The North African fintech landscape is undergoing a radical transformation, fueled by a young, digitally-native population and a surge in mobile penetration. While traditional banking access remains a challenge—with penetration rates as low as 32% in Libya and 42% in Egypt—the rise of smartphone usage is bridging the gap. With subscriptions in the MENA region projected to hit 710 million by 2030, a new generation of startups is leveraging regulatory sandboxes and government initiatives like “Digital Morocco 2030” to redefine financial services. From Cairo to Casablanca, these six innovators are the ones to watch as they scale across the continent and beyond in 2026.
MNT-Halan Dominates The Super App Race
Founded in 2018, MNT-Halan has rapidly ascended to become Egypt’s first fintech unicorn. The company provides a comprehensive digital ecosystem that includes business and consumer loans, prepaid cards, and e-commerce services. Having already disbursed over $11 billion in loans, MNT-Halan is not slowing down; the firm aims to grow its financing portfolio to $5 billion by the end of 2026. With strategic expansions into Turkey, Pakistan, and the UAE, founder Mounir Nakhla is eyeing a regional IPO and a path toward “decacorn” status within the next decade.
Paymob Powers The Merchant Economy
Paymob has established itself as the backbone of digital payments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Egypt and the broader MENA-P region. Its infrastructure allows over 390,000 merchants to accept more than 60 payment methods, ranging from standard bank cards to mobile wallets and QR codes. Recent strategic alliances with SIDEUP and Robusta Technology Group highlight Paymob’s commitment to integrating AI and flexible installment options into the retail experience, solidifying its role as a critical enabler of the region’s digital transformation.
Khazna Scales Underbanked Solutions
Targeting the underserved segments of the Egyptian population, Khazna has evolved into a financial super app that replaces traditional cash-based interactions. The platform offers digital payments, microloans, and a popular salary-advance feature. With a fresh $16 million in pre-Series B funding, Khazna is currently pursuing a digital banking license in Egypt and actively expanding its footprint into Saudi Arabia. Its model of providing “Your Money, Now” has already attracted half a million users, positioning it for massive growth in 2026.
SehaTech Automates The Health Insurance Vertical
Egypt’s SehaTech is tackling the inefficiencies of the health insurance industry through an AI-centered automation platform. By digitizing the workflows of approvals and claims, SehaTech reduces administrative friction between insurers and healthcare providers. Following a $1.1 million Seed round in late 2025, the startup is scaling its digital third-party administrator (TPA) services and its “SehaCash” discount card, which provides uninsured individuals with access to reduced-rate healthcare across its provider network.
Chari Digitizes Morocco’s Informal Retail
Chari is revolutionizing how “mom-and-pop” shops operate in Francophone Africa. By combining a B2B e-commerce marketplace with embedded financial services, Chari allows retailers to order inventory and access working capital through a single app. In a landmark move, Chari became the first venture-backed startup in Morocco to receive a payment institution license from the central bank. This enables the firm to offer IBANs, debit cards, and remittances to its network of over 20,000 food businesses.
Flouci Drives Financial Inclusion In Tunisia
Tunisia’s Flouci, operated by Kaoun, is a digital banking trailblazer that allows users to open bank accounts and manage wallets entirely online. The app’s ecosystem supports P2P transfers, instant merchant payments via QR codes, and utility bill settlements. With over 250,000 active accounts and a strategic partnership with Orange Tunisia, Flouci has become a cornerstone of the Tunisian digital economy. Its recognition in major fintech leaderboards underscores its potential to lead the Francophone African market in 2026.
Source: Fintechnews Middle East
