Micro-Enterprise Loans - Egypt
Through our partnership with Global Hope Network International (GHNI), CT Trust is helping to provide small micro-enterprise loans to women in need in Cairo and surrounding communities.
Empowering Women & Families
In April 2025, David and Margaret visited GHNI's projects in Cairo, meeting women living in densely populated informal settlements including Ezbet El Haggana and Ezbet El Nakhl. Facing minimal infrastructure, limited employment options, and high costs of living, these women demonstrated remarkable initiative and determination to support their families.
Through small seed loans, women are given the essential startup capital to launch or expand home-based and neighborhood enterprises, transforming their household income and providing long-term economic stability.
An Example of the Difference a Micro-Loan Can Make
In the informal settlement of Ezbet El Nakhl, opportunities for women to earn an independent income are scarce. Through GHNI's micro-loan program, a local woman received seed capital to launch an enterprise selling ice cream, manufacturing cleaning products, and making candy floss.
With her earnings, she was able to achieve financial autonomy, cover vital household needs, and reliably provide for her children's education and health.
"Before receiving this loan, it was difficult to afford basic necessities," she shared. "Now, I am running a sustainable business that supports my entire family, and I have repaid my loan in full so another woman in our community can do the same."
Income-Generation Projects
These seed loans support a diverse range of viable, local small businesses:
- Sewing & Tailoring: Equipping women with sewing machines, fabrics, and supplies for custom clothing repairs and garments.
- Small Retail Shops: Inventory capital for neighborhood convenience stalls and grocery kiosks.
- Home Product Manufacturing: Ingredients and packaging to produce soaps, detergents, ice creams, and candy floss.
- Cosmetology & Hairdressing: Tools and products for salon and hair styling services.
Project Progress
David and Margaret visited Cairo to inspect GHNI's active micro-enterprise programs firsthand and hear inspiring stories directly from women entrepreneurs.
Funding expanded across Cairo communities, enabling over 50 women to launch and grow enterprises across clothing repair, food production, and retail shops.
Outstanding success! A 100% repayment rate has been achieved across all active loans. Repaid capital is promptly re-loaned to new applicants, multiplying the project’s impact.
As repaid loans cycle forward into new businesses, every dollar donated continues to work year after year, building sustainable self-reliance for generations.
