Norhan Ezzat is a transaction banking executive and advisor specializing in Islamic finance, structured trade and digital payments across MENA markets.
With over 15 years of experience spanning multinational, regional and Islamic banks, including Standard Chartered and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, she brings a unique perspective on building transaction banking businesses in both conventional and Shariah-compliant frameworks. Currently serving as Head of Transaction Banking at Bank of Sharjah, Norhan is developing an integrated GTB platform encompassing cash management, trade finance, supply chain finance and payments.
Norhan has built and scaled digital transaction banking businesses from strategy through execution and commercialization. She has led digital transformation programs that designed and launched online payments and trade platforms, achieving significant commercial traction through disciplined product development and go-to-market execution. Her experience spans originating Egypt’s first BaaS-enabled embedded finance solution, structuring strategic fintech partnerships across payments and supply chain finance as well as commercializing new revenue streams in regulated banking environments. Her work focuses on translating product innovation into revenue-generating businesses, from developing Shariah-compliant supply chain finance structures to building fintech partnerships that enable faster product launches and broader market reach.
Beyond her executive role, Norhan advises fintech platforms and emerging banks on transaction banking strategy across digital channel development, Islamic product structuring and regulatory frameworks in MENA markets. She has contributed to industry publications and speaks regularly at regional forums and conferences including EBRD, GTR and ICC on topics ranging from MLETR adoption and cross-border trade corridors to Islamic trade finance and women’s leadership in financial services.
Norhan holds an INSEAD Global Executive MBA with distinction, is a CFA charterholder and holds the Certified Shariah Advisor & Auditor qualification from AAOIFI. She actively contributes to shaping best practices for transaction banking across emerging MENA markets.