Standard Bank, led by Sim Tshabalala, opens Egypt office

Standard Bank Group, Africa’s largest lender by assets, led by South African banker Sim Tshabalala, has opened a representative office in Egypt, aiming to strengthen trade and investment between Egypt, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East.

The office positions Egypt as a key hub in Africa’s north-south trade corridor, connecting Egyptian companies and investors with opportunities across Standard Bank’s 21-country African footprint. This follows an announcement earlier this month about plans to launch a Cairo office.

The bank aims to support Egyptian businesses seeking to expand in African markets while facilitating foreign investment into Egypt. Sim Tshabalala said the move reflects Standard Bank’s confidence in Egypt’s role as an investment and logistics center.

“Our Representative Office will help connect Egyptian corporates, investors, and multinationals with opportunities across our African network,” Tshabalala said, referencing the country’s Vision 2030 and Africa’s broader development agenda. 

Enhancing cross-border investment 

At the launch, Luvuyo Masinda, Chief Executive of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank, emphasized the bank’s focus on market intelligence and client support. “Our presence in Egypt will help strengthen financial cooperation and provide guidance for businesses expanding between Egypt, Sub-Saharan Africa, and our offices in Dubai, Beijing, New York, and London,” Masinda said. 

Rassem Zok, Chief Representative Officer in Egypt, added: “With more than 160 years of experience connecting Africa to global markets, Standard Bank combines local insight with pan-African expertise, helping clients seize opportunities while navigating the regional landscape. Our work supports trade and investment across Africa’s fastest-growing economies and other emerging markets, backed by a balanced portfolio that offers growth potential.” 

Reinforcing the MENA strategy 

Under Sim Tshabalala’s leadership, Standard Bank has continued to strengthen its position as a leading financial institution in Africa, expanding its reach while delivering strong profits.

The Egypt office is part of Standard Bank’s broader Middle East and North Africa strategy, which began in the UAE in 1997 through its Dubai International Finance Centre operations. The expansion strengthens the Gulf–Sub-Saharan Africa trade corridor.