Across the GCC and MENA region, the debate inside bank boardrooms has shifted in a very visible way. Two approaches dominate: modernize the legacy core, or build a parallel greenfield … Read more
As cross-border payment volumes surge across MEA, the compliance architecture underneath them is buckling. Structured data and intelligent automation are no longer optional upgrades, they are the only viable foundation … Read more
Send $200 across borders through a traditional bank. By the time it arrives, you’ve lost up to $10 in fees alone, before a single product ships. Now imagine that friction … Read more
For most of the past decade, ESG sat comfortably in the “later” pile for many fintechs. A sustainability page on the website, a few lines in an annual report, perhaps … Read more
1. The Context: Why Now? The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is currently witnessing a tectonic shift in its financial landscape. What was once a cash-heavy society has … Read more
Dubai, UAE – October 20, 2025 – TheBlock. is thrilled to announce that the MENA Fintech Association (MFTA), the inclusive non-profit platform driving fintech innovation across the Middle East and … Read more
RIYADH’S BIG BET PAID OFF Riyadh. Three days. A new center of gravity. Money20/20’s first Middle East edition landed in Riyadh on Sept 15–17. The scale was real. So were … Read more
Abstract Across MENA fintech innovation is increasingly pulled forward by policy, payments infrastructure, and founder capability; not just by capital availability. In 2024, total MENA startup funding landed at roughly … Read more
If you’re working in fintech in the Middle East today, you’ve probably heard a lot of talk about sustainability. It’s in investor meetings, strategy slides, and increasingly—customer expectations. But here’s … Read more
The financial sector is evolving, and fintech has the power to drive change, not just react to it. In this new era, the winners won’t just be the fastest or … Read more
