When Halima Iqbal returned to Pakistan in 2017 after more than a decade in North America, she faced an unexpected challenge: opening a basic bank account proved nearly impossible. This personal experience revealed a deeper issue affecting millions of women across the country who were excluded from the financial system. For many, formal banking was inaccessible or unwelcoming, leaving them without the means to save, invest, or access credit. This realization became the driving force behind Halima’s vision to build something that bridged the gap between cultural familiarity and financial accessibility.
In 2018, Halima founded Oraan, a fintech platform inspired by Pakistan’s long-standing savings practice known as ROSCA (Rotating Savings and Credit Association). Traditionally, ROSCAs have been informal savings groups where women pool money within their trusted social circles. Halima reimagined this concept by creating a secure and digital platform that enables women to save, borrow, and invest collectively while maintaining the trust and social connection that have long been part of these community systems. Oraan’s approach ensures that financial empowerment is built on cultural understanding, offering women tools that feel familiar yet transformative in their impact.
Under Halima’s leadership, Oraan has achieved remarkable growth within a few short years. The company raised $3 million in seed funding, a major milestone for a women-led fintech in Pakistan, and launched several innovative initiatives such as the Study Now Pay Later program to support education financing. These efforts have created new avenues for women to participate in financial ecosystems and gain confidence in managing their money. Oraan’s success has not only highlighted the untapped potential within Pakistan’s female population but also shown how technology can localize global financial solutions to suit local realities.
Halima’s role extends beyond entrepreneurship. As the only female executive in the Pakistan Fintech Association, she represents a powerful voice for gender diversity and financial inclusion in an industry still dominated by men. Her work as an AVPN Gender Equality Ambassador further amplifies her influence, allowing her to advocate for inclusive financial systems on a global stage. Through her leadership, Halima continues to inspire a generation of women to take ownership of their financial futures.
Oraan’s story demonstrates how innovation rooted in cultural values can drive sustainable change. By digitizing a familiar savings tradition and turning it into a scalable fintech model, Halima Iqbal has created more than just a platform—she has opened doors for countless women across Pakistan to gain independence, confidence, and control over their finances. Her journey reflects how technology, when guided by empathy and insight, can truly empower communities and reshape the future of financial inclusion in Pakistan.
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