One of the major problems you’ll most likely face in expanding your business into Egypt is digital fraud. Over 53 percent of Egyptians have experienced electronic scams, which is higher than the global average, and 91 percent regularly ignore scam warning signs. That means with millions onboarding via mobile wallets or ID platforms, your business is a prime target.

KYC, or Know Your Customer, is verifying a customer’s identity to defend your business from fraud, build user trust, and align with regulatory guidelines. KYC in Egypt goes beyond fraud prevention; it’s a critical safeguard against money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes. Mishandling it can lead to heavy fines or even regulatory suspension.

 In this article, I’ll guide you through:

• KYC requirements in Egypt
• How KYC and AML compliance work in Egypt in 2025
• Steps to onboard customers successfully
• Common KYC challenges in the market
• How to scale Digital KYC in Egypt with real-time, biometric tools like Dojah

KYC Requirements and AML Compliance in Egypt

In Egypt, KYC processes are governed and enforced through the Anti-Money Laundering Law No. 80 of 2002 and its Executive Regulations. 

This AML law forms the backbone of Egypt’s anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) framework. It mandates all regulated entities to implement effective customer due diligence measures to identify and prevent financial crimes.

Who Must Comply With Egypt’s AML Law?

Egypt’s AML compliance requirements apply across several regulated industries. If you operate in any of the sectors below, compliance is mandatory:

• Banks and financial institutions
• Fintech and digital payment platforms
• Insurance and reinsurance providers
• Telecoms offering mobile financial services
• Real estate agents and legal professionals
• Casinos and gambling operators
• Accountants, precious metals dealers, and other DNFBPs

What Happens If You Don’t Comply?

 Non-compliance with KYC and AML laws in Egypt can lead to serious consequences:

• Penalties, suspensions, or license withdrawal by the CBE or MLCU
• Fines reaching up to twice the value of illicit funds or EGP 5 million.
• Reputational damage and loss of customer trust

Avoid compliance issues. Verify Egypt IDs in real time with facial recognition and liveness detection that stops fraudulent activities on your platform.

Requirements for KYC in Egypt and Accepted Documents

KYC requirements in Egypt can vary depending on the type of financial service or customer you're dealing with. But to stay compliant with Egypt’s AML Law, your team should be familiar with the core documentation typically required. Here's an overview to guide your compliance process:

1. Proof of Identity

 Every customer must submit a valid, government-issued ID. Commonly accepted documents include:

• Egyptian National ID card – the most widely used and preferred identity document
• Passport – valid for both Egyptian nationals and foreigners
• Driver’s license – recognized as a valid form of ID
• Resident card – for foreign residents legally living in Egypt

2.    Proof of Residential Address

To confirm where a customer lives, documents must be recent (usually within the past 3 months):

• Utility bills (electricity, water, gas)
• Bank statements

3.     Corporate Verification Documents (for business clients)

When onboarding companies or legal entities, additional documents are required to verify the business:

• Company registration documents
• Proof of business address (lease agreement, utility bill)

4.    Biometric and Digital Verification

The Central Bank of Egypt permits modern verification methods such as:

• Video-based onboarding
• Biometric checks (face-match, liveness detection)

Ongoing KYC and Record-Keeping

In line with Egypt's AML obligations, copies of all documents must be authenticated by authorized personnel and stored securely for at least five years. Businesses must also regularly update customer records and monitor for changes in customer behavior or risk levels.

How KYC Works in Egypt: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s what the KYC process typically looks like for businesses operating in Egypt. Following these steps helps you verify customers, stay compliant, and protect against financial risks.

Step 1: Identity & Address Capture

Collect government-issued ID (Egyptian National ID, passport, driver’s license, or resident card) and recent proof of address (utility bill or bank statement). 

Step 2: Sanctions & PEP Screening

Screen every customer against national/international sanctions lists and Politically Exposed Person (PEP) databases. This is a mandatory part of both initial onboarding and routine checks.

Step 3: Customer Due Diligence (CDD)

Assess the customer’s profile, activity, and intended use of your service to place them into a risk category: low, medium, or high. This helps determine how much verification and monitoring is needed.

Step 4: Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)

For high-risk customers such as PEPs or those involved in large or cross-border transactions, collect additional documents like the source of funds and beneficial ownership. You should ensure the enhanced review process is well documented.

Step 5: Digital Onboarding & Biometric Verification

Egypt’s CBE supports modern KYC methods like live video onboarding and biometric face-match checks, provided anonymity is disallowed. Third-party providers can be used, though legal liability remains with the regulated institution.

