CBE launches FinTech Got Talent 2026 competition for university students

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) has launched the fourth edition of the FinTech Got Talent competition for university students under the FinYology initiative, organised by FinTech Egypt in collaboration with the Federation of Egyptian Banks (FEB) and the Egyptian Banking Institute (EBI). The competition — inaugurated by Eng. Ayman Hussein, CBE First Sub‑Governor, and Abdel Aziz Nossier, Executive Director of the EBI — seeks to recognise innovative projects and solutions in financial technology, progressing from university qualifiers to a final selection of 11 projects and a subsequent one‑month incubation at the DMZ Cairo business incubator.

"Investing in young talent is not merely an objective the CBE seeks to achieve, but a fundamental pillar of its vision for building the future of Egypt’s banking and financial sector," said Hassan Abdalla, Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt. He stressed the importance of equipping the next generation with the knowledge, skills and capabilities needed to keep pace with rapid changes in the global economy and to enhance the sector’s efficiency and competitiveness.

Competition format and support

The FinTech Got Talent competition includes several stages beginning at the university level, narrowing to the top 11 projects which entered a comprehensive one‑month incubation programme at DMZ Cairo. During incubation, finalist teams received mentorship and support to refine their solutions and prepare for final judging and awards. The initiative brings together CBE leaders, senior representatives from the banking sector and delegates from multiple Egyptian universities.

Launched in 2023 under the FinYology initiative, the programme currently spans 31 Egyptian universities and has produced 1,060 projects with the participation of nearly 24,000 students. Around 27 banks and financial institutions have supported FinYology to date, underscoring ongoing cooperation between the CBE and the banking sector to develop talent, encourage innovation and promote entrepreneurship in FinTech.

Winners and innovations

• First place: FinFamily — developed by students from the Faculty of Computers and Artificial Intelligence at Cairo University. FinFamily is an integrated digital platform to boost financial literacy among children aged six to 15, combining interactive education with AI‑powered training in Arabic and English.
• Second place: PayRamids — submitted by students from the College of Computing and Information Technology at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (Smart Village branch). PayRamids offers an integrated HR and payroll management system for SMEs and provides access to short‑term financing via banks and licensed financing institutions.
• Third place: Pockety — from the School of Business Administration at Nile University. Pockety is delivered via a mobile app and smart bracelet to help children set savings goals, monitor spending, take part in interactive financial challenges and make secure payments under parental supervision.

The three winning teams will represent Egypt at the Arab FinTech Challenge, held as part of the Jordan FinTech Festival from September 21 to 24, 2026, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The regional contest will feature five countries: Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Palestine. Egyptian entrants have a strong regional track record — including a first‑place finish at the Arab FinTech Challenge staged as part of GITEX North Star and achieving both first and second places in 2025 — signalling continued competitiveness of Egyptian student teams in FinTech and digital innovation.

Outlook

With the FinYology initiative expanding across universities and sustained backing from roughly 27 banks and financial institutions, the CBE aims to maintain momentum in nurturing practical skills and innovative FinTech solutions. The competition’s pathway from campus qualifiers to DMZ Cairo incubation and regional representation is designed to translate student projects into market‑ready applications that can support financial inclusion, SME access to finance, and early financial education across Egypt and the region.