Maalexi, a UAE-based fintech focused on agriculture and food trade, has secured a shariah-compliant credit facility of up to $20 million from Amwal Capital Partners. The deal begins with an initial $5 million tranche and marks a significant step in the company’s mission to build smarter, more resilient food supply chains across the region.
Empowering Food and Agri-SMEs
Founded in 2021 by Dr. Azam Pasha and Rohit Majhi, Maalexi provides a platform for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in food and agriculture to access cross-border trade with greater safety and efficiency.
The platform integrates risk management, compliance, logistics, and financing tools into one system. By doing so, it enables SMEs to reduce uncertainty, access capital, and engage in global trade flows that were once out of reach.
Key benefits of Maalexi’s platform include:
- Direct Market Access – SMEs connect seamlessly to cross-border buyers and sellers.
- Risk Reduction – Proprietary systems mitigate risks related to quality, payment, and delivery.
- Secure Transactions – Blockchain-backed automation ensures transparency and trust.
- Scalability – Tech-driven processes handle thousands of small-ticket trades efficiently.
Technology at the Core
The credit facility is supported by a tech-enabled securitisation structure, collateralised against Maalexi’s inventory and receivables. Real-time tracking of daily risk positions allows swift execution of trades.
The company’s proprietary stack integrates:
- AI – For predictive risk intelligence and smarter decision-making.
- IoT – For real-time monitoring, trackability, and traceability.
- Blockchain – For secure documentation and immutable transaction records.
Future plans include partnerships with Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives, enabling direct sourcing from origin markets. An upcoming tokenisation layer will also allow near-instant payments and settlements.
Scaling in the GCC
With the UAE importing nearly $24 billion worth of food annually, much of it re-exported to meet regional demand, the role of SMEs in food security is becoming critical. Maalexi’s solution addresses this gap by empowering smaller businesses to contribute effectively to the GCC’s food ecosystem.
The funding will be used to:
- Expand operations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
- Support thousands of SMEs with better access to trade and financing.
- Advance technology to make food procurement faster, more secure, and more transparent.
Strategic Backing
Amwal Capital’s involvement goes beyond financing, it positions the firm as a strategic partner. According to Sharif Eid, Head of Private Credit at Amwal:
“Maalexi’s technology and operational controls set a new benchmark for scaling agri-trade. This is precisely the type of impactful business we are committed to supporting.”
Fadi Arbid, CIO at Amwal Capital Partners, added:
“By providing non-traditional, asset-backed capital, we are enabling transformation in a vital sector, food security.”
Looking Ahead
Maalexi’s $20 million facility follows its earlier $3 million debt finance agreement with Citi. With strong capital support and a powerful technology stack, the company is set to play a central role in shaping the region’s food trade, making supply chains more resilient, transparent, and efficient.