53% of Egyptian SMEs adopt digital payments

Around 53 percent of SMEs have integrated digital payments, reporting clear benefits, while 77 percent of SME owners believe electronic transactions will be central to their business growth.

Merchants said e-payments helped boost sales (37 percent), strengthen customer loyalty (32 percent), and improve customer experience through convenience and speed (46 percent).

Over 80 percent expressed satisfaction with card and wallet-based systems, citing their speed, security, and flexibility.

Among SMEs already using digital payments, 61 percent said they plan to further invest in modern payment tools, especially card systems (45 percent) and mobile wallets (36 percent).

Visa said such tools have evolved from simple payment methods to “strategic instruments” for efficiency, customer experience, and growth.

The study also highlighted persistent challenges, including a continued reliance on cash and limited digital awareness among some merchants.

To help address these gaps, Visa is rolling out solutions tailored to small businesses, such as Tap to Phone and Click to Pay, which allow payments without costly point-of-sale devices, along with data analytics tools, loyalty programmes, and advanced fraud protection.

“SMEs are a fundamental engine of Egypt’s economic growth,” Malak El Baba, Visa’s country manager for Egypt, told Ahram Online. “By producing safe and effective digital tools, we are empowering businesses of all sizes to increase efficiency, expand sales, and enter new markets.”

El Baba said Visa aims to expand secure digital solutions to rural areas and underserved governorates through partnerships with government and private institutions, supporting broader financial inclusion.