CEO & Executive Board Member, Commercial International Bank (CIB) Egypt
Mr. Hisham Ezz Al-Arab was reappointed as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Board Member of Commercial International Bank (CIB) – Egypt in November 2024, marking a return to the helm of Egypt’s largest private-sector bank. With over 40 years of international banking experience across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, he is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the region’s financial services industry.
Career Journey
-
Early Career: Began his banking career in London, working with Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, and JP Morgan before joining CIB in 1999.
-
CIB Leadership (2002–2020): Served as Chairman and Managing Director, transforming CIB from a wholesale lender with a market capitalization of EGP 1 billion into Egypt’s largest private-sector bank, valued at over EGP 300 billion. Under his leadership, CIB became a benchmark for emerging market banks, with listings on the New York and London Stock Exchanges.
-
Advisory & Return to CIB: Founded HE Advisory in 2020, providing strategic counsel on growth, fundraising, and fintech innovation. In 2022, he briefly served as advisor to the Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt before rejoining CIB as a Non-Executive Director. He was appointed Chairman of CIB in March 2023 and later reappointed CEO in November 2024.
Strategic Vision
Mr. Ezz Al-Arab has consistently championed entrepreneurial culture, meritocracy, and global best practices in governance and risk management. His leadership introduced sustainability and gender equality initiatives, making CIB the first Egyptian bank to publish a sustainability report and sign the UN Principles for Responsible Banking.
-
Digital Transformation: Established Egypt’s first Data Analytics unit within a bank, driving digital innovation.
-
Regional Expansion: Spearheaded CIB’s entry into East Africa through the acquisition of Mayfair Bank in Kenya (now CIB Kenya Limited), supporting Egyptian corporates expanding into Africa.
-
Future Strategy: Currently leading a five-year transformation plan (2026–2030) to position CIB for sustainable growth amid evolving macroeconomic and regulatory landscapes.
Recognition & Awards
Mr. Ezz Al-Arab’s leadership has earned global acclaim:
-
Best CEO in Egypt & Africa – EMEA Finance (2014)
-
Outstanding Contribution to Financial Services in the Middle East – Euromoney (2016)
-
Best Bank in Global Emerging Markets – Euromoney (2016)
-
Best Bank for Social Responsibility in the Middle East – Global Finance (2018)
-
Lifetime Achievement Awards – African Banker (2023) & Global Finance (2025)
-
CEO of the Year – MEED (2025)
Social Impact
As Chairman of the CIB Foundation, founded in 2010, he has championed healthcare initiatives for underprivileged children across Egypt. The Foundation has impacted nearly 8 million children, building partnerships across government, private, and NGO sectors to advance universal access to quality healthcare.
Board Memberships & Affiliations
Mr. Ezz Al-Arab has held numerous influential roles, including:
-
Former Chairperson, Federation of Egyptian Banks
-
Member, Institute of International Finance (IIF), Washington
-
Member, Emerging Markets Advisory Council (EMAC)
-
Former board member of GB Capital, Gulf Insurance Group (GIG), Fairfax Africa, RW MENA, Smart Africa, and the American University in Cairo, where a scholarship was established in his name.
