Use of mobile wallets operated by telecommunications companies in Egypt increased during the first half of 2026, according to a report issued by the National Telecom Regulatory Authority. The number of registered wallets reached 57.01 million, while the number of financial transactions carried out reached 2.22 billion, with a total value of EGP 2.96 trillion.
These figures reflect clear growth compared with the first half of 2025. The number of wallets increased by 23%, from 46.33 million wallets, and their penetration rate rose to 45%, compared with 39%. The number of transactions also jumped by 62%, from 1.37 billion transactions, while their total value grew by 56%, from EGP 1.90 trillion.
Vodafone Cash Leads the Market
Vodafone Cash accounted for 53% of total wallets, followed by e& cash with 23%, Orange Cash with 20%, and WE Pay with 4%. When active wallets were counted, Vodafone Cash’s share rose to 57%, compared with 24% for e& cash, 17% for Orange Cash, and 2% for WE Pay.
The gap is even larger when financial activity is measured. Vodafone Cash accounted for 69% of the number of transactions and 77% of their value, while e& cash recorded 20% of transactions and 14% of their value. Orange Cash accounted for 10% of transactions and 8% of their value, while WE Pay’s share was 1% on both measures.
Transfers Are the Leading Use
Transfers from one wallet to another represented 54% of the number of transactions and 67% of their value. Mobile and internet top-ups ranked second by number, at 25%, but represented only 1% of transaction value. Deposits accounted for 13% of the number and 17% of the value, while withdrawals represented 4% of the number and 12% of the value.
Regarding deposits, deposits from bank accounts through InstaPay led, accounting for 78% of the number of transactions and 58% of their value, followed by direct deposits at 15% of the number and 28% of the value. For disbursements by number, mobile and internet top-ups led at 76%, while withdrawals dominated the value of disbursed funds, accounting for 75%.
Geographic Expansion Amid a Gender Gap
Mobile wallets were present in all governorates, with Cairo leading at 10.6 million wallets, followed by Giza with 6.5 million, Sharqia with 3.6 million, Alexandria with 3.5 million, and Qalyubia with 3.3 million wallets. By gender, males accounted for 67% of wallets, compared with 33% for females. The age groups from 26 to 35 and from 36 to 45 were the largest, with a 25% share each.
What Is Changing in Practice?
The report’s significance is not limited to the increase in the number of accounts. It also indicates that wallets are shifting from a tool for topping up balances to a channel used for transfers, deposits, withdrawals, and some government services. During the same period, the Authority enabled the use of the short code *7# through WE Pay to activate wallets and conduct certain transactions without an internet connection. It also made it possible to top up prepaid electricity cards using NFC technology, as well as access inquiry and payment services associated with the Criminal Prosecution, Family Prosecution, and Traffic Prosecution through wallets.
These indicators remain a description of the scale and distribution of usage as presented by the Authority, and the material does not specify the number of actual users or the proportion of inactive wallets outside the stated indicator. The continuing gap between male and female usage also remains an area requiring monitoring when assessing the extent of digital financial inclusion.