Egypt’s fintech unicorn MNT-Halan has secured a fresh equity investment from Al Ahly Capital, the investment arm of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), in a landmark transaction that values the company at US$1.4 billion.
While the size of the investment was not disclosed, the deal marks a significant milestone for one of the Middle East and Africa’s fastest-growing financial technology companies, reinforcing investor confidence in its business model and long-term expansion strategy.
Since its founding in 2018, the company has evolved from a local fintech startup into a regional financial powerhouse, disbursing more than US$15.5 billion in loans, serving over 8 million customers globally, and building a digital ecosystem that spans lending, payments, consumer finance, and e-commerce.
The latest investment is expected to strengthen the company’s position in Egypt while supporting its ambitions to expand further across the Gulf region and other international markets.
What Does MNT-Halan Do?
MNT-Halan was established with a clear objective, to digitally bank populations that have historically been excluded from formal financial systems and reduce reliance on cash transactions.
The company operates a comprehensive digital financial ecosystem that enables users to access a wide range of services through a single platform. These services include small and micro-business lending, digital payments, consumer financing, and e-commerce solutions.
By leveraging technology, MNT-Halan provides financial products to individuals and entrepreneurs who may have limited access to traditional banking services.
Its model has been particularly impactful in markets where millions of people remain unbanked or underbanked.
Through its digital infrastructure, the company has created pathways for small business owners, informal traders, and low-income consumers to access credit, make payments electronically, and participate in the broader digital economy.
The company’s mission aligns with broader efforts across Africa and the Middle East to increase financial inclusion and accelerate digital transformation.
MNT-Halan’s Size and Market Capacity
Over the past seven years, MNT-Halan has established itself as one of the region’s most influential fintech players.
According to the company, it has disbursed more than US$15.5 billion in loans since inception and served over 8 million customers globally. More than 2.3 million active customers engage with its ecosystem every quarter, while its mobile application has surpassed 10 million downloads.
These figures underscore the scale of MNT-Halan’s operations and the growing demand for alternative financial services in emerging markets. The company has also demonstrated an ability to attract substantial capital from investors and debt markets.
In October last year, MNT-Halan completed its seventh securitised bond issuance, raising EGP3.4 billion (US$71.4 million), further strengthening its balance sheet and lending capacity.
Today, the company operates across multiple markets, including Egypt and Turkey. It also owns a specialised bank in Pakistan focused on supporting micro and small businesses and has been active in the
United Arab Emirates since 2024. Its geographic footprint reflects a deliberate strategy to build a regional financial services network capable of serving diverse customer segments across emerging economies.
What to Know About the Investment
The latest investment was led by Al Ahly Capital following the completion of all required regulatory approvals, making it one of the most notable fintech transactions in Egypt this year.
The significance of the deal extends beyond the valuation itself. While MNT-Halan has worked with more than 30 Egyptian banks and financial institutions over the years, this marks the first time a commercial bank has taken an ownership stake in the company.
Commenting on the development, Mounir Nakhla, Founder and Chairman of MNT-Halan, described the investment as a defining moment in the company’s growth journey.
“I am extremely happy to have Al Ahly Capital, the investment subsidiary of Egypt’s largest bank, as a shareholder in the company.
“While we have partnered with more than 30 Egyptian banks and financial institutions, this is the first time a commercial bank has become an equity partner in our journey, making this a particularly important milestone for us,” he said.
Nakhla added that the partnership would help accelerate the company’s efforts to improve access to financial services across underserved communities.
“Together, we will redefine access to financial services for small and micro businesses, as well as people living in remote towns and villages across Egypt who have historically been underserved,” he stated.
How the Company Plans to Use the Money
MNT-Halan intends to deploy most of the proceeds from the investment to expand its operations within Egypt while simultaneously supporting its broader regional growth ambitions.
The company sees significant opportunities to deepen its presence in its home market by reaching additional customers, expanding its lending activities, and introducing more digital financial products.
At the same time, it plans to strengthen its expansion efforts across the Gulf region, where demand for innovative financial technology solutions continues to rise.
The funding is expected to provide the company with greater flexibility to invest in technology, customer acquisition, product development, and market expansion initiatives as competition intensifies within the fintech sector.
By combining fresh capital with strategic support from one of Egypt’s most influential financial institutions, MNT-Halan is positioning itself to accelerate growth while reinforcing its leadership in digital financial services.
Why This Investment is Important
The transaction highlights a broader trend reshaping financial services across Africa and the Middle East, the growing convergence of traditional banking institutions and fintech companies.
For years, fintech startups have challenged conventional banking models by offering faster, more accessible, and technology-driven financial solutions. Increasingly, however, banks are recognising the value of partnering with these companies rather than competing against them.
Nakhla noted that MNT-Halan’s impact extends far beyond financial transactions.
“Over the years, we have helped more than 4 million individuals and business owners grow their operations and meet their families’ financial needs, enabled them to buy their first smartphones and step into the digital world, and provided financing for a wide range of vehicles for both commercial and personal use,” he said.
“This investment is a powerful vote of confidence and a testament to the strong ties between the banking sector and the NBFI space.”
Karim Saada, CEO and Managing Director of Al Ahly Capital, echoed that sentiment, describing MNT-Halan as one of the region’s leading fintech and non-bank financial services platforms.
“Over the years, MNT-Halan has established itself as one of the region’s leading fintech and non-bank financial services platforms, successfully building a diversified ecosystem that serves millions of customers and addresses critical gaps in financial inclusion,” Saada said.
He further emphasised the strategic rationale behind the investment, noting that non-bank financial services play a critical role in supporting underserved segments of the economy and driving sustainable growth in emerging markets.
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