MENA fintech funding is surging. In just two weeks, $157.6M was raised across 10 fintech startups, signaling a robust and rapidly expanding market. This update, shared by Zoë O’Dwyer on LinkedIn, is more than just a news piece—it’s a snapshot of the booming MENA fintech funding ecosystem.

O’Dwyer’s post, detailing the funding activity and the rise of fintech innovation, quickly went viral among the region’s investors, founders, and analysts. With numerous rounds closed and funding totals soaring, it’s clear that MENA fintech funding is not just growing, it’s evolving.

Background & Context of MENA Fintech Funding

Zoë O’Dwyer, a prominent voice in the MENA startup and investor community, is known for tracking venture activity and funding flows. Her posts, often featuring venture updates, offer a fast-paced view of MENA fintech funding and provide valuable insights to stakeholders in the fintech ecosystem.

In this particular update, O’Dwyer chronicled $157.6M raised across 10 different fintech startups—ranging from embedded finance to crypto compliance and B2B payments. Among the standout names: Qashio, Amwal, Hala, Manafa, Yodawy, and EdfaPay.

The post comes at a time when regulators in the region, like the Central Bank of the UAE and Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), are pushing for greater financial inclusion and digitization. This growing momentum in MENA fintech funding is helping to propel the sector forward, with significant investments fueling the next wave of innovation.

Main Takeaways / Observations on MENA Fintech Funding

1. Fintech Is Expanding Beyond Payments

The evolution of MENA fintech funding shows that the sector is diversifying. Beyond traditional wallets and neobanks, the region is witnessing a rise in embedded finance, crypto compliance tools, and vertical SaaS models that meet enterprise needs. Startups like SimpliFi, Kema, and Yodawy are leading the way with offerings that power other businesses, not just end-users.

2. B2B Fintech Is Attracting Big Bets

The landscape for MENA fintech funding has shifted, with B2B fintech platforms like Qashio and EdfaPay emerging as the new darlings of investors. These platforms cater to businesses looking for better spend management, real-time payments, and compliant infrastructure. The focus has moved from consumer fintech to enterprise-grade tools, reflecting a shift in venture capital interests.

3. KSA Leads, But Egypt Holds Its Ground

While KSA continues to dominate with large rounds raised by Manafa, EdfaPay, and Hala, Egypt is proving its worth with specialized fintech solutions. Yodawy, an Egyptian healthtech-fintech hybrid, raised $10M in a Series B extension, showcasing Egypt’s growing fintech presence. The MENA fintech funding ecosystem is a dual-track model, with KSA scaling quickly while Egypt fosters niche innovations.

4. MENA Fintech Funding Shows Resilience in a Cautious Market

Despite global capital caution, MENA fintech funding remains strong. The fact that 10 fintechs raised over $150M in just 14 days is no small feat. The common thread among these startups? A compelling value proposition that addresses real business needs—often with a focus on infrastructure rather than just consumer-facing services.

Community Reaction to MENA Fintech Funding

The post sparked significant engagement, with VCs, fintech founders, and ecosystem players praising the clarity and structure of the funding roundup. One commenter remarked:

“This is the fastest way to keep up with what’s actually getting funded in MENA fintech funding. More posts like this, please!”

Others reshared the post, offering their own insights and building a community-driven map of MENA fintech funding sentiment and growth.

Our Perspective on Legal and Strategic Insights

From a legal and strategic advisory perspective, MENA fintech funding is becoming more complex—especially for B2B platforms. For example, whether it’s embedded lending or spend management solutions, fintechs in this space need careful structuring of legal agreements—particularly when crossing borders like KSA, UAE, and Egypt.

As investors back platforms like Qashio and SimpliFi, due diligence has become more rigorous. Investors are increasingly focused on intellectual property (IP) ownership, regulatory licenses, and operational resilience.

Additionally, exit planning is becoming a priority as several of these startups scale to a point where M&A or IPO pathways are in sight. Contracts need to evolve with this growth, moving beyond early-stage SAFEs and convertible notes to more complex structures suited for larger funding rounds.

Call to Reflection or Action for MENA Fintech Ecosystem

For founders: Are your contracts as scalable as your product?

For investors: Are your due diligence practices catching regulatory exposure early enough?

For ecosystem builders: Imagine every region had a Zoë—tracking and mapping MENA fintech funding with precision and insight.

Visibility is crucial not just for celebration, but for coordination. It’s time to leverage the momentum and align the MENA fintech funding ecosystem to build a sustainable future for innovation.