Egyptian fintech giant MNT-Halan has entered the UAE market, bringing innovative financial solutions to underserved communities and marking its next growth phase.
From Ride-Hailing to Fintech Powerhouse
MNT-Halan’s journey began in 2018 as a ride-hailing platform. However, after a strategic merger with MNT Investments B.V., the company pivoted into a financial super app. Today, it offers lending, digital payments, and e-commerce solutions, making financial services accessible to the unbanked and underbanked.
By 2023, MNT-Halan achieved unicorn status and became Egypt’s seventh-largest financial institution. Now, with a presence in Egypt, Turkey, Pakistan, and the UAE, the fintech leader is scaling its operations across emerging markets.
A Fintech Ecosystem Empowering Millions
MNT-Halan provides microloans of up to $3,950, with approvals in just three days. It holds a 25% market share in Egypt’s microfinance sector and offers BNPL, payroll lending, and SME loans.
Its digital payments services include peer-to-peer transfers and a digital wallet, while its e-commerce platform caters to home appliances and FMCGs. This ecosystem enables both businesses and individuals to borrow, pay, and invest with ease.
So far, the company has disbursed over $11 billion in loans, with an outstanding loan book of $1.2 billion. With plans to grow by 50% annually, MNT-Halan is rapidly expanding its financial footprint.
Why the UAE? Unlocking Financial Access
MNT-Halan entered the UAE in December 2024 under the brand Halan UAE. The company launched Halan Advance, a salary financing solution that gives employees early access to their wages.
“We’ve already issued over 100,000 earned wage access loans, filling a critical gap in under six months. The UAE has a developed fintech sector, but many blue- and pink-collar workers remain underbanked. We aim to change that.”
— Mounir Nakhla, Co-founder & CEO, MNT-Halan
The UAE expansion aligns with the company’s strategy of adapting financial solutions to local needs. In Egypt, it tackled the unbanked population with mobile-based lending. For Turkey, it addressed business financing gaps. In Pakistan, it focused on microfinance for small business owners and women entrepreneurs.
Aiming for 250,000 UAE Customers by 2025
MNT-Halan has acquired over 100,000 customers in the UAE and is on track to reach 250,000 users and disburse over AED 350 million in loans by the end of 2025.
The company’s UAE roadmap includes:
- Scaling salary financing and microloans for the underbanked
- Launching “Send Now, Pay Later”, a remittance service with installment options
- Expanding through partnerships with payroll providers and exchange houses
“Our goal is clear: to redefine financial access in the UAE with innovative, tech-driven solutions that empower individuals and businesses.”
With AI-driven credit models and a scalable fintech infrastructure, MNT-Halan is positioned to revolutionize financial inclusion in the region.
Beyond Unicorn Status – The Road to a Decacorn
For MNT-Halan, becoming a unicorn wasn’t the end goal—it was just the beginning.
“Unicorn status was never the aim; it was just a byproduct of our focus on sustainable growth. Now, it only feels right to go after a decacorn. After all, 10 is a much nicer number than one.”
With its global expansion, cutting-edge fintech solutions, and a mission to empower underserved communities, MNT-Halan is setting new benchmarks for financial innovation in emerging markets.
