Dubai — Once labelled an emerging market, the MENA region has rapidly transformed into a thriving global Fintech hub. With trailblazing regulations, deep public-private collaboration, and a culture of innovation, the region is now setting benchmarks in digital finance. On this World Fintech Day, all eyes are on MENA—not just for participation, but for leadership in the Fintech revolution.
Over the past five years, MENA has demonstrated exponential growth across digital payments, AI-powered financial services, open banking frameworks, and tokenised assets. According to a 2025 Finextra Insights report, Fintech investments in the region surpassed USD 6.1 billion in H1 alone—a 37% year-on-year rise—driven by funding rounds in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The study also highlights that 65% of consumers in the region now prefer digital-first financial services, a sharp increase from 44% in 2022.
Driving this momentum is the MENA Fintech Association (MFTA), an organisation pivotal in connecting industry regulators, financial institutions, and Fintech innovators under a unified vision. Through its expanding regional chapters across Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Africa, MFTA has become the cornerstone of Fintech policy advocacy and ecosystem development.
“The MENA region has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to set new benchmarks for financial innovation,” said Nameer Khan, Chairman, MFTA.
“By aligning regulation with innovation and fostering collaboration across borders, we at MFTA are shaping not just a regional success story, but a global one.”
This year’s spotlight also falls on the importance of robust cybersecurity amid growing digitalisation. Fintechs, while known for their cutting-edge tech stacks, face increasingly complex threats from AI-driven attacks.
“Fintechs are often seen as cybersecurity trailblazers,” noted Mohammed Al-Moneer, Sr. Regional Director, Middle East, Turkey & Africa at Infoblox. “But perceived cybersecurity maturity does not equal immunity. Attackers are getting faster and smarter, often using AI to write malicious code or detect vulnerabilities more efficiently.”
Al-Moneer emphasised the need to revisit foundational tools. “DNS is more than just internet plumbing. It offers one of the most efficient early warning systems against cyber threats, providing deep visibility into malicious activity without operational overhead. For fintechs navigating high stakes and relentless attacks, DNS could be the edge that keeps them ahead of the game.”
The 2025 Fintech Outlook by MEED echoes this sentiment, reporting that 73% of MENA Fintechs plan to increase investments in cyber resilience tools this year. Moreover, initiatives like the UAE’s AI-Powered Compliance Sandbox and Saudi Arabia’s Fintech Saudi accelerator are embedding security and innovation into the DNA of regional Fintechs.
The convergence of bold regulation, technological innovation, and regional collaboration is now positioning MENA as an exportable model for global Fintech success. On this World Fintech Day, the region’s message is clear: Fintech is not just an industry—it is a movement, and MENA is shaping its next frontier.
