In a significant development for digital content creators in Egypt, Google announced that starting May 1, 2025, it will transition payments for services such as AdSense and YouTube AdSense from USD to Egyptian pounds (EGP).
This information was conveyed to users via emails sent by Google on Wednesday. When contacted by Ahram Online to clarify the reasons behind this decision, Google acknowledged the importance of planning for such a change.
“We recognize that financial adjustments can take time, which is why we are notifying our community six months ahead of the change,” the company stated. “Our commitment to supporting content creators and publishers in Egypt remains steadfast.”
This transition aligns Egypt with other countries, including Chile, Indonesia, Jordan, and Mexico, where payments are already made in local currencies. Google plans to expand this initiative further in 2025.
Importantly, the company reassured users that the overall value received by creators and advertisers will not change; only the currency in which payments are issued will differ.
New Payment Structures
To facilitate this transition, Google will establish new payment accounts for Egyptian users in Egyptian pounds starting April 1, 2025. Creators will need to link a bank account capable of receiving these local payments to ensure a smooth revenue flow.
Managing Existing Balances
For users with valid payment methods and balances exceeding $25, Google will convert these amounts to Egyptian pounds and process the payments in April 2025. Users with lower balances or without valid payment methods will also see their funds converted and moved to the new local account based on the previous month’s exchange rate.
Access to Account History
Although US dollar payment accounts will be deactivated after April 2025, users will still have access to their payment history via the “Payments” page, ensuring transparency and continuity.
Wider Implications
Google’s commitment to issuing payments in local currencies extends to multiple countries worldwide, including Japan and the UAE. Research by Public First highlights Google’s significant impact on the Egyptian economy, where the company contributed around EGP 11.2 billion in 2021.
Additionally, the number of YouTube channels in Egypt generating revenue of EGP 1 million or more has surged by over 50 percent year-on-year. According to Google, this shift marks a pivotal step in its strategy to bolster local economies and enhance the experience for Egyptian content creators.
As the digital landscape evolves, these changes reflect Google’s strong commitment to meeting local market needs while supporting creators and advertisers in Egypt.
