Eng. Sionara El-Asmar, the Executive Vice President and Managing Director of iScore (the Egyptian Credit Bureau), shared some exciting news! She explained that iScore was founded in 2005 and officially began its operations in 2008. It was the very first credit bureau in Egypt, working under the watchful eye of the Central Bank of Egypt and connected to all banks and credit-granting entities. This strong foundation allowed iScore to build a massive database filled with credit information for individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This, in turn, provided precise tools for analyzing risks and making smart financial decisions. El-Asmar shared these insights during her participation in the second session of the Al-Ahram Fintech & Finance 2026 conference. The session was all about 'Digital Transformation in the Banking and Finance Sector, Innovation, Financial Inclusion, and Digitization of the Tax System as Drivers for Future Growth.' The conference itself was held under the patronage of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and the Central Bank of Egypt. El-Asmar highlighted how iScore's role has evolved from simply issuing credit reports to becoming a full-fledged information infrastructure that supports decision-making for banks and non-banking financial companies. She emphasized that data has become a true treasure for those who possess it, as it offers the ability to improve risk management, boost financial inclusion, and make it easier to innovate in digital financial products and services. iScore's journey really shows how crucial digital transformation is in the financial sector. It's not just about providing information; it's a strategic cornerstone for supporting economic growth and achieving genuine financial inclusion, especially with the growing need for innovative financing solutions for SMEs and individuals.
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