak domestic currencies and regional risks have hindered them from breaking into the top 100, the report explained.
Nonetheless, African banks remain strong in terms of brand power, achieving the highest average Brand Strength score globally at 80, which indicates that many African banks hold a AAA rating.
The report also highlights Africa's leadership in mobile banking, with the continent accounting for nearly half of the world's mobile banking accounts, as noted by the World Economic Forum. This mobile banking dominance helps further solidify the region's position as a key player in digital banking innovation.
As digitalization continues to be a driving force across regions, African banks remain ahead in mobile banking adoption, while fintech challengers in Latin America and Europe disrupt traditional banking models. This trend points to a future where digital innovation defines the banking landscape.
The highest-ranked African banks in the Global 500 rankings for 2025 include Standard Bank at 134th, up four places from 2024, First National Bank at 158th, up 11 spots, and Absa Bank at 170th, rising by two positions.
Middle Eastern banks experienced steady growth, with a 13 percent increase in total brand value, driven by initiatives such as Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
While Saudi banks, particularly Al Rajhi, have seen rapid expansion, Qatar's QNB remains the region's most valuable brand. However, digital banking in the Middle East is still underdeveloped compared to global peers, presenting an area for potential growth.