The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has officially launched Haweya, a national digital identity platform designed to accelerate financial inclusion and streamline access to a wide range of public and private services. The initiative introduces a unified biometric digital ID that will enable citizens to open bank accounts, complete eKYC processes, and verify their identity entirely online.
A Unified Digital Gateway
The rollout begins with the Haweya website, which went live last month, with a mobile application set to launch soon. The platform already facilitates remote digital KYC, secure document verification, SIM card purchases, and seamless onboarding for 37 banks.
Once the mobile app is available, users will leverage face and fingerprint biometrics alongside digital signatures to securely interact with financial institutions, telecom providers, and government agencies without needing to visit a physical branch. To join, users register their biometric data once, creating a trusted digital profile that serves as their key for all future transactions.
Streamlining Access Across Sectors
Led by CEO Tamer Gadalla, the Haweya initiative is poised to significantly reduce paperwork, minimize human error, and create a more efficient identity verification ecosystem. The CBE emphasizes that this digital infrastructure will be instrumental in boosting financial inclusion, particularly by reaching citizens in remote and underserved regions of the country.
The project is reinforced by key players in Egypt’s digital transformation landscape, with companies like Raya IT securing funding to support the expansion of the digital public infrastructure required for the platform’s success.
Building on a Strong Foundation
Industry leaders are heralding the launch as a landmark achievement. Mahmoud Hussein of Banque Misr described Haweya as a “bold step toward a fully digital financial ecosystem.”
The platform builds upon Egypt’s already impressive progress in financial services accessibility. With a financial inclusion rate of 76%, far exceeding the MENA regional average of 53%, the country is leveraging Haweya to cement its status as a trailblazer in fintech and digital identity innovation.
About Haweya
Haweya is a national digital identity platform launched by the Central Bank of Egypt. It provides a unified biometric digital ID to streamline identity verification, enable remote eKYC processes, and simplify access to financial, governmental, and telecom services across the country, aiming to accelerate financial inclusion.
Source: MEA TechWatch
