-Leaders-Summ.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&trim=342,2149,1090,0#)
CIB partners with Lantern Ventures to boost SME growth
The Commercial International Bank (CIB) has entered into a strategic partnership with Lantern Ventures, a leading Egyptian investment portfolio management firm known for its active role in supporting start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across diverse sectors.
The agreement was signed by Ahmed Tarek, Co-founder of Lantern Ventures, and Yasser Abdallah, Executive Vice President of Retail Banking and SMEs at CIB. The signing ceremony was attended by Mohamed Farouk, Chairperson of Lantern Ventures; Amr El-Ganainy, Executive Vice President and Executive Board Member at CIB; and Hany El-Deeb, Head of Medium and Small Enterprise Credit Products, Sectors, and Relations at CIB.
This partnership aligns with CIB’s long-term strategy to strengthen the SME sector by offering both financial and non-financial services tailored to the specific needs of these businesses. The collaboration also emphasizes supporting companies that create positive societal and environmental impact.
Lantern Ventures provides a range of financial and strategic services to help start-ups scale efficiently and sustainably. The firm is dedicated to advancing local entrepreneurship, empowering business founders, and helping them overcome expansion challenges—especially in navigating new markets. Lantern also plays a key role in fostering Egypt’s innovation and tech ecosystem.
One of Lantern’s signature initiatives is its involvement with “Shark Tank Egypt,” through which it supports entrepreneurs in refining their strategies and building the operational capacity required to thrive in competitive markets.
El-Ganainy emphasized that the partnership underscores CIB’s dedication to advancing SME growth through customized banking solutions.
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to providing the financial tools and resources SMEs need to compete and grow in today’s dynamic economic environment,” he said.
Yasser Abdallah added that SMEs are a vital engine for Egypt’s economic development.
“Through this partnership, we aim to accelerate long-term, sustainable growth by delivering both financial and strategic support to Egypt’s entrepreneurs,” he noted.
Ahmed Tarek, Co-founder of Lantern Ventures, described the agreement as a major milestone in the company’s mission to empower SMEs.
“We are committed to supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. This partnership significantly strengthens our ability to help them grow and succeed,” he said.
Mohamed Farouk, Chairperson of Lantern Ventures, highlighted that Lantern’s role goes beyond investment.
“We serve as a gateway for start-ups and SMEs to access credit financing under competitive and flexible terms. This is crucial to ensuring the sustainability and growth of our portfolio companies,” he said.
The post CIB partners with Lantern Ventures to boost SME growth appeared first on Dailynewsegypt.
