The Gold Level is the highest level of achievement and signifies that the certified institution meets the most rigorous standards of client protection found in the universal standards of social performance management.
Ahmed Khorched “This achievement is a result of a three-year strategic partnership journey with leading international organizations who support socio-economic development, most notably the IFC. The journey culminated in Tamweely receiving the Gold-Level of Client Protection Certificate based on the international Social Performance Management (SPM) standards set by Cerise+SPTF.
Cairo, 15th of July 2025 – Tamweely continues its journey of achieving internationally recognized certifications that confirm its professional excellence and commitment to best practices in the non-banking financial services sector. The company marks a significant achievement by obtaining the Gold Level of Client Protection Certificate. The certification was issued following an independent assessment conducted by Microfinanza Rating (MFR), a globally recognized Italian firm specializing in institutional rating. The process was supported by technical assistance from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and under the direct supervision of Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA).
Ahmed Khorched, CEO, Managing Director, and Vice Chairman of Tamweely, stated that the certification journey toward the certification began in Q1 2023, as part of a national initiative led by the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) and the Egyptian Federation for Financing MSMEs – (MSMEF) that was then supported by an IFC project aimed at preparing the largest microfinance programs in Egypt achieve Client Protection Certification. It was driven by Tamweely’s belief in adopting client protection standards not merely as an external requirement, but as a core institutional necessity aligned with its strategy and corporate values. Tamweely’s Business Excellence Team developed a comprehensive action plan to strengthen adherence to client protection principles, putting customer-centricity on the top of the company’s priorities.
Tamweely’s vision to transform into a regional and international financial institution requires us to operate at the highest international standards,” Khorched added., “This certification reinforces our leadership position and supports our ambitions for future expansion.”
Dr. Dalal Takla, Chief Business Excellence Officer at Tamweely, elaborated on the implementation process, noting that the project began with an in-depth assessment of the eight Client Protection Principles outlined by Cerise+SPTF. The team conducted a comprehensive internal review to assess compliance across departments, using the findings to develop an actionable improvement plan. This plan involved cross-functional collaboration, revising key policies and procedures, and embedding customer-centric practices throughout the organization. Where teamwork and collective commitment played a decisive role in aligning operational practices with the philosophy and requirements of the certification.
As part of the FRA and MSMEF’s initiative, IFC supported the certification process, by providing extensive technical guidance, including an initial assessment of Tamweely’s policies, procedures, and practices against the eight client protection standards and a roadmap for closing identified gaps. This partnership was crucial in preparing Tamweely for the final evaluation phase.
Saad Sabrah, IFC’s Country Head for Egypt commented “MSMEs play a crucial role in Egypt’s economic growth and their access to responsible finance is key to inclusive and sustainable development, and Tamweely, as the first company to achieve Gold-level Client Protection Certification has taken an important step forward in more effectively delivering responsible and impactful financial services to communities”
Islam Ali, Senior Manager of Quality at Tamweely, highlighted that IFC praised the professionalism and organizational readiness of Tamweely’s team. He noted that the IFC’s advisory services helped align company policies and field operations with the global benchmarks set by Cerise+SPTF, culminating in a successful evaluation conducted by MFR.
Khorched emphasized that achieving Gold-Level Certification is not the end, it marks the beginning of a long-term commitment to continuous improvement in governance, transparency, and customer care. At Tamweely, we believe that microfinance goes beyond financial services, it is a mission rooted in development, responsibility, and ethics. We remain dedicated to delivering inclusive, responsible, and secure financial solutions to the communities we serve.
