Barq, a Saudi fintech company, has partnered with Alipay+ to enhance cross-border payments, becoming part of Alipay+’s international network. This collaboration supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by improving financial transactions and boosting tourism. Barq’s previous partnership with Mastercard in 2024 further strengthens its payment solutions.
Yuze, a UAE-based digital business banking platform, is set to expand into India in Q2 2025. The platform will offer SMEs and freelancers in India tailored financial solutions, including digital accounts, automated invoicing, and expense tracking tools. Yuze aims to support financial inclusion and business growth in India’s digital economy.
Khazna, an Egyptian fintech startup, has raised $16 million in pre-Series B funding, bringing its total funding to over $63 million. The company provides financial services like salary advances and microloans to low-income workers. It plans to expand into Saudi Arabia and apply for a digital banking license in Egypt.
Halan Microfinance Bank, expanding into Pakistan, plans to enhance financial inclusion through digital and microfinance services. With a focus on underserved communities, the company aims to provide unsecured loans, vehicle financing, and Shariah-compliant products. Halan has already acquired Advance Microfinance Bank and plans to double its customer base in Pakistan.
Akurateco and DineroPay have partnered to advance mobile payments in Saudi Arabia. By implementing Apple Pay, Google Pay, and network tokenization technology, the collaboration aims to enhance security and scalability in mobile transactions, aligning with regulatory requirements and supporting the region’s transition toward digital-first financial solutions.
Easypaisa has become Pakistan’s first digital retail bank after receiving commercial approval from the State Bank of Pakistan. Supported by Telenor and Alipay, Easypaisa has evolved from a mobile wallet service to a full-fledged digital bank, with 50 million registered users and a significant role in the country’s financial inclusion.
Ebana, a Saudi fintech startup, raised $2.66 million in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Esnad Legal Consulting. The funding will support the expansion of its investor relations tools and digital governance solutions, helping businesses adopt modern, transparent, and efficient governance practices across Saudi Arabia.
Paytm is expanding its global presence by establishing new subsidiaries in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore through its subsidiary, Paytm Cloud Technologies. The move aligns with its strategy to grow in international markets. Additionally, Mobiquest Mobile Technologies is selling its stake in Xceed IT Solutions.
Raseedi has acquired Kashat, owner of Pharos Microfinance S.A.E., to expand its product offerings by introducing instant loans for Egypt’s underbanked population. This acquisition enhances Raseedi’s daily fintech app and leverages its credit scoring algorithm to offer quick, digital loans to small business owners, driving financial inclusion.
Thunes has integrated PayPal’s Hyperwallet into its Direct Global Network, enabling real-time fund transfers to over 450 million mobile wallets and bank accounts across six APAC countries. This partnership enhances Hyperwallet’s ability to support cross-border payments through Thunes’ extensive network and payment capabilities.
