Egypt Edition 
MENA+ Edition 
UAE Edition 
Saudi Edition 
MENA <> India Corridor 
Logistics (MENA) 
Climate (MENA) 
Share
Read Full Issue 
Local fintech unicorn MNT-Halan reached a USD 1.4 bn valuation after securing the first close of a strategic investment round led by Al Ahly Capital Holding, according to a company statement (pdf). Al Ahly Capital — the investment arm of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) with over USD 2.5 bn in assets under management — did not disclose the size of the investment or the stake acquired. A second close is currently in the works as part of the ongoing round.
Where the money is going: The company will channel the bulk of the proceeds into expanding its Egypt business, targeting SMEs and historically underserved populations in remote towns and villages. The funds will also back the company’s ongoing regional growth plans, including into new markets across the Gulf region.
Why it matters: Banks have long funded non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs), and now the NBE is directly buying into one. While MNT-Halan has worked with over 30 Egyptian banks and financing institutions, this is the first time a commercial bank has become an equity partner, MNT-Halan founder and chairman Mounir Nakhla says in the statement. We will be closely watching to see if other lenders follow suit, especially after the CBE tightened oversight over how banks fund NBFIs.
DATA POINT- The transaction comes as consumer finance volumes climbed 57% y-o-y to EGP 96.3 bn by end-2025, while financing to MSMEs and microfinance clients rose 24% to EGP 106.9 bn. For MNT-Halan, the latest round follows a USD 157.7 mn raise in July 2024 that was earmarked for its international expansion.
MNT-Halan says it has provided more than USD 15.5 bn in financing since launch, serving over 8 mn customers globally with a comprehensive NBFI and e-wallet license stack. The company’s regional expansion accelerated in 2024 after it acquired Advans Pakistan Microfinance Bank and Turkish commercial finance company Tam Finans. It also launched Halan Advance in the UAE in late 2024 to target the country’s underbanked expatriate community.
ADVISORS- Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy acted as counsel, and Al Ahly Pharos served as financial advisor to MNT-Halan. Meanwhile, Van Campen Liem acted as counsel to Al Ahly Capital, and Baker Tilly served as its financial and tax advisor.
