Unveiling the Top 10 Innovative Fintech Startups Revolutionizing Financial Services in Egypt

Fintech startups in Egypt have become a central pillar of the country’s surging technological innovation in recent years. The potential for financial technology, or fintech, is immense in Egypt, a nation with the highest population in the Arab world and a significant youthful demographic that creates a favorable market for digital financial services. Despite approximately 33% of adults possessing a bank account as of 2017 (according to the Global Findex database), there remains a substantial opportunity to enhance financial inclusion.

These Egyptian fintech startups are endeavoring to bridge this gap with a variety of innovative solutions that cover digital payments, online lending, personal finance management, payroll services, and more. This rapidly growing sector is bolstered by supportive regulatory frameworks and the Egyptian government’s commitment to promoting digital transformation and financial inclusion. Recognizing this potential, the Central Bank of Egypt initiated a Fintech Regulatory Sandbox in 2020, providing a secure environment for Fintech startups to test and refine their groundbreaking solutions.

The blossoming fintech scene in Egypt has attracted significant investment, with local and international investors recognizing the potential of these startups to revolutionize financial services. Over the last few years, several Egyptian fintech startups have raised substantial funding rounds, while others have even gone public.

In this post, we present the top 10 fintech startups in Egypt that are disrupting the financial landscape through their innovative solutions. These startups are not just transforming the way Egyptians handle money; they are also making a substantial contribution to economic growth and financial inclusion in the country. From digital payments and online lending to personal finance management and real estate financing, these companies represent the diverse and dynamic nature of Egypt’s fintech ecosystem. Let’s delve into each one of them in detail.

1. Fawry:

Fawry is arguably Egypt’s most recognized fintech company. Founded in 2008, it was among the pioneers of digital payments in the region. Fawry offers a broad range of financial services, including bill payments, mobile wallet replenishments, online ticketing, and remittances. In addition to its online platform, Fawry has built an extensive network of brick-and-mortar locations throughout Egypt, allowing it to reach consumers who may not have consistent internet access. Fawry made history in 2019 when it became the first Egyptian fintech to go public.

2. Paymob:

Established in 2015, Paymob is a payment service provider that enables businesses to accept payments online and offline. Their services include a mobile wallet, a payment gateway for online merchants, and a point-of-sale system for physical stores. Paymob’s innovative solutions help businesses to expand their reach, improve customer experience, and achieve sustainable growth. In 2020, the startup raised $15 million in a Series A funding round, highlighting the significant investor interest in Egypt’s fintech market.

3. Khazna:

Khazna is a mobile-based financial technology startup that aims to serve Egypt’s unbanked population. It provides an innovative microloan product through a smartphone application. Khazna’s vision is to help Egypt’s millions of underbanked adults gain access to financial services, which can ultimately drive economic growth and financial inclusion. The startup secured significant seed funding in 2019 and has been expanding its services since then.

4. MoneyFellows:

MoneyFellows is a digital platform that brings traditional offline savings groups online, enabling users to manage and track their money circles efficiently. The company uses a scoring model to assess creditworthiness, making it a safer alternative to the traditional informal savings groups. The startup has managed to draw significant interest from both users and investors, securing $4 million in a Series A funding round in 2020.

5. NowPay:

Launched in 2019, NowPay is a financial wellness platform that allows employees to access their earned salaries at any time during the month. This innovative solution helps to reduce financial stress and increase employee engagement and productivity. The company raised $2.1 million in seed funding in 2020 and aims to further improve financial inclusion in the region.

6. Bee:

Bee is a pioneer in providing versatile and accessible financial services to a largely unbanked population. With a network of more than 32,000 locations across Egypt, Bee offers services such as bill payments, mobile top-ups, and international remittances. It also partnered with Mastercard in 2020 to provide digital payment solutions to Egyptian consumers.

7. Dopay:

Dopay is a cloud-based payroll solution that allows companies to calculate salaries, deduct taxes, and pay employees through a user-friendly dashboard. The platform is designed to help employees without bank accounts, offering a payroll card where they receive their monthly salary. Dopay raised $2.4 million in seed funding in 2015 and has been growing steadily since then.

8. valU:

valU is a leading fintech platform in Egypt offering installment sales services and personal finance management tools. It allows consumers to buy goods and services immediately and pay for them in installments over a defined period. It is focused on enabling consumers to better manage their personal finances by offering flexibility in payment terms and amounts.

9. ElGameya:

ElGameya is a mobile app-based platform for managing ROSCAs (Rotating Savings and Credit Associations), traditional lending circles where people contribute to a common fund, with one member taking the entire sum each cycle. The app allows users to find reliable groups, track transactions, and automate the entire process. ElGameya is bringing a time-tested informal financial system into the digital age.

10. Aqarmap:

While primarily a real estate platform, Aqarmap has also positioned itself in the fintech space. In a country where mortgage penetration is low, Aqarmap has developed services to connect potential home buyers with financing options. It allows users to compare rates from different lenders, thereby making the process of buying property easier and more affordable.

These startups represent the vibrant fintech ecosystem in Egypt, which continues to evolve and grow. The variety of solutions provided by these startups not only serves the needs of Egyptian consumers and businesses but also contributes to the overall financial inclusion in the country. The future of fintech in Egypt is certainly promising, with more innovative solutions expected to emerge in the coming years.