20 Pounds

The Central Bank of Egypt issued a new 20 Egyptian pound polymer banknote in June 2023, using cutting-edge polymer production technology at Egypt's new printing facility in the New Administrative Capital. The green polymer note measures 137 mm x 69 mm and bears the signature of Central Bank Governor Hassan Abdullah. This denomination holds the distinction of being the first Egyptian banknote to incorporate tactile features specifically designed for accessibility: ADA Braille dots crafted on the top-left corner enable blind and visually impaired individuals to identify the banknote's value by touch.

The obverse features the Great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, also known as the Alabaster Mosque, one of Cairo's most iconic Islamic architectural monuments dominating the Cairo Citadel skyline since its completion in 1848. The reverse depicts Queen Cleopatra alongside the Great Pyramid of Giza, Pharaoh Ramses II in a war chariot, and papyrus motifs, representing the grandeur of ancient Egypt. Security features include a transparent window displaying the mosque image with value inscriptions in Arabic script and tactile embossing for additional verification.

The Alabaster Mosque, commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha — the Ottoman viceroy who modernized Egypt in the early 19th century — remains a pilgrimage site for tourists and a symbol of Islamic architecture in Africa. Its placement on the 20 pound note alongside ancient Egyptian imagery creates a visual narrative bridging 3,000 years of Egyptian civilization. The previous paper 20-pound banknote remains valid in parallel circulation.