As part of an ambitious regional development strategy, Fawry for Banking Technology and Electronic Payments, a pioneer in Egypt’s fintech scene, is looking to expand to Saudi Arabia.
The action aligns with the organisation’s overarching goal of expanding its investing, lending, and insurance services offerings while tapping into the Egyptian market.
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Fawry’s investment fund of EGP 1.3 billion
Fawry’s daily investment fund has grown to EGP 1.3 billion, according to Ashraf Sabry, the company’s founder and CEO.
The fund, introduced in early 2022 in collaboration with Misr Capital, was Fawry’s foray into providing investment services to private investors.
The business now intends to incorporate asset manager investment products straight into its mobile application in order to build on this success.
Sabry emphasised Fawry’s dedication to growing its clientele to include medium-sized businesses, a market the company considers “promising.”
Fawry has onboarded over 700 of these companies throughout Egypt’s governorates in the last 12 months.
Plans are underway to improve the company’s insurance and loan offerings for this underprivileged group.
Fawry’s digital banking ambition
Fawry’s exploration into digital banking is one of its more revolutionary projects. According to Sabry, the business is still considering opening a digital bank, which would put it in line with other international fintechs venturing into the banking industry.
When discussing its possible entry into Saudi Arabia, Sabry underlined the importance of thorough planning. He stated, “The Saudi market is very competitive and requires a lot of preparation,” suggesting that Fawry is thinking about forming alliances to make its entry easier.
Fawry’s services have enormous potential in Saudi Arabia, which is home to the largest Egyptian expatriate community, especially in the areas of financial inclusion and remittances.
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Fawry’s strategic move to leverage on thriving Egyptian diasporans
An estimated 14 million Egyptians live abroad, and they have grown to be a vital part of the nation’s economy.
Remittance inflows in September 2024 alone totalled $2.7 billion, more than twice as much as the $1.3 billion in September 2023.
These monies are essential for supporting Egypt’s foreign exchange reserves in the face of persistent economic difficulties, such as rising debt and inflation. An important factor in this equation is Saudi Arabia.
Services that make remittances easier, such as Bank Al Jazira’s FAWRI Money Transfer, are widely used by its Egyptian expatriate population.
By using its technologically advanced platform to gain market share, Fawry hopes to compete in this profitable industry.