Gender Savings Groups: Formalizing Village Savings Groups with a Gender Lens – Egypt Case Study

Savings groups can facilitate the transition of women from the informal to the formal financial system via innovative technology solutions.

Savings groups are therefore of interest to regulators and financial institutions since they enable the servicing of new and underserved markets while also contributing to sustainable development goals such as zero poverty and the reduction of gender inequality.

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) is currently developing a gender-inclusive financial system that addresses the barriers faced by women and has brought women’s financial inclusion to the forefront of its policy agenda. Among CBE’s initiatives is the Savings Groups project to enhance financial literacy among women so they can avail themselves of the financial services and products that suit their needs.