Step 6: Ongoing Monitoring & Periodic Review

Customer profiles and transactions must be continually monitored. Risk levels should be reassessed when unusual activity is detected. Periodic KYC refreshes also help maintain compliance.

Step 7: Record-Keeping & Suspicious Activity Reporting

Store all KYC documents and logs for five years, and report suspicious transactions promptly to the Money Laundering Combating Unit (MLCU) via the channels specified by the CBE directive.

Digital/eKYC Trends in Egypt

Egypt is moving closer to a national eKYC system led by the Central Bank, expected to launch fully by mid-2025. It's part of the country’s Vision 2030 goal to expand financial access, reduce costs, and speed up verification for the underbanked.

Fraud risks are on the rise as internet use and online transactions grow. This eKYC system will allow you to verify customers remotely using biometric checks and digital IDs, making onboarding faster and more secure.

 As Egypt prepares for a full eKYC rollout, now is the time to explore digital verification tools that help you stay compliant and onboard users with confidence.

Common KYC Challenges When Expanding into Egypt

Here are some of the KYC challenges you’re likely to encounter when operating in Egypt:

1. Regulatory Complexity

Due to the upcoming eKYC system, the Central Bank regularly updates its guidelines. This means that Egypt’s KYC and AML laws are constantly evolving. For startups and expanding businesses, keeping up with changing requirements and ensuring timely compliance can be a challenge.

2.    Integration with Government Systems

Digital verification in Egypt relies on linking up with national ID and biometric databases. But integrating these systems isn’t always straightforward. You may face both technical and legal barriers that require extra planning and coordination.

3.   Digital Fraud and Identity Theft

Fraud attempts keep rising as Egypt’s digital economy grows. This includes cases involving phishing and identity theft. Preventing this requires tools like biometric checks and AI fraud detection, which can be expensive or hard to implement without the right infrastructure.

4.   Customer Data Protection

KYC also means handling sensitive personal data, and Egypt’s Personal Data Protection Law comes with strict requirements. You’ll need to make sure every piece of customer information is securely protected, especially if you're dealing with cross-border operations.

5.  Financial Inclusion Barriers

Roughly two-thirds of Egypt’s population is still underbanked. Many people, especially micro-entrepreneurs and gig workers, may not have standard KYC documents. Balancing compliance with accessibility is an ongoing challenge for businesses trying to reach this segment.

7.  Delays in Getting Regulatory Approval

Fintech and startups often use the CBE’s Regulatory Sandbox to test KYC models, but full licensing can still take time. Lengthy approval processes may delay your ability to operate or scale, especially if you're new to the market. Preparing early for this is key to avoiding setbacks.

How Dojah Simplifies KYC Compliance in Egypt 

KYC in Egypt can be overwhelming without the right information or a clear process. You may find yourself dealing with manual checks, delays, or scattered document requirements that slow down onboarding for your users. At the same time, you're expected to stay on top of Egypt’s evolving compliance laws and data protection rules.

When you’re buried in paperwork and manual follow-ups, your team gets stuck and your growth stalls. That’s where Dojah steps in. Dojah helps you stay compliant without losing speed, users, or sleep.

With Dojah, you can:

• Verify Egypt IDs in real time with facial recognition and liveness detection that stops impersonation fraud.
• Speed up onboarding with AI-powered document checks and automated AML screening.
• Easy developer integration means you can get started quickly without spending heavily on engineering resources.

👉  See how Dojah helped Cleva power safe international payments across Africa.

Dojah offered us a seamless verification service via phone number data extraction that made our customer onboarding and verification process effortless. We’ve seen a clear boost in productivity since partnering with them.
 — Joseph Okoroafor, Head of Marketing & Communications, WellaHealth

Onboard Users Fast and Reduce Churn with Dojah

If you’re a fintech startup or growing digital business in Egypt, looking to simplify your onboarding process, cut down fraud, and meet compliance without the friction, Dojah is built for you. 

Our KYC solutions are fast, localized, easy to integrate, and trusted by top African businesses.

👉 Book a demo to get started today.

Frequently Asked Questions About KYC in Egypt

What documents can I use for KYC?
Egyptian National ID, passport, driver’s license, or resident card. You’ll also need proof of address, like a recent utility bill or bank statement.

How do Egypt's KYC laws affect my business?
They require you to verify customer identities, monitor transactions, and report suspicious activity to stay compliant with AML regulations.

Can KYC be done fully online?
Yes. With digital tools like Dojah, you can verify users remotely using biometrics and secure document checks.

What happens if I don’t comply?
You risk regulatory penalties, heavy fines, or restrictions from the Central Bank or anti-money laundering unit.