Top 10: FinTech Leaders MEA

In an era where financial technology is reshaping the banking landscape across the Middle East and Africa, a new generation of leaders is driving digital innovation. 

From Saudi Arabia to South Africa, these ten influential fintech executives are transforming how millions of people access and manage financial services. 

Together, they represent the diverse talent pushing the boundaries of digital banking, payments, and financial inclusion across the region.

10. Abdulaziz Al Jouf - Founder and CEO, PayTabs Group (Saudi Arabia)

Abdulaziz Al Jouf is a pioneering fintech entrepreneur from Saudi Arabia who founded PayTabs Group in 2014. Under his leadership, PayTabs has grown into a leading payment solutions provider in the Middle East and North Africa region, processing billions in transactions annually. With a background in computer science and a vision for digital transformation, Al Jouf has driven PayTabs' expansion across multiple countries, establishing partnerships with major financial institutions. His innovative approach to digital payments has earned him recognition as one of the region's most influential fintech leaders.

9. Nasser Saleh - Founder and CEO, MadfoatCom (Jordan)

Nasser Saleh is the visionary founder and CEO of MadfooatCom, Jordan's pioneering electronic payments company established in 2011. His leadership transformed bill payment services in Jordan through the creation of eFAWATEERcom, the country's national electronic bill presentment and payment system. Under Saleh's guidance, MadfooatCom has revolutionized financial transactions in Jordan, processing millions of payments annually. His entrepreneurial success has earned recognition across the Middle East, establishing him as a key figure in regional fintech innovation.

8. Hosam Arab - Co-founder and CEO, Tabby (Saudi Arabia)

Hosam Arab is the co-founder and CEO of Tabby, a leading "Buy Now, Pay Later" fintech platform in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Prior to launching Tabby in 2019, he served as CEO of Namshi, one of the region's largest fashion e-commerce platforms. Under Arab's leadership, Tabby has grown rapidly to become one of the Middle East's most valuable fintech companies, partnering with thousands of retailers and serving millions of customers across Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

7. Ashraf Sabry - CEO, Fawry (Egypt)

Ashraf Sabry is the founding CEO of Fawry, Egypt's largest e-payment network, which he established in 2008. Under his leadership, Fawry has grown into a fintech powerhouse, processing billions of transactions annually through its network of over 250,000 service points. A seasoned financial technology expert, Sabry guided Fawry to a successful IPO in 2019, making it one of Egypt's most valuable companies. His vision has transformed digital payments in Egypt, bringing financial services to millions of previously unbanked citizens.

6. Jayesh Patel - CEO, Wio Bank (UAE)

Jayesh Patel is the CEO of Wio Bank, a leading digital banking platform in the UAE launched in 2022 as a joint venture between ADQ, Alpha Dhabi, Etisalat and First Abu Dhabi Bank. With extensive experience in digital banking and fintech, Patel has spearheaded Wio's mission to transform banking services in the region. Prior to Wio, he held senior positions at various financial institutions and has been instrumental in driving digital innovation in the UAE's banking sector through Wio's personalised, tech-driven banking solutions.

5. Milkah Wachiuri, Chief Growth Officer, Cellulant

Passionate about transforming organisations, building departments from scratch and improving systems and processes to drive business growth, Milkah Wachiuri began her career as an Auditor at Deloitte. In this role, based in Nairobi, Kenya, Milkah was responsible for planning audit engagements, managing audit teams and reviewing firms across various industries. Joining Cellulant in 2012 as a Business Performance Manager, Milkah has since risen to Chief Growth Officer, where she is charged with driving organic and inorganic growth for the business. 

4. Myriam Ben Sayeh - Crypto Risk Director for EEMEA, Mastercard

Myriam Ben Sayen is Crypto Risk Director for EEMEA at Mastercard. In her role, she is responsible for the design and execution of Mastercard’s Crypto Risk & Innovation strategy in the region, leveraging her 12 years as a strategy consultant where she advised Government entities on the implementation of public policies to get the best results. With a focus on digital strategies and enablement, Myriam’s career has taken her to several leading organisations prior to joining Mastercard – including Cognizant, EY and Valyans Consulting. 

3. Nora Labuschagne - Chief Operating Officer, Sanlam Fintech (South Africa)

Based in Cape Town, South Africa, Nora Labuschagne is the Chief Operating Officer for Sanlam Fintech, a division of the diversified financial services company Sanlam. In this role, Nora is responsible for enabling Sanlam Fintech portfolios to meet their objectives, removing friction and ensuring the business leverages the power of the broader Sanlam organisation. Nora has spent over 13 years at Sanlam in a variety of roles and was formerly Chief Executive of Client and Intermediary Experience before assuming her latest position. 

2. Aalya Ghouli - Head of Fintech, GreenTech and Startups in Africa, BNP Paribas (Morocco)

Aalya Ghouli is Head of Fintech, GreenTech and Startups in Africa for BNP Paribas. Based in Casablanca, Ghouli assumed the role after 15 years at BMCI Groupe BNP Paribas, where she started out as a General Secretary Project Coordinator in 2008 before rising to become General Director of DIGIFI & DIGISERV. Aalya’s career has seen her amass 25 years of experience in the Moroccan and African fintech sector, with positions held at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and PwC.

1. Wajeeha H. Awadh - Chief Digital Officer, Al Baraka Group (Bahrain)

Specialising in project management, fintech, technology management, banking and PMO, Wajeeha H. Awadh is the Chief Digital Officer of Al Baraka Group. A graduate of four different universities – including Montana State University, Staffordshire University, Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation and University of the West of Scotland – Wajeeha has been at Al Baraka Group for over eight years. Prior to taking the role of Chief Digital Officer, she was Head of Section for Digital Banking & Fintech and part of the Digitalisation & FinTech Initiatives team. Based in Bahrain, Wajeeha is a member of the BAB Digitization Committee as part of the Bahrain Association of Banks, and an External Advisory Board Member for the College of Business Finance at Ahlia University. 

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