Egypt’s FRA Extends Deadline for Debt Collection Company Registration
Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) has extended the grace period for companies and entities operating in the non-banking financial sector before restrictions on using unregistered debt collection companies take effect.
The six-month extension moves the deadline to January 22, 2027. After that date, non-banking financial institutions will no longer be permitted to work with debt collection companies that are not included in the FRA’s newly established register.
The FRA Board of Directors issued the extension under Decision No. 139 of 2026, chaired by FRA Chairperson Islam Azzam. The additional time will allow debt collection companies to complete the registration process while the authority strengthens oversight and addresses unregulated practices in the sector.
More Than 30 Applications Under Review
The FRA has registered two debt collection companies under Board Decision No. 278 of 2025. Applications from more than 30 other companies are currently under review.
As part of the registration process, applicants must provide detailed information about their businesses. Required disclosures include the company’s legal name, structure, business purpose, registered head office, executive management, legal representatives, and official contact information. These details are intended to improve transparency and allow market participants to confirm whether a debt collection company is properly registered.
Companies must submit their applications with supporting documents, including their articles of association, audited financial statements, and previous debt collection contracts. Once the FRA receives all required documentation, it has 30 days to review the application and issue a decision.
Financial and Operational Requirements
Debt collection companies applying for registration must be incorporated as commercial entities and list debt collection among their authorized business activities. Applicants must also have minimum issued and paid-up capital of EGP 10 million, or the equivalent amount in a foreign currency. In addition, shareholders’ equity must total at least EGP 20 million.
A company that does not meet the EGP 20 million shareholders’ equity threshold may still qualify if it has conducted debt collection activities for at least three years before submitting its application. However, its shareholders’ equity cannot be lower than its paid-up capital.
Customer Notification and Complaint Monitoring
The regulations also establish requirements for non-banking financial companies that hire debt collection firms.
These institutions must tell customers which debt collection companies they have contracted. They must also explain how customers can verify the identities of collectors and provide the official communication channels through which the collection companies may be contacted. Institutions are additionally responsible for monitoring complaints filed against debt collection companies and taking corrective action when necessary.
The FRA Chairperson may impose administrative measures when a registered company violates the regulatory framework. Available actions include issuing a warning, suspending the company’s registration, or removing it from the register. These measures are intended to support compliance with the registration framework and protect the interests of market participants.
