The headquarters of the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) in downtown Cairo witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to implement a comprehensive financial literacy curriculum for secondary school students.

 The initiative aims to expand financial awareness and strengthen financial inclusion concepts among young people as part of Egypt’s broader efforts to modernize education and prepare students for real-world economic participation.

The agreement was signed through collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), Japan’s Sprix Inc., and Hiroshima University, in the presence of senior government officials.

Attendees included Minister of Education Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Ahmed Rostom, FRA Chairman Islam Azzam, EGX Chairman Omar Reda, and Hiroshima University President Mitsuo Ochi.

Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Mohamed Abdel Latif emphasized that the initiative represents a fundamental transformation in Egypt’s education system, moving students beyond theoretical learning toward practical engagement with economic concepts.

He explained that the new program will integrate financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and investment awareness into the curriculum for second-year secondary students.

Under the program, students who successfully complete the course will be assigned a coded investor profile at the Egyptian Exchange and will receive a funded investment account worth EGP 500, enabling them to participate in supervised stock trading. The subject will be taught as an activity on the national programming and artificial intelligence platform rather than as a traditional pass-or-fail course.

The minister noted that the world has changed rapidly, requiring education systems to evolve accordingly. He stressed that preparing students for the future is no longer sufficient; instead, education must empower them to actively shape that future by understanding value creation, risk management, and long-term decision-making.

Omar Reda, Chairman of the Egyptian Exchange, highlighted that introducing financial literacy at the secondary school level is critical because this stage plays a central role in shaping awareness and decision-making skills. He explained that the initiative will include seminars and educational programs within schools to familiarize students with the stock market and its mechanisms.

He also pointed to the growing interest in capital markets, noting that the Egyptian Exchange attracted approximately 160,000 new investors during the first quarter of 2026, representing nearly 200% growth compared with the same period last year.

According to Reda, the goal is not only to increase participation but to cultivate informed investors capable of making knowledge-based financial decisions.

Officials across multiple ministries described the initiative as a strategic step toward strengthening Egypt’s long-term economic resilience. Minister of Planning and Economic Development Ahmed Rostom stated that integrating financial literacy into the education system will help instill core principles such as saving, investment, and entrepreneurship, supporting national development goals and aligning with Egypt Vision 2030.

He added that financial inclusion indicators have already improved significantly, with recent initiatives contributing to the opening of approximately 2.6 million bank accounts, prepaid cards, and digital wallets, raising the financial inclusion rate to about 76% of the population aged 15 and above.

Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk emphasized that education remains a top government priority and expressed satisfaction at seeing innovative ideas translated into practical initiatives that invest in the future of Egypt’s youth.

Similarly, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Mohamed Farid underscored that embedding financial literacy into school curricula reflects years of coordinated efforts among state institutions and represents a foundation for empowering young people to participate actively in economic development.

The partnership with Japanese institutions plays a central role in the initiative’s design and implementation. Hiroshima University will act as the academic partner responsible for reviewing the scientific framework of the program and ensuring alignment with international educational standards. Meanwhile, Sprix Inc. will provide digital assessment tools, technical expertise, and training programs for teachers and school administrators.

The program will incorporate the Test of Fundamental Academic Skills (TOFAS) system to measure students’ financial literacy competencies and improve the quality of education through data-driven evaluation. Officials described the collaboration as a model for integrating international expertise into national education reforms and positioning Egypt as a regional leader in educational innovation.

Hiroshima University President Mitsuo Ochi expressed confidence that the initiative will help build a generation of financially aware and future-ready students. Sprix President Hiroyuki Tsunishi added that the partnership reflects a comprehensive approach to education that combines financial knowledge with modern technology and practical skill development.

The memorandum of understanding establishes a structured framework for embedding financial literacy into Egypt’s secondary education system, aiming to create a generation capable of managing financial resources, making sound investment decisions, and adapting to evolving economic conditions.

Officials concluded that the initiative represents more than a curriculum change; it is a long-term investment in human capital and a critical step toward linking education with economic realities, strengthening financial inclusion, and supporting sustainable national growth.