Choosing a Brokerage Firm in Egypt

Regulatory Standing

Every broker you consider must hold a valid license from the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) and be a member of the Egyptian Exchange. Membership status and disciplinary history are publicly listed on the EGX and FRA websites.

This is the non-negotiable first filter. A broker without proper licensing offers no investor protection and no recourse in disputes.

Commission Structure

Brokers in Egypt typically charge between 0.15% and 0.40% in commission per trade, on top of mandatory EGX fees, MCDR fees, and stamp duty. Discount brokers and app-first platforms tend to sit at the lower end; full-service brokers with research at the higher end.

Ask for a written fee schedule before you fund. Headline commissions can be misleading if minimum charges per ticket apply to small orders.

Platform and Execution

Modern Egyptian brokers offer mobile apps with real-time quotes, instant funding from local banks, and order entry in seconds. Older institutional brokers may rely on phone-based orders or desktop platforms that feel dated.

If you are an active trader, test the platform's speed, the quality of historical charts, and whether limit orders are honoured precisely. If you are a long-term investor, prioritise stability and statement clarity over flashy features.

Research and Custody

Larger Egyptian brokers (EFG Hermes, CI Capital, HC, Pharos, Beltone) publish research notes on EGX-listed companies. These can be valuable starting points — though, like any sell-side research, they should be read critically.

Custody of your shares always sits at MCDR, regardless of which broker you use. This means switching brokers does not put your shares at risk; the transfer is administrative.

FAQ