Visa Inc. has announced the launch of the third round of its “She’s Next” initiative in Egypt, introducing a new format in collaboration with CIB Business Banking and, for the first time, Shark Tank.
The programme is designed to empower women entrepreneurs to adopt digital tools and artificial intelligence, while providing opportunities for visibility, funding access, and strategic business support.
Alongside the launch, Visa also unveiled findings from its inaugural Women SMB Digitization Index in Egypt. The report highlights increasing awareness and adoption of digital technologies and AI among women-led businesses, reflecting their growing role in business transformation and long-term competitiveness. The index evaluates businesses across five key areas: online presence, digital payments adoption, payment security awareness, customer engagement, and customer retention.
Applications for the She’s Next competition opened on April 4 and will remain open until May 9, 2026, inviting women entrepreneurs across Egypt to apply for participation in the programme.
The Women SMB Digitization Index findings highlight key challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs in Egypt, including barriers such as gender bias, access to capital, and logistics constraints, alongside strong motivations driven by financial independence and business growth. The report also underscores increasing adoption of digital payments and artificial intelligence tools, with many women-led businesses using AI for customer engagement, analytics, and operational efficiency.
Visa stated that the She’s Next initiative continues its global commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs, having invested $3.8 million in over 250 grants and coaching programmes since 2020.
