In South Africa, a new generation of digital banks and fintechs are offering credit and convenience to even the smallest SMEs. This provision of financing to the full spectrum of small and medium sized businesses could provide a path for other players to follow.

Extending banking services to African SMEs is vital to ensure economic and social progress, requiring both a regulatory effort from above and private sector problem-solving from below. Many of the continent’s most dynamic markets are now showing signs of progress.

Mashreq Al Islami continues to demonstrate its digital leadership in Islamic banking through the breadth and quality of the services and products it provides. It is Euromoney’s best Islamic digital bank this year.

Banks across the Middle East have placed sustainability at the heart of their operations and central in the financing they provide to clients. For Mashreq, this commitment reflects what it sees as a “social obligation” to the markets where it operates.

Issuance of sustainable finance across Africa has risen rapidly in recent years. Yet activity is still only a fraction of what it could be. Can the market overcome its challenges and reach its potential?

Banks are investing heavily in technologies to improve the efficiency of their operations from the back end to the front. Mashreq is focusing as much investment on enhancing the banking experience as it is on enhancing client experience.

Amid a turbulent and increasingly digital world, the need for banks to be operationally resilient has never been greater. Mashreq has been focused on building this quality over the past few years to support its growth and development.

One year in, and Lloyds Bank’s institutional strategy is building momentum – deepening client relationships through a more holistic, joined-up approach across the wider group.

Mashreq Bank’s Corporate and Investment Banking business has been growing from strength to strength in recent years. Group Head of CIB, Joel D Van Dusen, talks to Euromoney about what differentiates the business, its growth strategy, and its positioning in ESG and sustainable finance.

The Egyptian banking sector has needed to demonstrate resilience amid the country’s economic volatility. CIB has showed this and delivered growth, says Omar EL-Husseiny, Head of Treasury Group.

The African continent is increasingly alive with digital innovation and development in financial services. Fintechs are at the forefront of this shift. Traditional banks are racing to respond.

Africa’s most populous country and largest economy is in the middle of a financial transformation. Uzoma Dozie, founder and CEO of digital bank Sparkle, tells Euromoney about innovation, supporting small businesses and the power of generative AI.

After a strong first half of the year, Mashreq Group Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Abdelaal, talks to Euromoney about the importance of customer experience, the bank’s growth and expansion plans, operational resilience and his outlook for the remainder of the year.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in driving economic growth and job creation worldwide. However, accessing financing for international trade remains a significant challenge for many of these businesses.

Companies and their treasury teams are under increasing pressure to evolve, adapt and innovate new digital business models to thrive, and survive.

The bank’s digital transformation, underpinned by its vision to be the best digital bank with branches, is yielding positive results.

The central bank is expected to award its first digital banking licences this summer, adding fuel to a market already burning from ambitious fintechs.

As the economic outlook of Egypt improves, the country’s banking sector is expected to reap the benefits.