Held from December 3–6 in El Gouna, the retreat took place in partnership with the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) Sandbox, with strong representation from the Authority’s leadership across its various domains. The delegation included Eng. Ahmed Khalifa, Executive Director of the Regulatory Sandbox (FRA Sandbox) and Chief Data Officer; Mr. Walid Anwar, Advisor for the Non-Banking Financial services Sector; Mr. Mahmoud Gabril, Deputy Assistant to the FRA Chairman; Dr. Mostafa Khalil, Deputy Assistant to the FRA Chairman; Mr. Hatem Nour, Deputy Assistant to the FRA Chairman; and Eng. Sherif Yehia, Deputy Assistant to the FRA Chairman. Their engagement enriched policy discussions and demonstrated their commitment to fostering an innovation-friendly environment.

JRNY extends special appreciation to his excellency Dr. Mohamed Farid, Chairman of the Financial Regulatory Authority, for his continued support of this partnership, which played a pivotal role in amplifying the impact of this year’s retreat.

This year’s edition brought together more than 130 senior leaders from fintech startups, banks, financial institutions, regulatory bodies, investment firms, and ecosystem enablers—strengthening the retreat’s position as one of Egypt’s most influential platforms for shaping the future of financial technology.

The retreat was supported by leading local industry players, including Raya Data Center (a subsidiary of Raya Information Technology, which is a portfolio company of Raya Holding for Financial Investments), Farida | Coldwell Banker, and Lucky, whose commitment contributed to creating a truly collaborative environment.

Over three days, participants engaged in deep-dive discussions, masterclasses, and road-mapping sessions focused on:

·        Strengthening the connection between regulatory authorities and the private sector to enable product evolution and the introduction of innovative solutions to the market

·        Building a shared vision among market shapers to deliver better experiences for end beneficiaries, while advancing financial inclusion and expanding access for underserved communities

·        Exploring practical applications of AI, blockchain, and cloud technologies tailored to the Egyptian market

·        Supporting startup–corporate partnerships and enabling scalable fintech growth

This edition reflects JRNY’s ongoing commitment to building community, fostering dialogue, and driving meaningful impact across the financial technology sector. The outcomes of the retreat will be shared in an official meeting with the FRA to capitalize on the collective wisdom of the participants and guide future initiatives.