Tamara’s Post

Listen to "The Story of Fintech Evolution in Egypt" with Karim Riad, Senior Director Enterprise Products at Fawry and xCPO at Klivvr. Explore the growth of the fintech industry in Egypt, learn about navigating regulatory challenges, and discover strategies for product management in emerging markets. Don't miss this insightful conversation! Check the full episode with Karim Riad on The Product.Live here https://lnkd.in/ePURMrCV #Fintech #Egypt #ProductManagement #Product #TheProductLive #Leadership #TechLeadership #BusinessStrategy #Innovation #TechTrends #ProductDevelopment #DigitalTransformation #Agile #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #ProductDesign #UXDesign #DataAnalytics #AIML #TechStartups #LeadershipDevelopment #ProductStrategy #BusinessInsights #Productivity #TechCommunity #LeadershipTips #CustomerFeedback #ScaleUp #ProductInnovation #StrategicPlanning #EmergingTech

I had the privilege of attending the 24th FinTech gathering, where I was surrounded by visionary leaders driving the future of finance. The energy was electric ⚡, with rich conversations on innovation, digital transformation, and the power of collaboration. What truly stood out was the incredible passion from young entrepreneurs, pitching groundbreaking startups that are shaping the future. 🚀💡 With 75% of industry experts agreeing that FinTech is the key disruptor of traditional finance, it’s thrilling to witness Saudi Arabia’s rapid growth in this sector, making a global impact. The excitement around the ongoing evolution in the Saudi market is undeniable, and the future looks brighter than ever. 🌍✨ #FinTechRevolution #SaudiVision2030 #Innovation #DigitalTransformation

I'm seeing a lot of people asking - can Saudi Arabia Build a Competitive Fintech Hub by 2030? The short answer is... Yes! With Vision 2030 driving ambitious goals, including the aim to have over 500 fintechs operating by 2030, the momentum is palpable. The success story so far is impressive, with Fintech Saudi spearheading efforts to nurture the ecosystem, resulting in a significant increase in operating fintechs and job creation. However, as Saudi Arabia strides forward, the importance of regional collaboration within the GCC cannot be overstated. With Saudi Arabia leading the charge, the vision of a unified GCC market holds promise for exponential growth and innovation. #FintechSaudi #Vision2030 #GCCcollaboration #FutureofFinance

Great day with the #Chubb Saudi Arabia and MENA #leadership in Singapore; It's truly #inspiring to witness Saudi Arabia's commitment to transforming into a #digital powerhouse under Vision 2030. The #fintech strategy has a goal of achieving 70% #cashless transactions by 2030 , aiming to attack top talent and become #global leader in the digital arena.

#MENADealsWithStrategyConnect During the latter half of June 2024, we witnessed a mix of industry-specific investments across the MENA region: Fintech Innovation in Egypt and UAE: 💰 Connect Money: This Egypt-based fintech startup raised $8M in a seed round, led by prominent investors aiming to boost financial inclusion and digital payments in the region. 💰 Comfi Payments: UAE's fintech player, secured a $5M debt facility to expedite its Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) plans, a move reflecting the growing demand for flexible payment solutions. Food Delivery Expansion in Iraq: 💰 Alsaree3 Group Ltd.: The Iraq-based food delivery app closed a seven-figure series round, backed by Iraq Venture Partners, Euphrates Ventures, and Snoonu. This funding will help enhance logistics and expand its market reach. Edutainment Growth in Saudi Arabia: 💰 Jeel: Saudi Arabia's edutainment platform attracted a significant seven-figure investment from RZM Investments and angel investors. This deal underscores the rising interest in combining education with entertainment to engage younger audiences. Despite these notable deals, the overall number of transactions has decreased compared to previous months. This trend indicates a more cautious investment approach in the MENA region, possibly due to global economic uncertainties. Stay tuned for more insights and updates by following StrategyConnect. #MENADeals #InvestmentTrends #Fintech #Edutainment #FoodDelivery #StrategyConnect

Mastercard recently optimized its regional network in the Middle East and Africa, leading to the formation of the West Arabia division under the leadership of Division President Adam Jones. In an exclusive interview with Economy Middle East, Adam Jones executive vice president and division president for West Arabia at Mastercard, emphasizes that the creation of the West Arabia division is a clear indication of the incredible growth and evolution of customer needs. Furthermore, the discussion dives into Mastercard’s role in the region’s tourism sector, and the actions made towards fostering financial inclusion which includes supporting MSMEs and fintech startups. Read the full interview: https://lnkd.in/da3vwuhD #MasterCard #MiddleEast #WestArabia #DigitalPayments #Finance #Fintech #Technology

