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MENA Fintech Sector Set To Reach $2.4B By 2029

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

The fintech sector in the MENA region remained a dominant force in 2024, accounting for 30% of total investments. Despite an overall 42% drop in startup funding, MENA’s fintech ecosystem proved resilient, securing $2.3 billion in investments, according to Wamda. The UAE led the region with $1.1 billion across 207 startups, followed by Saudi Arabia ($700 million), Egypt ($334 million), and Oman ($41.5 million).

Key Investment Trends And Funding Breakdown

Fintech not only led in funding but also in deal count, raising $700 million across 119 startups. In Egypt and the UAE, fintech topped the funding charts, while in Saudi Arabia, software-as-a-service (SaaS) secured the largest share. Investor interest varied by country, with fintech leading in the UAE ($265 million for 47 deals), Web 3.0 second ($255 million), and proptech third ($197 million). In Saudi Arabia, SaaS attracted $177 million, followed by fintech at $171 million. Egypt’s fintech sector secured $237 million, fueled by the country’s large, underserved population of 112 million people. The late 2024 launch of Apple Pay and Google Pay further accelerated digital payment adoption in Egypt.

Government Support And Regulatory Growth

Regulatory support has been crucial in fostering fintech growth across the region. A Visa report noted that 71% of fintech firms in the GCC and Levant credit government initiatives, including regulatory sandboxes, financial inclusion programs, and investments in digital infrastructure.

AI And Future Growth Areas

AI is becoming an increasingly critical component, with 73% of fintech companies considering it essential for future development. Payments remain the most promising segment, followed by Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), AI, Web3, stablecoins, CBDCs, crypto, and open banking.

Funding Highlights And Projections

Notable funding rounds in 2024 include Egypt’s MNT-Halan securing $157.5 million, Saudi Arabia’s Lean Technologies raising $67.5 million, and the UAE’s CredibleX securing $55 million in seed funding. Additionally, Tabby raised $160 million in February 2025, bringing its valuation to $3.3 billion.

Looking ahead, MENA’s fintech funding is projected to reach $2.4 billion by 2029, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Egypt leading the charge. Regional growth is a top priority, with 90% of fintech firms targeting the UAE and Saudi Arabia due to their large market sizes, favorable regulations, and funding support.

With continued regulatory reforms, investment, and cross-border expansion, MENA’s fintech sector is poised to redefine the global financial landscape, becoming a leader in innovation and digital finance.

Cyprus Expected Working Life Reaches 39.5 Years, Above EU Average

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

People in Cyprus are expected to spend 39.5 years in the workforce, around two years longer than the European Union average of 37.5 years, according to the latest Eurostat data for 2025.

The figure places Cyprus among the EU countries with the longest expected working lives.

Cyprus Ranks Above EU Average

Only a handful of member states recorded higher figures than Cyprus. The Netherlands topped the ranking at 44 years, followed by Sweden at 43.4 years, Denmark at 42.6 years, and Estonia at 41.5 years.

At the other end of the ranking were Romania with 32.7 years, Italy with 33.0 years, Bulgaria with 34.6 years and Greece with 35.3 years.

Gender Gap Remains Wider Than EU Average

Men in Cyprus are expected to remain in work for 42.1 years, compared with 36.7 years for women. The gap of 5.4 years exceeds the EU average gender gap of 4.1 years.

Across the bloc, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia were the only countries where women were expected to spend longer in employment than men. Finland recorded the smallest positive gender gap at 0.7 years.

Italy posted the widest gap at 8.9 years, followed by Romania at 6.9 years, Greece at 6.7 years and Malta at 6.3 years.

Working Lives Continue To Lengthen

Between 2016 and 2025, expected working life in Cyprus increased by 3.5 years, placing the country among the strongest performers in the EU over the period. Men’s expected working life rose by 3.3 years, while women’s increased by 3.6 years.

Across the EU, every member state recorded an increase. Malta posted the largest gain at 4.9 years, followed by Hungary and Ireland at 4.2 years each, and the Netherlands at 4.1 years.

Malta’s increase was driven largely by women, whose expected working life rose by 7.8 years, the biggest increase recorded across the bloc.

By comparison, Romania, Spain, Italy, Germany and Austria recorded gains of two years or less over the same period.

Women’s Working Lives Increase Faster Across Europe

Women’s expected working life increased faster than men’s in most EU countries. Denmark, Romania, Sweden and Greece were the main exceptions.

In Cyprus, gains for men and women were broadly similar, alongside Bulgaria, Belgium and Slovenia.

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