UAE-based fintech innovator cashew has launched Hazel, a new platform aimed at the high-value ‘pay later’ segment. The service moves beyond typical small-ticket Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) offerings to provide instant financing for significant consumer expenses in sectors like healthcare and automotive services.
Quick Facts
- Financing from AED 10,000 up to AED 150,000
- Flexible repayment tenures of up to 48 months
- Targets essential services and large lifestyle purchases
- Instant digital approvals at the point of need
Beyond Standard BNPL
While the BNPL model has seen widespread adoption across the MENA region for smaller consumer goods, Hazel is positioned as the next step in the evolution of digital credit. The platform extends the same user-friendly experience to larger, more critical expenses, addressing a clear gap in the market for accessible financing on big-ticket items.
Hazel is built on cashew’s existing technology infrastructure and integrates financing directly at the merchant’s point of sale. This model connects customers, merchants, and partner financial institutions in a single digital process, allowing merchants to receive funds quickly while offering customers immediate access to credit.
A New Category of Instant Financing
With near-instant approvals and clear terms, Hazel aims to provide a more straightforward alternative to traditional personal loans or credit cards for substantial purchases. The platform is backed by partnerships with financial institutions, providing a strong foundation for risk management and scalable funding as it expands.
“The UAE has consistently led the region to financial innovation,” said Ammar Afif, Founder and CEO of cashew and Hazel. “Large ticket BNPL has shown its success in international markets… and with a rapid gain of BNPL adoption, we believe that it will be a much-needed payment method for consumers who want an instant, hassle-free, all-digital experience.”
Afif added that this creates an “ideal launch pad for a new category of instant financing that is far simpler than applying for a traditional personal loan or using an existing credit card facility.”
About cashew
Founded in 2021, cashew is a UAE-based fintech redefining how consumers access credit through flexible, transparent digital financing solutions. By combining technology, data, and partnerships, cashew delivers lending experiences designed for today’s customers and merchants across the region.
About Hazel
Hazel is a High Value Pay Later platform that enables customers to finance essential and significant expenses with flexible repayment options and instant approvals. Built on cashew’s technology, Hazel empowers merchants across multiple industries to offer embedded financing that is simple, transparent, and scalable across the UAE and GCC.
Source: cashew
