One Network,
Every Stakeholder
MFTA was founded in 2018 and is registered under Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). It was established to give MENA's fintech sector and its regulators a structured way to work together, instead of operating in separate rooms.
Today, MFTA gives banks and fintechs that would otherwise compete a reason to solve shared problems together. It gives startups direct access to regulators instead of secondhand guesses at their priorities, and it gives MENA's fintech sector a single voice when it speaks to the rest of the world.
Across the region, 22 markets are reforming payments infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and digital financial systems at the same time. Central banks, commercial banks, fintechs, and investors are all driving pieces of that process, and none of them can coordinate it alone. MFTA exists to be that coordination point.
Meet our leadership →MENA Fintech Association
Foundations laid during FinTech Abu Dhabi 2018; ADGM was an early institutional supporter/adviser.
Formal Public Launch
MFTA formally launched at ADGM, with various regulators, regional & global stakeholders present.
Open Banking Working Group
MFTA's Open Banking WG was already producing its first regional Open Banking work in 2020; its Open Finance successor work was published in 2021.
SHIFT / Payments Working Group
SHIFT was the MFTA Payments Working Group and produced its five-volume Guide to Payments series in 2022. MFTA then reignited/relaunched SHIFT in January 2024.
Sustainable Fintech Alliance
Officially launched as an MFTA core initiative, with ADGM, DIFC and LIBF involved.
Inaugural MENA Fintech Awards
The Awards launch with 7 categories, marking the start of the region's flagship fintech recognition platform.
Future of Finance & AI
Launched as an MFTA Future of Finance vertical with Ronit Ghose as Industry Chair.
Digital Assets Working Group
Launched with Miriam Kiwan and Mo Ali Yusuf as co-chairs.
Bridge Fintech Marketing WG
Established with Eric Fulwiler as Chair.
The MFTA Scholorship Program
Scholarships worth USD 3,000/- offered to 50 students
Policy & Regulations WG
MFTA publicly called this the region's first dedicated Policy & Regulations WG.
The Sustainable Fintech Pledge
MFTA launches the Sustainable Fintech Pledge with the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment
MENA Fintech Awards, 2nd Edition
The Awards grow to 8 categories in their second year, reflecting the region's expanding fintech landscape.
MENA Fintech Awards, 3rd Edition
Category count nearly doubles to 14, the Awards' fastest year of growth to date.
Digital Banking Working Group
MFTA announced the Digital Banking WG as a new initiative, led by Tom Romanski and Sophie Guibaud.
Future of Finance & AI
MFTA announced the Digital Banking WG as a new initiative, led by Tom Romanski and Sophie Guibaud.
MENA Fintech Awards, 4th Edition
Categories expand further to 17, cementing the Awards as the region's leading fintech recognition platform.
Policy & Regulation Council
The Council was first launched at Investopia 2023 with Ministry of Economy participation; it was formally constituted as the Policy & Regulation WG in January 2026.
MENA Fintech Awards, 5th Edition
The Awards return for a fifth year, with nominations opening soon.