Speaking at the 9th Annual Capital Markets Summit, organized by Media Avenue under the theme “FinTech: The Path to Investment Inclusion,” Azzam said digital transformation is no longer optional for capital markets.
Instead, he framed it as a necessity driven by rapid advances in financial technology and evolving trading behaviour.
The high-profile summit took place under the patronage of the EGX and the Ministries of Finance and Planning and International Cooperation.
Notable attendees included Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk and Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) Chairman Mohamed Farid, underscoring the government's unified approach to market reform.
Azzam said digital platforms and modern trading applications have expanded the investor base, particularly among younger participants, by streamlining access to investment tools and supporting broader investment inclusion.
He added that the EGX is upgrading its technological infrastructure to gradually integrate data analytics and smart technologies, while maintaining strict governance and risk management frameworks to safeguard market stability.
Azzam identified the diversification of investment instruments as a cornerstone of the next phase, noting progress toward launching a derivatives market and trading futures contracts.
He also said the exchange plans to activate short selling within a month under a regulated operational framework and the supervision of the FRA.
Furthermore, the EGX chairman said work is also underway to develop the secondary bond market to improve liquidity and pricing efficiency, reinforcing the role of the debt market as a key source of financing for the economy.
Azzam noted that the exchange is closely tracking global developments in artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies and is assessing their potential application over the medium and long term.
He added that the EGX plans to further develop its market indices to better reflect trading activity and sector diversity, and to meet the needs of both local and foreign investors.
Azzam concluded that combining technological development, diversified investment instruments, and enhanced financial literacy is essential to building a strong and sustainable capital market that supports economic growth and investment inclusion.
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