24 Fintech has successfully concluded its first edition in Riyadh, marking the debut of the world's largest financial technology exhibition, according to the organisers. Hosted by Saudi Arabia's Financial Sector Development Programme (FSDP), the Saudi Arabian Central Bank (SAMA), the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and the Insurance Authority (IA), the three-day event at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre attracted 36,959 attendees, more than 300 brands and over 350 investors. Tahaluf led the event alongside Fintech Saudi | فنتك السعودية and declared it an unprecedented success, making it the largest debut fintech event in history. The event witnessed significant developments, including multi-million dollar acquisitions, venture capital investments and MoUs to further develop the Kingdom's fintech ecosystem. The first Fintech Forge Pitch Competition also concluded, with US$250,000 in prize money awarded to startups. Ejari, a Saudi real estate technology company, took home the top prize of US$100,000. 24 Fintech is positioned to become the flagship fintech event in the Kingdom, positioning Saudi Arabia as a global fintech hub and shaping the future of the financial ecosystem. I myself had the pleasure to attend this event, and can only endorse this great experience. Truly incredible organization, can't wait for next time! (Image by TheFintechTimes) #24Fintech #SaudiArabia #Fintech #Payments #DigitalTransformation #FinancialInclusion

Saudi Arabia has set ambitious fintech goals as part of its Vision 2030 strategy, aiming to significantly increase the number of fintech companies, the sector’s GDP contribution, and the volume of venture capital (VC) investments. To achieve these goals, the country must address key challenges, including global positioning, regulatory frameworks, market conditions, funding levels, talent acquisition, technology infrastructure, and collaboration. These challenges also present opportunities for innovation and growth, according to a new report by Arthur D. Little (ADL). Released in April 2024 and co - written by good colleague and industry expert Arjun Vir Singh, the report examines the state of fintech in Saudi Arabia and outlines recommendations to overcome these challenges and reach the country’s fintech goals. Saudi Arabia must adopt a comprehensive strategy to enrich and diversify the fintech ecosystem, integrating it with other international hubs. The report emphasizes expanding underdeveloped verticals such as regtech and insurtech, driving technological advancement, and supporting fintech pioneers in their expansion or IPO aspirations. I have attached the full report for you down below! #SaudiArabia #Fintech #Vision2030 #VC #Investment #FintechSaudi

🌟 Saudi Arabia 24 Fintech Conference! 🌟 Sneak peek from last week's kickoff of the Saudi Arabia 24 Fintech Conference in Riyadh! This highly anticipated event brought together world leaders and industry experts to discuss the Kingdom’s rapid growth in the financial technology landscape. We are thrilled that convz had the opportunity to attend the event and listen to discussions about the innovations shaping the industry's future, alongside our team - Alessandro Casuccio, Afaf Alotaibi, Gabriel Castellanos, Tomas P., and Hamza Ali Shah. As part of this exciting event, one particular session caught our interest. The panel discussion titled 'MENA Digital Payments - Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities' provided a deep dive into the evolution of payment technologies, from the days when people could transact only with cash to the current era of digital payments. The speakers highlighted how services like "Buy Now, Pay Later" and online payments are revolutionizing the way we transact, whether in a restaurant or while shopping online. Fintech is not just changing payments; it is changing everything. During the event, the incredible growth of Saudi Arabia's fintech sector was also emphasized. This sector has drawn in $1.84 billion in venture capital since 2018 and allowed the rise of over 216 startups - many of whom now call the capital Riyadh home, with their over 6,500 employees. The future of Fintech in the region looks bright, and we're excited to be part of this journey! #Convz #Fintech #SaudiArabia #Riyadh #Innovation #MENA

Saudi Arabia's fintech sector is at the forefront of driving digital transformation in the region. With over SR4 billion (USD1 billion) invested in local fintech companies, initiatives like Fintech Saudi by SAMA and CMA are propelling the #Kingdom towards its goal of becoming a leading fintech hub in the MENA region. Big VC players like Sanabil investments, Shorooq Partners and accelerator programs have been key in fostering this growth over the past 5 years. Saudi Arabia's youthful population, with 65% under 35 years old, it is important to see the shift in the financial sector is fueled by the rise of mobile phones, banking apps, and digital payment methods. 🔊 At our 3rd Edition of #SeamlessKSA, we are bringing back the focus on KSA based start-ups again with our #Seamless #Startup showcase. 🔊 If you are a #Bankingtechnologies, #Payments, #Fintech start-up who is less than 2 years and less than $1million in revenue, registered in KSA and is keen on connecting with the big banking players, then you have to be part of the #complimentary space! If you are qualified, you get: 🔔 Complimentary stand 🔔 Complimentary premium passes 🔔 Networking opportunities 🔔 Speaking opportunities at our dedicated theatre 🔊 Register your interest by filling out the form here: https://lnkd.in/d3g-VRTh or you can simply email me on prima.castelino@terrapinn.com. To all my #LinkedIn #connections, if you are aware of any startups that would be a fit for the showcase, feel free to re-post this article! #Fintech #SaudiArabia #DigitalTransformation #MENA #Innovation #mobilepayments #AI #banking