Mohamed Farid: FRA Successfully Launches 4 Gold Investment Funds as Part of Market Diversification Strategy

Mohamed Farid, Chairman of Egypt’s Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), said the Authority has successfully regulated and launched four gold investment funds as part of its strategy to diversify investment instruments and provide hedging-oriented financial products suitable for different categories of investors.

Speaking at a press conference held today under the title “2025 Harvest – From Regulation to Empowerment,” Farid stated that the total net assets of gold investment funds reached approximately EGP 5.145 billion by the end of December 2025, while the number of investors exceeded 324,000, reflecting growing demand for these instruments as both savings and investment vehicles amid ongoing economic volatility.

Farid noted that gold investment funds have recorded strong growth since their launch. Net assets increased gradually from around EGP 839 million by the end of January 2024 to EGP 1.308 billion by the end of December 2024. Assets continued to rise to EGP 1.721 billion by the end of March 2025, EGP 2.438 billion by the end of June 2025, and reached EGP 3.155 billion by the end of September 2025.

He added that the number of investors grew in parallel with asset expansion, rising from 79,000 investors in January 2024 to 139,000 by the end of September 2024, then to 185,000 investors by the end of March 2025, and reaching 239,000 investors by the end of September 2025. This growth reflects the funds’ success in attracting new investors, particularly individuals.

Farid emphasized that from the outset, the FRA has established a robust regulatory framework for gold investment funds to ensure sound pricing, custody, and valuation mechanisms. He noted that linking investments to physical gold enhances transparency and safeguards investors’ rights.

He explained that regulating gold investment funds forms part of a broader FRA strategy aimed at deepening the non-banking financial sector, expanding diversified savings instruments, reducing reliance on traditional investment channels, and supporting financial inclusion. Farid added that the Authority continues to study the launch of new investment products linked to commodities and real assets in the coming period.