Karim Awad is the group CEO, chairman of the executive committee, and a member of the board of directors at EFG Holding S.A.E., a pioneering financial institution that includes a Universal Bank in Egypt and the region’s leading investment bank.
With over 25 years of experience, Awad began his journey at EFG Hermes in 1998, rising through the ranks to lead its Investment Banking division in 2007. He assumed the role of CEO of the investment bank in 2012, before becoming Group CEO of EFG Holding in 2013.
Under his leadership, EFG Holding underwent a strategic transformation — divesting non-core assets, including its stake in Lebanon’s Credit Libanais, and refocusing its vision to become the financial solutions provider of choice in the MENA region. This shift was built on six pillars: top talent, regional positioning, selective expansion, product innovation, profitability, and strong public responsibility.
In the past decade, the firm has strengthened its sell-side operations in Egypt, UAE, KSA, and Kuwait. On the buy-side, it consolidated its asset management operations with FIM and re-established its private equity presence, investing in renewables, education, and healthcare.
A major milestone came with the creation of EFG Finance, a non-bank financial institution platform offering leasing, microfinance, fintech, mortgages, payments, and insurance services. In 2021, EFG completed the acquisition of Bank NXT in Egypt, cementing its position as a universal banking platform. In 2025, Valu became the first consumer finance firm to list on the Egyptian Exchange, with Amazon acquiring a stake on day one.
In 2024, EFG Holding reported revenues of EGP24.4bn and profits of EGP4.3bn — a testament to Awad’s strategic foresight. He holds a BBA from the American University in Cairo.
