Pakistani fintech companies are intensifying their focus on Saudi Arabia, drawn by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 digital transformation goals and supported by the latest Pak-Saudi defence and strategic pacts. Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Pakistan’s growing IT sector has the potential to integrate more deeply with Saudi Arabia’s broader commercial and defence relations. Speaking as Chief Guest at the inaugural session of the 26th ITCN Asia, she emphasised that Pakistan’s IT sector is building its capacity to emerge as a key regional player and a data transshipment hub for countries including China and Central Asia.
Money 20/20, a leading global fintech event recently held in Riyadh as part of Saudi Arabia’s drive to attract foreign investment, served as a prominent platform for Pakistani companies. Fifteen Pakistani firms showcased their solutions and services, securing multiple business deals and joint ventures with regional and international partners. Fahad Sajjad, CEO of Pakistan Fintech Network (PFN), noted that the event acted as a launchpad for Pakistani fintechs to establish partnerships, attract investors, expand into Gulf markets and enhance their global credibility. He said these companies are engaging with service operators and manufacturing firms present at the event while also drawing insights from successful fintech models worldwide.
At the same event, Pakistani-origin fintech ABHI, which already operates in the MENA region, announced a partnership with TRAY, a cloud-based point-of-sale and business management platform in Saudi Arabia. The collaboration aims to introduce Earned Wage Access services to the Kingdom’s fast-growing food and beverage sector. Omair Ansari, CEO and Co-founder of ABHI, stated that integrating this service into TRAY’s platform would enable SMEs to improve workforce retention and advance financial inclusion in line with Vision 2030’s objectives of sustainable growth and digital transformation. This agreement represents a significant step for Pakistani fintech presence in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry.
Saudi Arabia has in recent months strengthened bilateral ties with Pakistan at both strategic and commercial levels, creating favourable conditions for fintech and IT sector collaboration. Pakistan joined the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) in 2024, headquartered in Riyadh, further cementing its engagement in the regional digital ecosystem. The Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) has also set up a dedicated help desk to streamline registration for Pakistani companies, resulting in more than 100 Pakistani tech entities establishing themselves in the Saudi market. Analysts like Ibrahim Amin view participation in events such as Money 20/20 as a strong business strategy, noting that Gulf countries are actively investing in fintech, digital transformation and collaborative ventures.
Saad Shah, CEO of Hexalyze, said Saudi Arabia is an attractive and relatively accessible market for Pakistani IT and fintech firms, especially with facilitation systems introduced in recent years for Pakistani entrepreneurs and professionals. He pointed out that Saudi cities like NEOM present opportunities for financial technology solutions from Pakistan. The availability of qualified human resources, particularly Pakistani immigrants already in the Kingdom, makes it easier for Pakistan-based companies to set up operations. In the last two years, several Pakistani IT companies and fintech operators have opened offices or subsidiaries in Saudi Arabia to tap into these opportunities, reflecting a sustained push to establish a presence in one of the region’s most dynamic markets.
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