The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of the
legal and regulatory environment for microfinance in Egypt, with the following specific
objectives:
• Identifying key legal barriers and obstacles that would prevent NGO-MFIs from
transforming into Microfinance Companies (MFCs);
• Identifying relevant Egyptian laws and regulations that should be harmonized with
the recently drafted General Rules for Microfinance Companies; and
• Developing specific recommendations to resolve issues identified under both
objectives.

This briefing contains five parts: The first section looks at the broad profile of remittances and their relationship to development. The second section analyzes financial intermediation and remittances. In the third section, we identify the challenges and solutions raised by financial institutions. Fourth, the briefing looks at various government agencies’ approach to their immigrant communities and remittances. The last section of the report offers a set of recommendations to the USAID mission for a three-year period.