CAIRO — The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the Central Bank of Eswatini have discussed expanding cooperation in financial technology, cross-border payments, and banking development as part of broader efforts to strengthen African financial integration and increase intra-African trade.
According to a CBE statement issued on Monday, the discussions focused on improving cooperation between the two banking institutions, including the development of more efficient payment systems that could facilitate trade and financial transactions between African countries.
The two sides also discussed the proposal for establishing a pan-African gold bank, an initiative aimed at strengthening Africa’s role in managing its natural resources, supporting financial stability, and creating new investment opportunities across the continent.
The proposed institution is expected to explore mechanisms for using Africa’s gold resources to support economic development, enhance financial security, and promote greater cooperation among African economies.
The talks also covered capacity building in the banking sector, with Egypt offering to share technical expertise, training programs, and institutional experience with Eswatini to strengthen financial sector capabilities.
The meeting reflects growing efforts among African countries to improve regional financial connectivity, particularly through initiatives supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and reducing dependence on external financial systems.
Egypt has increasingly positioned itself as a financial and banking hub in Africa, promoting cooperation with central banks across the continent in areas such as digital payments, financial inclusion, and monetary policy development.
Eswatini, for its part, is seeking to expand international financial partnerships and strengthen its banking sector to support economic growth and regional trade.
Officials from both institutions said the cooperation would contribute to deeper economic ties between the two countries and support broader African efforts toward financial integration and sustainable development.
